More than a fleeting connection.

Fleeting, invisible, full of power:
VOCs – they sound like pollution. But they are actually a source of energy. Used correctly, they can be transformed from an environmental problem into an energy source, demonstrating how innovation can turn air into something great.

VOC-Emissionen vermeiden, Energie gewinnen: Innovative Abluft- und Lösemittelrückgewinnung macht Produktion effizient, nachhaltig und klimafreundlich.

Shape-shifting VOCs: Discover the hidden energy source behind clean production. Invisible, transformative and full of positive power.

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How does the newly hatched turtle know that it has to crawl into the water immediately to avoid falling prey to predators on land? Instinct. Its behaviour is a kind of genetic programme that runs automatically. An inner drive. And that’s how we feel about innovation. Almost instinctively, we are always looking for the best solution. If it doesn’t exist yet, we’ll develop it. Our – let’s call it innovation instinct – takes hold with every task. And this also applies to VOCs. Excited to learn more?

From the paint shop to climate neutrality: we don’t dispose of VOCs, we convert them into valuable energy – using unique technology, clear sustainability standards and innovative strength.

Challenge: Solving solvents

Coatings are part of our everyday lives, but they have some environmental impacts. On the one hand, a lot of energy is needed to dry the coatings. Secondly, most coatings contain solvents, aka volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to the formation of ozone and smog. If VOCs are disposed of incorrectly, they can pollute soil and water. So what do you do with the solvents that are produced as a waste product during the coating process? The most common solution is burning them. However, this requires additional primary energy. Our solution: to convert them into usable energy.

The air is clear …

We have developed our own solvent and waste heat recovery process, which so far is the only one of its kind in the industry. Here’s how it works: the energy from the warm process exhaust air is kept in the process via a heat exchanger. The volatile solvents are completely extracted from the exhaust air and then converted into electricity and heat via a combined heat and power plant – and thus utilised directly within the company. By transforming the VOCs into something good, namely new energy, we avoid VOC emissions completely. In summary: our exhaust air is clean – just like our conscience.

Summary: Lots of positive energy!

We combine various technologies for our sustainable energy recycling concept: a combined heat and power plant with green façade, heat pump systems with integrated heat exchangers and, last but not least, photovoltaics on the roof. The better our production is utilised, the more VOCs are produced and the more recycled energy can be returned to our company – a beautiful cycle! Our sophisticated overall system reduces electricity and heating costs and CO₂ emissions. In other words, we are making great strides towards our goal of climate neutrality.

What’s next? – Sunny prospects

Once a pioneer, always a pioneer. This applies not only to our technologically sophisticated top products, which set new standards in many markets and industries, but also to our energy efficiency standards. We want to set an example here throughout Europe. We are therefore working flat-out to achieve the following goals.

1) Short-term: the electricity still required – and not generated by photovoltaics or a combined heat and power plant – is to come from purely renewable energies.

2) Medium term: further reduction in the quantities of natural gas required.

3) Long term: switch to coating systems and processes with reduced or no solvent content.

Our path is clear: we are heading for the future – sustainably, innovatively and with full energy.

Silcos, 1 January 2026