Baking tradition meets innovation
Traditional company Kuchenmeister covers high energy demand with 2G technology
Facts & figures
Founded in 1884, Kuchenmeister GmbH is widely known for its first-class baked goods. The company proudly maintains its long tradition and has invested in modern, sustainable energy solutions, with environmental friendliness and regional responsibility playing an important role. Founded as a small craft bakery, Kuchenmeister GmbH is now one of the largest family-run companies in North Rhine-Westphalia with an annual turnover of almost 275 million euros and more than 1,000 employees.
A wide variety of baked goods are produced here every day, sustainably packaged, stored and delivered all over the world. The energy and heating costs of basic supplies are among the company's major cost items. Large amounts of thermal energy are required to heat the chocolate tanks or to cool individual products. A way was therefore sought to obtain both electricity and the required thermal energy - heat and cold - as cost-effectively as possible.
Proven within a very short time In 2021, the choice finally fell on 2G's innovative and sustainable cogeneration technology. With the purchase of a g-box 50plus, the company was not only able to generate cheap electricity itself, but also to optimally utilize the heat generated in the process as part of the production processes. After a short time, it became clear that the g-box 50plus would not be the only 2G system at Kuchenmeister. Barely a year after the first investment, two more machines from the 2G portfolio followed: a g-box 20 and an agenitor 408, which have since reliably covered the base load of electricity and heat. From an ecological point of view, the three 2G systems also contribute to the company's orientation. The Center for Sustainable Corporate Management and TÜV Rheinland recognized Kuchenmeister GmbH's commitment to sustainability with the "Sustainable Food Management" certificate. This makes the company one of the first award winners from the food industry.
Powerful and reliable - at two locations
The g-box 50plus supplies the main location on Coesterweg in Soest with 50 kWel and 108 kWth and an availability of 95.5% since commissioning. The g-box 20 and the agenitor 408, which were
added a year later, were installed on the company premises on Hammer Landstraße in Soest. The g-box 20 supplies the logistics building with 20 kWel and 44 kWth with an availability of 100%, the agenitor 408 supplies the production and administration building and generates 360 kWel and 440 kWth with an availability of 97%.
Projects like these show the great potential of CHP technology. By combining combined heat and power with an adsorption chiller, Kuchenmeister GmbH has found an ideal system concept for itself, with which it supports its sustainable brand and at the same time operates cost-efficiently.