Stadtallendorf, February 25, 2025 - On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, District Manager Jörg Köhlinger and other representatives of IG Metall Mitte visited the Fritz Winter iron foundry in Stadtallendorf. In an exchange of views, representatives of the management presented the current decarbonization strategy of Europe's largest independent iron foundry to the visitors.

"We clearly have the goal of making our production CO2-neutral in the next 20 years. The first concrete steps have already been taken. Our crucible furnace system, which has already enabled us to save 43,000 tons of CO2 per year, has been in operation since November last year. The next steps towards energy-efficient production are already firmly planned for 2026," said Markus Semmler, Head of Plant Planning and Environmental Protection. The company is focusing primarily on innovation and increasing efficiency in order to be able to offer sustainable economic and ecological jobs in central Germany.

Jörg Köhlinger, District Manager of IG Metall Mitte, said during the visit to the medium-sized family business Fritz Winter in Stadtallendorf: "The iron foundry is one of the Hessian companies that is actively tackling the change in production together with its employees. Other companies can take this as an example. The new electric crucible furnace system for melting raw materials paves the way for sustainable production. The company is impressively demonstrating that CO2 emissions can be significantly reduced and an energy-intensive industry can be kept in Hesse." However, Köhlinger went on to say that this should not obscure the fact that the next German government urgently needs to do more to maintain Germany as an industrial location. "Energy costs are too high and urgently need to be reduced. IG Metall has therefore repeatedly called for the introduction of an industrial electricity price. The new federal government must act quickly and decisively, improve conditions for industry and guarantee social security in times of change. Our future is at stake, and that is why the metalworkers will be taking to the streets in Frankfurt on March 15."