Sustainable Electrical Products Collaboration

Siemens and Envalior Partner to Advance Sustainable Electrical Components

Innovative Bio-Based Materials in Electrical Engineering

Siemens Smart Infrastructure has introduced a groundbreaking series of coupling relays featuring housings composed of 70% bio-based plastic. This advanced material, AkulonK225-KS B-MB, was developed through strategic collaboration with Envalior, a global leader in sustainable engineering materials. The partnership represents a significant advancement in eco-friendly electrical components, combining technical performance with environmental responsibility.

Transforming Waste into High-Performance Materials

The bio-based plastic derives from used cooking oil (UCO) collected from food industry operations, restaurants, and households. This innovative approach utilizes waste materials unsuitable for consumption, therefore avoiding competition with food production chains. Envalior’s mass balance concept transforms this renewable resource into premium engineering plastics, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based materials while preventing waste incineration.

Technical Excellence Meets Environmental Responsibility

Andreas Matthé, CEO of Electrical Products at Siemens Smart Infrastructure, emphasized the collaboration’s significance: “Our partnership with Envalior marks a crucial milestone in developing sustainable electrical products. This initiative strengthens our commitment to environmental stewardship while maintaining the technical excellence expected from Siemens components.”

Comprehensive Product Variants for Diverse Applications

The new SIRIUS 3RQ4 coupling relay series offers three specialized variants addressing distinct industrial requirements:

Rugged Integral Relay Output: Engineered for harsh environments and safety-critical applications, these relays feature safety-ready characteristics and ATEX certification for explosive atmospheres. Optional gold-plated contacts support low-current switching, while coated printed circuit boards meet railway application standards.

Modular Plug-in Design: Facilitating rapid replacement during operation, these relays maintain operational continuity in demanding industrial settings. The availability of gold-plated contacts ensures reliable performance across various switching applications.

Advanced Semiconductor Output: Delivering silent, high-speed switching with virtually unlimited service life, this variant excels in applications requiring frequent operation. Enhanced switching capacity up to 6A matches conventional relay performance while reducing maintenance requirements.

Sustainability Through Product Lifecycle

The SIRIUS 3RQ4 series embodies Siemens’ EcoTech principles throughout its complete lifecycle. The semiconductor variant achieves 33% lower energy losses compared to previous generations. The design eliminates hazardous materials including halogens and PFAS while enabling straightforward disassembly and recycling. Envalior’s bio-based polyamide 6 demonstrates exceptional heat resistance, chemical stability, and flame-retardant properties suitable for electrical engineering applications.

Engineering Breakthroughs in Material Science

Dr. Marc Rudolf, Global Key Account Manager at Envalior, highlighted the technical achievements: “Our collaboration with Siemens successfully delivered outstanding flow characteristics in thin-wall designs while maintaining UL94 V-0 rating at 0.4mm thickness. The material achieves premium performance standards while incorporating significant bio-waste content.”

Optimized Design and Manufacturing Efficiency

The compact SIRIUS 3RQ4 relays feature space-saving designs for control cabinet optimization. Fully automated production at Siemens’ Amberg facility shortens supply chains for European markets. Sustainable packaging solutions and digital documentation access further enhance the environmental profile. Electronic operating instructions accessible via device-mounted ID links reduce paper consumption.

Corporate Commitment to Renewable Energy

Envalior demonstrates strong environmental commitment beyond material development. The company sourced over 50% of its global electricity from renewable sources in 2024. Ambitious 2030 targets include 35% emission reduction through renewable energy expansion, local emission initiatives, and climate-friendly heating systems. Worldwide investments in renewable energy infrastructure support these sustainability goals.

Industry Implications and Future Outlook

This collaboration establishes new benchmarks for sustainable electrical components. The successful integration of bio-based materials in high-performance applications demonstrates the feasibility of eco-friendly alternatives without compromising technical requirements. As industrial sectors increasingly prioritize sustainability, such innovations provide valuable templates for future product development across the electrical industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the bio-based plastic environmentally friendly?

The material utilizes used cooking oil waste, reducing petroleum dependency and preventing food chain competition while maintaining high-performance characteristics.

How do the new relays compare to conventional versions?

They offer equivalent or superior technical performance with significantly improved environmental profiles, including reduced energy consumption and elimination of hazardous materials.

What industries benefit from these coupling relays?

Multiple sectors including manufacturing, energy distribution, transportation, and hazardous environment applications benefit from the enhanced safety and sustainability features.

Are the bio-based materials as durable as traditional plastics?

Yes, the materials demonstrate excellent heat resistance, chemical stability, and mechanical properties suitable for demanding electrical applications.

How does the mass balance concept work?

This approach tracks bio-based content through complex production processes, ensuring accurate sustainability claims while maintaining material performance standards.

About Siemens AG

Siemens AG drives technological innovation across industry, infrastructure, mobility, and healthcare sectors. The company integrates digital and physical technologies to accelerate customer sustainability transformations. Siemens leads in industrial AI applications, making artificial intelligence accessible and impactful for diverse industrial applications.

About Envalior

Envalior represents a global engineering materials leader formed through the merger of Lanxess Performance Materials and DSM Engineering Materials. With extensive expertise in sustainable material development, Envalior serves mobility, electronics, electrical, and consumer goods markets with high-performance material solutions.