What we stand for

Protecting the environment and using resources sparingly are values that guide us. We constantly strive to minimise our consumption of energy and natural raw materials. We achieve this through the responsible use of natural resources and through technological innovation, with the aim of reducing consumption in a sustainable manner. With our products, we are environmental pioneers in the field of environmental protection. Furthermore, we are subject to ongoing monitoring of our compliance with environmental standards through the DIN ISO 14001 environmental management system.

The key issue for any industrial production process aimed at reducing its environmental impact is the energy required to run the factory. FASTER’s production facility is powered entirely by solar panels on the roof of the building.

This innovative building management system enables energy to be generated at all times to ensure the factory can operate without restriction. Energy generation reaches its full potential particularly during the hottest hours of the day. Even on days when the sun is not shining, the system can draw on external energy sources. By combining efficient energy generation with intelligent energy management, the system helps to optimise energy consumption and minimise the use of environmentally harmful resources. This not only enhances the factory’s sustainability but also delivers long-term cost savings.

One area of environmentally friendly manufacturing in which the metal industry can really excel is the recycling and reuse of waste materials. FASTER’s production facility has processes in place for the collection, reuse and recycling of scrap material.

• FASTER purchases components such as lamps and circuit boards on the open market to use in the assembly of security cabinets and subsequently pays a consortium to recycle all this packaging.
• As for the iron, stainless steel or aluminium sheets used in the assembly of security cabinets: everything is recovered and recycled. Waste accounts for around 20 per cent of the material purchased. The recycling industry pays us 30 per cent of the cost we are charged for the new material. A win-win situation for us and for the environment.
• As for our products, over 92 per cent (by weight) of a safety cabinet consists of recyclable materials. A SafeFAST Elite 212 D, for example, weighs 190 kg.

Only 15 kg of these 190 kg are non-recyclable (for example, sockets and other rigid plastic parts; filters are usually incinerated rather than recycled, as they are treated as contaminated waste). The majority of the weight actually consists of iron, stainless steel, glass or recyclable plastics.

Most of FASTER’s biological safety cabinets and laboratory fume cupboards are fitted with the ECS® Eco Controlling System. This is a microprocessor which, as an integrated management system, utilises all key ventilation and filtration functions to reduce pressure drops and restore performance balance.

By combining an AC fan motor with certified H14 HEPA/ULPA filters featuring low pressure drop, the ECS® control system optimises energy consumption and reduces CO₂ emissions into the environment.

Example: The ChemFAST Premium has been developed to combine molecular filtration with the aeraulic principles of recirculation and extraction: a brand-new hybrid fume cupboard technology developed by FASTER to reduce energy consumption by 80 per cent. Furthermore, even the small amount of air used is always filtered before being released into the environment.

We know there is still more we can do. Our research and development department is working on further innovations to make our technologies even more environmentally friendly.