Atlas Copco's Environmental Award for 2016 goes to Atlas Copco Airpower N.V. in Belgium, part of Compressor Technique and Construction Technique, for its persistent and active approach to energy management.

		The plant and property team has succeeded in its ambition over the past few years to reduce the environmental impact from its operations as well as lower cost. The team members behind the effort are Hilde Waegemans and Geert Vansant, both Plant Engineers, and Theo Casteels, Manager Plant & Property. . "Please join me in congratulating the Airpower team that has done a great job in making their buildings more energy efficient," said Lars Eklöf, Chair of the Safety, Health, Environment and Quality Council.

Considerable efforts have been made to reduce gas for heating the buildings in Antwerp by replacing old boilers and insulating parts of the heating installation. Solar boilers were placed on the new roof of the Service Center, and central steering of the heating installation was realized.

Also, LED lighting, time-adjusted lighting and movement sensors have been installed to reduce the electricity use. Further, efficiency gains have been made in the Airtec machine park by working closely together with the people on the factory floor to eliminate as much as possible the electricity in idle time.

The first recognition of these efforts was the obtaining of the ISO 50001 certificate for outstanding energy management.

The winning team will get SEK 50 000 (about EUR 5 300) for use toward an environmental initiative or project.