Blum_KlimaschutzEnergie_Header ME56499215

Hoechst, Austria | May 2025

Focus on circular economy

interzum Boulevard: Blum presents efficient steel recycling and closed material cycles

The Austrian family-run business once again demonstrated its commitment to a sustainable future at the interzum Boulevard. The key theme for the trade fair was “Rethinking Resources”. In line with this, the manufacturer of fittings chose to shine a spotlight on the circular economy. The display involved interactive elements which allowed visitors to become part of the experience and find out more about the five closed material cycles at Blum. Particular attention was paid to the steel cycle.

By sorting its steel scrap by type, Blum makes a significant contribution to reducing its carbon footprint. With fun interactive elements for visitors to get involved in – including a mini-golf course – the fittings specialist illustrated the recycling path for its main raw material, steel. Blum thereby demonstrated the valuable contribution that sorting steel scrap by type makes to sustainability. Using an efficient and fully automated materials logistics system, the company collects over 47,000 tonnes of steel scrap per calendar year. That equates to a savings potential of around 70,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent. To put that in perspective, a petrol car with a consumption of 6.2 litres per 100 kilometres would need to drive almost 316 million kilometres to reach the same level of greenhouse gas emissions.

From zinc waste to rain water and biogas

Blum also applies circular economy principles in many other areas too. One example of this is the zinc waste generated during production, around 90% of which is melted down and remelted on its own premises. At the Poland site, a smart rainwater management system is used to water 85% of the roughly 10,000 plants in its outdoor space. Even the organic and food waste from the central canteen, which provides catering for the Vorarlberg sites, does not go to waste. Instead, it is sent to a biogas facility where it is converted into green energy, organic fertiliser and biogas. The biogas yield from one year’s worth of food waste can power a Blum biogas truck for up to 180 kilometres. Even with its office furniture, the company has been operating according to the guiding principle of “repair instead of throw away” for almost 30 years. Each year, around 800 chairs are given an annual “service” and repaired if necessary. Because of this, the average lifetime of an office chair at Blum is between 20 and 30 years.

At interzum 2025, the established company highlighted the importance of the circular economy when it comes to conserving resources, reducing carbon footprint and acting in an environmentally responsible manner. In the sustainability reports, which have already been published, Julius Blum GmbH also discloses all the measures it is taking to ensure a liveable future. These reports are available at www.blum.com/sustainability.

Image: Blum_Werk8_Stahrecycling

Blum shone the spotlight on the circular economy at the interzum Boulevard, with a focus on the steel cycle. By sorting its scrap by type, the company makes a significant contribution to reducing its carbon footprint.