3,000 solar panels, residual wood burning and electricity storage. Bijnen is investing in the future of the furniture industry.
Sustainable solar energy as basis for furniture production
On the roof of the Van de Voorde furniture factory - where all Bijnen furniture is produced - there are no fewer than 3,000 solar panels. This installation largely supplies the factory with sustainable energy, marking an important step towards energy-neutral furniture production. Thanks to this investment in solar energy, Bijnen reduces its dependence on fossil fuels and significantly lowers its CO₂ emissions. This contributes to a responsible production chain and underlines its commitment to sustainability and local craftsmanship.
Thus, each piece of furniture is produced not only with care, but also with sunlight.
Residual wood combustion: circular energy from own production
The production of wooden furniture creates residual wood. Instead of wasting it, Van de Voorde - the manufacturer behind Bijnen - cleverly uses this residual material as a source of energy. Burning residual wood generates heat, which is then directly used within the production process. This form of circular energy generation makes the furniture factory even more efficient and sustainable.
The result: less waste, lower energy costs and an even smaller ecological footprint for every piece of Bijnen furniture.
To make optimal use of the self-generated solar energy, investments have been made in an advanced battery storage system at the Van de Voorde furniture factory - Bijnen's production site. Five industrial batteries with a combined capacity of 1.1 megawatt hours store excess energy produced by the 3,000 solar panels during the day. This stored power is then used at times when production capacity increases or the power grid is under pressure.
With this smart form of energy management, energy consumption within the plant is better distributed and optimised. Moreover, battery storage contributes to less dependence on the public grid and reduces the ecological impact of the entire production process.
This strategic investment is fully in line with Bijnen's long-term vision to provide high-quality furniture produced in a responsible and forward-looking manner. Read here our article!
