A facility where components weighing several tons are cast daily — and now also produces honey? The Siempelkamp Foundry demonstrates how industrial value creation and nature can exist in harmony. By establishing beehives on its premises, the company is making sustainability tangible at its site.
Siempelkamp Foundry, one of the largest hand-molding foundries in the world, has long contributed to sustainable transformation through its products: whether in e-mobility, renewable energy generation, or resource-efficient material production, the cast components from Krefeld play a key role in many forward-looking industries. Now, the company is renewing its focus on its own site. In collaboration with Krefeld-based beekeeper Dieter Maaßen, several beehives have been installed on the foundry grounds. This initiative is more than symbolic — it illustrates how industrial production and ecological responsibility can go hand in hand.
“Sustainability for us means more than reducing CO₂ emissions. It includes biodiversity protection and environmental responsibility. By establishing beehives on-site, we’re sending a clear message about what lived sustainability looks like — as it’s understood and practiced by Germany’s mid-sized industrial companies,” explains Dr. Georg Geier, Managing Director of Siempelkamp Foundry.
The bees on the foundry premises make a valuable contribution to biodiversity through pollination. They help maintain ecological balance, support natural plant growth, and indirectly assist in CO₂ absorption. Moreover, beehives are increasingly regarded as symbols of sustainable business practices — their wellbeing reflects the quality of the local environment.
For the employees of Siempelkamp Foundry, coexisting with the bees not only enriches their work environment but also creates a direct connection to their employer’s environmental efforts. The honey produced by the foundry's own bees is bottled under the name “Eisengold” (“Iron Gold”) — a tribute to the site's industrial heritage. Employees receive a jar of this special honey during the harvest season — a sweet token of their shared commitment to sustainability.
“Our customers, partners, and neighbors also see the bees’ new home as a strong sign that industrial production, environmental awareness, and good living conditions for people and animals belong together,” emphasizes Dirk Howe, Managing Director of Siempelkamp Foundry.
This initiative is part of a comprehensive sustainability strategy that has positioned Siempelkamp Foundry as a pioneer in its industry. As early as 1996, it became the first foundry in Germany to implement an environmental management system — clear evidence of its deep-rooted commitment to environmental and social responsibility. Since then, the company has consistently invested in energy efficiency, resource conservation, and low-emission processes, setting benchmarks across the sector. Most recently, Siempelkamp Foundry joined the renowned Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), grounding its climate goals in solid scientific principles.
This tradition of forward-looking environmental responsibility is now being enhanced with a new, visible dimension. With “Eisengold,” the company has created more than a unique honey — it has created a powerful symbol of an industry embracing its responsibility.
