In 2007, an indirectly heated roller hearth furnace (built by Wienstroth Wärmebehandlungstechnik GmbH) with energy-efficient REKUMAT® burners was put into operation at a Schaeffler plant in Germany.
These burners were already serviced last fall at WS Wärmeprozesstechnik GmbH in Renningen and adapted so that, thanks to the FLOX® technology with both natural gas and H2 can be operated as a fuel with high efficiency and lowest emissions. Successful commissioning with natural gas has already been carried out by Wienstroth. After the hydrogen infrastructure has been established, commissioning will be carried out with H2 as fuel gas.
With this and other conversions as well as newly built projects, Schaeffler is demonstrating its comprehensive commitment to sustainability while investing in the long-term future of the respective plants.
Due to the decades of experience at WS Wärmeprozesstechnik GmbH with hydrogen as well as the patented FLOX® technology, the adaptation to H2 as fuel is possible for many existing plants with reasonable effort, without having to install new burners. In addition, significant efficiency gains can be realized for many plants. Until the necessary hydrogen infrastructure is available, continued operation on natural gas or mixtures of natural gas and hydrogen is possible.
Energy efficiency and environmental protection are the focus of the steel industry: WS delivers major order - retrofitting industrial burners instead of building new plants. The most economical way to comply with emission limits and maximum efficiency.
The targets set for CO2 savings and the reduction of NOx emissions at a well-known automobile manufacturer were achieved by using WS burners with ceramic finned recuperators in gas-fired pusher-type furnaces.
WS has been known worldwide for decades as the undisputed technology and market leader in the field of industrial burner technology for the thermoprocessing industry. For next-generation products, state-of-the-art manufacturing processes such as additive manufacturing are of course also used.
The WS Group was blessed with beautiful weather on April 30, 2025 when almost 500 guests accepted the invitation to "Dance into May" to celebrate the inauguration of two newly built halls in Renningen. With a large number of employees, customers, suppliers and political guests, the day was an entertaining experience that included in-depth technical discussions as well as joint networking.
Federal Cross of Merit for WS founder Joachim A. Wünning: As part of a festive ceremony, Joachim A. Wünning was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit on March 28, 2025. Awarded by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and presented by Klaus Brenner, the award honors Wünning's life's work.
New CNC lathe at WS - high-end solution for precision and quality in in-house production and new development. The lathe from SPINNER Werkeugmaschinenfabrik GmbH will complement the extensive machine park at WS in the future.
