With the world’s first CO2-neutral retail store, the bk Group AG was once again able to celebrate success. On 24.05.2022, we received the German Innovation Award for this unique and forward-looking concept.
Every year, the German Innovation Award honours products and solutions that distinguish themselves above all through user-centricity and added value compared to previous solutions.
Renowned jury honours bk Group
The renowned jury around Nicole Schneider, Commercial Director of the Futurium in Berlin, Christine Wang, Managing Director of the Lufthansa Innovation Hub, Dr. Elias Knubben, Vice President and Head of Corporate Research and Innovation at Festo SE & Co. KG as well as Michael Kruza, Team Leader Design / User Experience, Innovation Hub of Deutsche Telekom AG and Silvia Olp, President of the Association for the Promotion of Architecture, Engineering & Design, awarded the submission of bk Group AG as winner in the category “Excellence in Business to Business – Retail & Trade Solutions”.
“Innovation is the key to greater sustainability. And this is also what the bk Group AG stands for. Only through innovative ideas and products can we remain fit for the future and continue to live in prosperity. Therefore, we are particularly pleased to have been awarded once again for our efforts and our concept of the CO2-neutral retail store.” So Gerold Wolfarth, CEO bk Group AG
True innovation in the construction industry
In the construction industry and especially in the area of shopfitting, the topic of sustainability has not yet fully arrived. For this reason, bk Group AG has already actively moved forward in 2020: the first climate-neutral retail store became reality.
A challenging project, as initial calculations by an independent sustainability consulting firm showed that the construction and one-year operation of an average store cause 38 tonnes of CO2.
A variety of measures
The project team then put everything to the test with regard to the CO2 footprint. First of all, the building materials. PVC flooring was replaced by wooden parquet, laminate surfaces by solid wood elements. Insulation was rethought and through these measures alone we were able to achieve a saving of 17 tonnes of CO2.
Through adjustments to supply chains, construction site approaches, the use of electric cars, the installation of an energy management system and a new photovoltaic system, the remaining 21 tonnes of CO2 were offset and we had achieved our goal: the bk Group AG had built the world’s first CO2-neutral retail store.
Success for the future
We are incredibly proud of this success and are making a great contribution to more sustainability in the building sector. Thanks to all those involved in the project who made such an innovative and sustainable project possible!