2005-2006 Financial Statements and Management Report

16
WE HAVE DEVELOPED A
PLANT FOR COMPOSTABLE
PLASTIC.
The Technologies segment built an EnviNOx ® tail gas treatment facility for the Abu Qir Fertilizer Company
in Egypt. This technology uses a catalyst to convert ecologically damaging laughing gas and nitrogen
oxide into harmless nitrogen, oxygen and water. This one facility alone will provide a reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions with the same impact on the environment as 1.4 million tons of CO 2. That
is equivalent to the CO 2 emissions of roughly 350,000 cars being driven 20,000 km per year.
Another development involved a plant for the production of a compostable plastic from renewable
raw materials such as maize or wheat. This plastic – a polylactic acid – can be used to replace the
packaging materials PET and polystyrene. Further measures related to saving energy, for example in
heat treatment furnaces.
Measures in the Elevator segment were also focused on improving energy efficiency in elevators and
escalators. A series of gearless drives was developed for elevators which, in conjunction with innovative
changes to the entire drive and suspension system, further reduce energy consumption. In the area of
escalators, a new generation of equipment was launched offering significantly lower purchasing costs.
One example is that the energy-saving “slow running” option for empty escalators can now be used on
far more installations, reducing energy consumption for our customers.
Engineers and technicians from the Industrial Services unit of the Services segment installed a
modern firing system in a waste-fed heating plant in Bremen which burns the waste more efficiently
while at the same time reducing emissions. Controlled heat discharge and an optimized air supply
improve incineration and increase efficiency, and in so doing reduce specific emissions and residues.
SUMMARIZED ASSESSMENT OF THE FISCAL YEAR
ThyssenKrupp performed very well in the past fiscal year. In addition to pre-tax earnings, other indicators
also hit record levels. The Steel, Stainless, Technologies, Elevator and Services segments further
improved their market positions, sales and earnings. The Automotive segment pressed ahead with
its restructuring, particularly in the usa. In all segments, the focus was on higher performance and
efficiency; the ThyssenKrupp best corporate program continued its success.
With the Group having largely completed its consolidation phase, our aim is now to achieve profitable
and sustainable growth in our three main business areas of Steel, Capital Goods and Services.
Through organic growth, targeted acquisitions and a stronger service focus, we will continuously
increase our earning power and enterprise value. The results of the reporting year already indicate
initial successes.