Siemens and Envalior Partner to Revolutionize Sustainable Electrical Products
Overview
Siemens Smart Infrastructure has unveiled the SIRIUS 3RQ4 coupling relay series featuring housing made from 70% bio-based plastic derived from biomass waste, specifically used cooking oil (UCO). This innovation is a result of collaboration with Envalior, a global leader in high-performance engineering materials, which developed the Akulon® K225-KS B-MB plastic used in these relays. This partnership exemplifies a significant step forward in sustainable industrial components without compromising performance.
Key Features of the SIRIUS 3RQ4 Coupling Relays
- Bio-based Material: The relay housing utilizes a bio-based, halogen-free, flame-retardant polyamide 6 (Akulon® K225-KS B-MB) made from recycled UCO, which avoids competition with food resources and promotes circular economy principles.
- Variants for Industrial Needs:
- Integral Relay Output Variant: Designed for harsh conditions and explosive atmospheres (ATEX-certified); available with gold-plated contacts for low current switching and protective coatings for railway use.
- Plug-in Relay Variant: Facilitates quick replacement during operation, enhancing maintenance efficiency.
- Semiconductor Output Variant: Offers silent, fast switching with a service life virtually infinite at up to 6A capacity, matching conventional relays’ performance with 33% lower energy losses.
- Environmental Compliance: The relays align with the Siemens EcoTech label through sustainable lifecycle management, including recyclability and elimination of harmful substances like halogens and PFAS.
- Design and Production: Slim-line design optimized for control cabinets, fully automated production in Germany, and environmentally friendlier packaging with electronic information access to reduce paper usage.
Sustainable Impact and Corporate Commitments
- Raw Material Innovation: UCO, often relegated to biodiesel production, is repurposed into high-quality engineering plastics, demonstrating advanced mass balance manufacturing avoiding incineration.
- Envalior’s Sustainability Goals: Over 50% of their global electricity needs were met by renewable sources in 2024, with a goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030 and a 35% emissions reduction via local initiatives and climate-friendly technologies.
- Siemens’ Commitment: Siemens Smart Infrastructure aims to lead in sustainable and intelligent infrastructure solutions addressing urbanization and climate challenges, incorporating cybersecurity and digital transformation as foundational pillars.
About Envalior and Siemens
- Envalior: Formed in 2023 from Lanxess Performance Materials and DSM Engineering Materials, Envalior specializes in sustainable engineering plastics across multiple sectors including Electronics & Electrical, with a workforce of over 4,000 globally.
- Siemens Smart Infrastructure: With around 78,500 employees, Siemens SI integrates energy systems and smart building technology to foster sustainable urban and industrial development. Siemens AG is a global technology leader with revenue of €75.9 billion in fiscal 2024. —
Conclusion
The Siemens and Envalior collaboration marks a pioneering milestone in sustainable electrical product manufacturing. By transforming waste cooking oil into advanced bio-based plastics used in high-performance relays, this initiative reduces environmental impact from raw materials to product end-of-life, setting an industry benchmark for circularity and eco-friendly innovation.
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Published October 14, 2025
Design Delight Studio curates high-impact, authoritative insights into sustainable and organic product trends, helping conscious consumers and innovative brands stay ahead in a fast-evolving green economy.
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