In the line with Schmalz summer festival for the Schmalz staff, the new Schmalz water turbine was officially introduced.

Schmalz has been using water power since the company was established in 1910. After the decision last year to reactivate the direct-flow turbine, which was shut down in 2001, work was soon started. The turbine was overhauled and integrated into the new turbine building near the River Glatt. With a volume flow of 780 l/s, a head of 4.85 m and an output of about 150,000 kW/h per year (at a rate power of 36 kW) , this turbine will reduce the CO2 emissions at Schmalz by 124 tonnes per year, equivalent to the emissions produced by a car driving about 824,000 km.

 
A further component of the water turbine system is a large rainwater reservoir which captures rainwater and allows it to flow slowly through the water turbine into the River Glatt. With this reservoir, Schmalz is compensating for the necessary sealing of natural ground for the expansion of factory buildings planned for this year. In addition to the rainwater reservoir, the company has also created a large biotope with an area of about 3,500 square metres, including a fish ladder beside the weir. This biotope can be used by all members of the staff for rest and recuperation, and is also open to the general public as part of the Schmalz Ecological Guided Tour.