Rolls-Royce officially opens 30M Euro combustion engine assembly plant in Germany

Rolls-Royce Power Systems is focusing on the internal combustion engine as an important contribution to the energy transition and has invested a mid-double-digit million euro sum in a new assembly plant in Kluftern near Friedrichshafen. The company has made the site highly energy-efficient and climate-friendly, with a 1.2 MW-peak photovoltaic system, e-charging columns and intelligent building control technology.

New production facility for mtu 2000 series engines in service in Kluftern on Lake Constance, Germany

Rolls-Royce (LSE: RR., ADR: RYCEY) has today officially opened a new assembly plant for its mtu Series 2000 engines in Kluftern near Friedrichshafen, Germany. This highlights the continuing role that the internal combustion engine is set to play in the energy transition through the use of sustainable fuels.

The new production facility, which was announced in 2021 and has involved a mid-double-digit million-euro investment in the future of this technology, creates space for assembly and shipping. The assembly of mtu Series 2000 engines will be relocated to Kluftern, enabling the modernisation of the existing assembly halls in Rolls-Royce’s Plant 2 in Friedrichshafen, which will provide long-term production space for the Series 4000 engine. The Kluftern plant currently employs 110 people.

The new production building has been designed to be highly energy-efficient and climate-friendly. For example, a 1.2 MW-peak photovoltaic system provides green electricity, e-charging columns ensure clean mobility solutions, and an intelligent building control system alongside other equipment measures will ensure energy-efficient operation. With this investment, Rolls-Royce is underlining its commitment to the Power Systems site in Friedrichshafen.

At the new Rolls-Royce plant in Kluftern, employees produce mtu engines of the proven Series 2000, which are used worldwide as propulsion and energy systems for yachts, ferries, tugs, wind farm supply vessels, mining vehicles and emergency power generators.

“Our investments are a clear commitment to the region and to our products and solutions, which are important building blocks of the energy transition in various application areas. We are convinced that, in conjunction with sustainable fuels and new technologies, the internal combustion engine will play a central role in the future. Because it's the fuel that matters, not the engine.”

Rolls-Royce is focusing on developing engines that can run on a wide range of sustainable fuels, replacing fossil fuels and significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, the company has already launched hybrid systems for rail, shipping and energy, as well as intelligent automation systems. This will enable us to provide climate-friendly propulsion technologies in the future for applications from commercial ships, yachts, land and rail vehicles to energy systems where complete electrification is not an optimal solution in the long-term.

Dr. Jörg Stratmann, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems, explained on the occasion of the official opening of the new assembly plant for mtu series 2000 engines in Kluftern that this investment is a clear commitment to the region and to mtu products and solutions as important building blocks of the energy transition.

Renewable diesel (HVO/hydrogenated vegetable oil) is an important step on the road to decarbonisation. Many mtu engines from Rolls-Royce have already been released for use with this sustainable fuel. HVO enables up to 90 percent CO 2 reduction as well as reducing particulate and nitrogen oxide emissions. It can be produced on an industrial scale from hydrogenated vegetable oil and waste materials from the catering and food industries.

"We are doing everything we can to make the internal combustion engine climate-neutral with sustainable fuels and in combination with new technologies. But this can only be achieved if the political framework conditions are set so that alternative fuels can be successfully ramped up."

Rolls-Royce develops and delivers complex power and propulsion solutions for safety-critical applications in the air, at sea and on land. Our products and service packages enable our customers to connect people, societies, cultures and economies together; they meet the growing need for power generation across multiple industries; and enable governments to equip their armed forces with the power required to protect their citizens.

Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 150 countries, comprising more than 400 airlines and leasing customers, 160 armed forces and navies, and more than 5,000 power and nuclear customers. To meet customer demand for more sustainable solutions, we are committed to making our products compatible with net zero carbon emissions.

Annual underlying revenue was £12.69bn in 2022 and underlying operating profit was £652m.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is a publicly traded company (LSE: RR., ADR: RYCEY, LEI: 213800EC7997ZBLZJH69)

Rolls-Royce Power Systems is headquartered in Friedrichshafen in southern Germany and employs more than 9,500 people. The product portfolio includes mtu-brand high-speed engines and propulsion systems for ships, power generation, heavy land, rail and defence vehicles and for the oil and gas industry as well as diesel and gas systems and battery containers for mission critical, standby and continuous power, combined generation of heat and power, and microgrids and is intensively engaged in the development of climate-neutral solutions.