Siemens and Emberlier collaborate on more sustainable electrical products

summary

October 10, 2025 – Siemens Smart Infrastructure launches a new series of coupling relays with a housing made of plastic, 70% of which is composed of bio-based materials derived from biomass waste. Akulon K225-KS B-MB plastic was developed by Envalior, a world leader in the design and development of high-quality sustainable solutions across a wide range of industries, in collaboration with Siemens to ensure all required properties are met.

The raw material for plastic is used cooking oil (UCO) left over after frying in the food industry, restaurants, snack bars, and homes. UCO is no longer suitable for human or animal consumption and therefore does not compete with food or animal feed production. While UCO is primarily used for biodiesel, Envalior is used for the production of engineering plastics based on the concept of mass balance, avoiding incineration. Envalior is a global supplier of high-performance engineering materials.


“Developing this bio-based plastic in collaboration with Envalior is an important step in advancing the use of more sustainable materials in our electrical products. We are pleased to be working with Envalior as another strong partner on our journey towards a greener portfolio,” said Andreas Maté, CEO of Electrical Products at Siemens Smart Infrastructure.

The new SIRIUS 3RQ4 coupling relay is available in three versatile variants to meet a wide range of industrial requirements.

The first variant with integrated relay output is specially designed for areas with harsh environmental conditions or specific safety requirements. These relays have safety-compatible characteristic values ​​(B10d value) and are also approved for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX certified). This variant can optionally have gold-plated contact elements for switching very low currents or a printed circuit board with a protective coating suitable for railway applications.

As a second variation, plug-in coupling relays are available for applications that require rapid replacement of relays during operation. Gold-plated contacts are also available as an option.

For applications requiring very fast, silent and frequent switching, Siemens offers a third variant with a semiconductor output. Because they have a virtually infinite service life, they are used when replacing traditional relays would be expensive and time consuming. Siemens has been able to increase the switching capacity of these semiconductor variants up to 6A, making them comparable to the performance of traditional basic relays.

SIRIUS 3RQ4 coupling relays are designed for sustainability throughout their lifecycle, from development to end of service life, and meet the rigorous standards of the Siemens EcoTech label. This includes a 33% reduction in energy losses in this semiconductor variant compared to previous versions, as well as the elimination of problematic materials such as halogens and PFAS. Additionally, the products can be easily disassembled and recycled at the end of their useful life. Envalior’s Akulon K225-KS B-MB is a bio-based, halogen-free, flame-retardant polyamide 6 grade plastic for injection molding, making it an ideal choice for these coupling relays. This more sustainable material features a significantly improved environmental profile, high temperature resistance and excellent chemical resistance and is used in many electrical engineering and power distribution applications.

“At Envalior, we are proud to have partnered with Siemens in the development of the SIRIUS 3RQ4 coupling relay series. The key success factors for this project were the thin-walled design with excellent flow behavior and achieving a UL94 V-0 rating at just 0.4 mm thickness, while achieving superior green share from biowaste sources at the highest quality,” said Dr. Mark Rudolph, Global Key Account Manager at Envalior.

The new SIRIUS 3RQ4 coupling relay has a space-saving slimline design for optimized use in control cabinets. They are designed and intensively tested for use with Siemens controllers. Fully automated production at the Siemens plant in Amberg shortens the supply chain for the German and European markets. Coupling relays are shipped in standard multi-piece packaging in more sustainable cardboard boxes. The operating instructions and all related information can be accessed electronically through the ID link on the device.

In addition to manufacturing bio-based products, Envalior also focuses on renewable energy. In 2024, Envalior will meet more than 50% of the world’s electricity needs with renewable energy. Envalior aims to reduce emissions by a further 35% by 2030. This will be achieved through a range of measures, including increasing renewable energy to 100% by 2030, implementing local emissions reduction initiatives and switching to climate-friendly heat sources. Envalior invests in renewable energy near its production sites around the world.

About Siemens AG

Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a leading technology company with a focus on industry, infrastructure, mobility and healthcare. The company’s purpose is to create technology that transforms everyday life for everyone. By combining the physical and digital worlds, Siemens helps customers accelerate digital and sustainability transformation, making factories more efficient, cities more livable and transportation more sustainable. Siemens, a leader in industrial AI, leverages its deep domain know-how to apply AI, including generative AI, to real-world applications, making AI more accessible and impactful for customers across industries. Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly traded company Siemens Healthineers, a world-leading medical technology provider delivering breakthrough advances in healthcare. For everyone. Anywhere. Sustainable.

About Embalier

Envalior is a global leader in engineered materials with more than 4,000 employees worldwide. Founded in 2023 through the merger of LANXESS Performance Materials and DSM Engineering Materials. With a long track record of customer-driven innovation, Envalior specializes in the development of sustainable, high-performance engineering materials, including PA6, PA66, PBT, PA46, PPS, TPC, PET, PA4T, PA410, and thermoplastic composites. Focus markets include mobility, electronics and electricity, and consumer goods.