For the second year in a row, Insta GmbH is participating in reforestation in the region and is once again financing seedlings and a planting campaign. Due to the extreme weather conditions of the past four years with significantly lower precipitation, the formerly dominant spruce stands, but also larch and Douglas fir of all ages, have been permanently damaged. As a result, the bark beetle was able to take advantage of the insufficient water supply for the trees to multiply unhindered and thus reach many times the regular population sizes. After initial infestation by the bark beetle, recovery of the affected trees is impossible. "In view of the current conditions, we need a reforestation of the resulting bare areas with climate-resistant and site-adapted tree species. This is the only way to meet future societal demands on the forest as an O2 producer, CO2 reservoir, recreational space, raw material store and most diverse habitat for native flora and fauna. This task will accompany us in the coming years," explains forester Markus Teuber of the Lüdenscheid forestry district.

In the project in cooperation with Insta GmbH, about 5,000 seedlings are planted on 1.2 hectares in the forest area of Lüdenscheid-Krummenscheid. Together with the forester, special English oaks were selected that are particularly resistant to late frost and thus ideal for the location. In addition, wild pear, wild apple, wild cherry, wild service tree and walnut with individual protection against browsing by game are planted in the forest edge area. In addition, hornbeam trees are added for stabilisation and to support the growth result. These have a lateral supporting effect on the oaks and thus ensure more stable growth. To protect the young plants against browsing by wild animals, a fence is erected, a fence made of residual wood cut to size on site. The new planting is to represent a broad spectrum of tree species to complement the emerging natural regeneration of larch and spruce. The start of the project in 2021 and this year's continuation lay important mosaic stones for new and stable forest stands. A mixed forest with a focus on hardwoods and a species-rich forest edge is now emerging from a former pure spruce stand.

The increasing destruction of the forest did not escape the attention of the employees of the electronics specialist, who approached the management last year with the idea for the campaign. "It is particularly important to me that we do not let the project take place as a one-off, but that we commit ourselves to the reforestation of the forest areas here in Lüdenscheid in the long term. We are even more pleased that other companies from the region have followed our example. I therefore ensure that Insta continuously provides the resources and the financial means for the forest project. Likewise, we in the management make sure that the forest project is part of our sustainability strategy," says Managing Director Alexander Burgbacher.

The industrial company continuously invests in environmental protection in the company, development, production, and product. For example, in 2021 it invested in a new air conditioning system for temperature control in production. This not only ensures maximum energy efficiency, but it is also equipped with a "low-GWP refrigerant and reduces the CO2 equivalent by >99% compared to the old system. In addition, Insta GmbH operates a geothermal heat pump, which provides cooling and heating for the entire development and administration wing. A PV system is currently being planned, which is expected to cover up to 12 per cent of the electrical energy demand.