AUDITS IN THE JUNGLETÜV Rheinland certifies sustainable palm oil plantationsTÜV Rheinland certifies sustainable palm oil plantations

THE WOOD DETECTIVESTHE WOOD DETECTIVES

How TÜV RheinlandHow TÜV Rheinland

tracks down woodtracks down wood

thieves worldwidethieves worldwide

REVOLUTION ABOVEREVOLUTION ABOVE

THE CLOUDSTHE CLOUDS

Fascinating flight:Fascinating flight:

the air traffic of thethe air traffic of the

future is alreadyfuture is already

underwayunderway

contactC U S T O M E R M A G A Z I N E O F T Ü V R H E I N L A N DC U S T O M E R M A G A Z I N E O F T Ü V R H E I N L A N D I S S U E 3 . 1 0I S S U E 3 . 1 0

Trends & Innovation04 20 23Markets & ExpertiseTechnology & Safety

Focus: Flying

The Magic of Flight 04

Uplifting: following in the footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci, Lilienthal and Wright

Red Bull Air Race 06

Impressive: why the world’s fastestair race has so many fans

Modern Mobility 10

Breathtaking: what the air traffic of the future will achieve

Sustainable Palm Oil 20

Under close observation: why experts from TÜV Rheinland are roaming the Asian jungle

Illegal Harvesting 22

A clever setup: how TÜV Rheinland catches wood thieves around the world

Mobile Treasures 23

Doing the math: are vintage cars abetter investment than shares?

Sales Advice 16

Tips on how to stay safer in thecold season

Experimenting with Alternative Energy 18

How a major biogas pilot projectsucceeded after all

02 contact 3.10

Contents

Spotlight

Facts and Figures 14

- International Guests Visit TÜV Rheinland- German-Chinese Dialog Forum Convenes- Deutsche Post Real Estate Germany Undergoes Certifi cation

- Concepts for the Fight against Corruption- Evonik Degussa has a PositiveEco-Balance

26 People & Environment

For the Sake of Traffic Safety 26

Widely respected: the vehicle inspection

sticker turns 50 – what does the future

hold for the “TÜV” test?

“O’zapft ist” in Tokyo 28

A strong sense of tradition: many Asian

people are crazy about Oktoberfest

Perfect Timing 29

Always in the picture: a portrait of the

award-winning feature and technical

photographer Thomas Ernsting

Editorial Information 32

Cover picture:

TÜV Rheinland auditor Carol Ngcertifi es palm oil plantations accordingto the criteria of the Roundtable onSustainable Palm Oil.

Editorial

Five hundred years ago flying was a dream, 100 years ago a dangerous expe-

riment. In my childhood it was still something exotic for me. Today, 6-year-

olds have frequent-flier status – and airports are more like reloading points for

people and goods than places of adventure and romance. I myself spend

countless hours in the air each year.

In 2009, more than 2.3 billion passengers traveled by air. The Internet may

have revolutionized international communication, but even the most in-

teresting e-mail cannot and will not replace face-to-face talks and meetings.

In addition, the amount of goods transported by air is constantly growing.

More and more airports are pushed to their limits, in terms of both capacity

and noise pollution. Starting on page 10, you’ll find some insights into what

flight could look like by the year 2050, and how diverse the TÜV Rheinland

aviation safety service offering already is today.

Pilots in the spectacular Red Bull Air Race also deliver top performance as

they dart through the air gates of the slalom course at breathtaking speeds.

During takeoff and landing, the sport pilots trust in the know-how of TÜV

Rheinland: our experts were responsible for the stringent testing required for

approval of the tower at the EuroSpeedway in Lausitz (page 6).

Safety and quality are also the focus of activities on the other side of the glo-

be: read about how our auditors contribute to sustainability in the palm oil

industry in the jungles of Malaysia (page 22) and about the unique method our

chemistry experts use to support the fight against illegal forestry.

Another frequent flier by trade is the multi-award-winning documentary and

technology photographer Thomas Ernsting. He always looks forward to re-

warding journeys to high-tech sites – like TÜV Rheinland Testing Centers

(page 29). Join us on a trip around the international world of TÜV Rheinland.

Sit back and enjoy the read!

TAKING OFF TO NEW PLACES

03

Friedrich HeckerPresident and CEO of TÜV Rheinland AG

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Technology & Safety Flying04

BOUNDLESS LIBERTY

Gliding majestically through the air and viewing the world from abo-

ve – the dream of flying is as old as humanity itself. In Greek mytho-

logy, it was Icarus who escaped the Minotaur’s labyrinth on feathered

wings. During the 15th century, Leonardo da Vinci inspired people’s

fantasies of flight with his revolutionary sketches. Many years later,

mankind witnessed the first hot air balloon, the first motorized air-

plane and the first zeppelin.

Nowadays, anything seems possible in the world of aviation, as im-

pressively demonstrated by the pilots in the Red Bull Air Race. Howe-

ver, stringent safety measures are essential both in the air and on the

ground to make this boundless freedom above the clouds an everyday

reality. That creates a broad field of activity for TÜV Rheinland be-

cause the lofty achievements of the 21st century have made technical

know-how and industry-specific expertise more vital than ever. You’ll

find more information over the next few pages.

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06 contact 3.10

THREADING THE

NEEDLE AT

The Red Bull Air Race places

the greatest possible

demands on both the pilots

and the machinery.

07

Flying Technology & Safety

FULL SPEED

The Red Bull Air Race is the world’s most spectacular and

extreme sport aviation event. Fasten your seatbelts!

The agile prop-driven plane zooms over onlookers’ heads at

a breathtaking velocity. The noise is deafening. A lightning-

fast change of direction, a sharp turn to the right – and in the

blink of an eye the aircraft passes through another air gate.

The audience is transfixed with suspense, but the pilot has

already left the finish line far behind. The time: a mere 75

seconds.

The Red Bull Air Race is a nonstop adrenaline rush. It’s all

about speed, precision and the ultimate race against time. At

top speeds of just under 400 kilometers per hour, the pilots

maneuver their racing planes between inflatable cloth pylons.

These obstacles, termed air gates, form the World Champi-

onship course. Some pylons are positioned to create proper

gates, which must be flown through horizontally or vertically,

while others form slalom stretches. And it all takes place

dangerously close to the ground. The objective of the race:

to fly the entire course as fast as possible, overcoming each

obstacle in the right order, flawlessly.

From New York to Rio

The 15 best racing pilots in the world compete fiercely for

the World Championship title, which British contender Paul

Bonhomme took home yet again in 2010. Breathtaking set-

tings are part of what makes the Red Bull Air Race so spec-

tacular. In New York, the Statue of Liberty watched over the

high-speed event: the race was held before the city’s impos-

ing skyline, on the Hudson River. In the bay of Rio de Janei-

ro alone, a million fans looked on as the daredevil pilots

fought for points. Only this year’s finals took place over dry

ground. For this purpose, the organizers transformed the

EuroSpeedway in Germany’s Lausitz region into an aerobat-

ics arena. To do so, they worked with TÜV Rheinland: the

experts took on responsibilities like the technical inspection

of the control tower. The Red Bull Air Race has long since

begun drawing major crowds. More than three million fans

turned out in 2009 to watch the spectacular flying maneuvers

up close and live.

Top performance between man and machine

“The Air Race is a thousand times more exciting to watch live than Formula 1, because you can see the whole course all the time, and not just glimpse a car or plane zooming by every once in a while,” says Matthias Dolderer, the only German pilot taking part in the World Championships.This entertainment value is the result of technological excel-lence and human skill on the highest level. No normal sport plane would stand up to the forces that come into play. Only extraordinary high-tech aircraft take part in the Air Race; the pilots are experienced and – equally important – in excellent condition. Gravitational acceleration forces increase to as much as 10 g in flight. By comparison: a rollercoaster gene-rates only 4 g, and from 8 g upward there is acute danger of whiplash injury and bone breakage. An inexperienced person would lose consciousness immediately in the Air Race. The pros not only stay alert, but “thread the needle” through the air gates with incredible precision. As one pilot put it: “It’s like parking in a garage at 400 kilometers an hour.”

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TÜV Rheinland at the Red Bull Air Race

TÜV Rheinland played a significant role in making it possi-

ble to hold the Red Bull Air Race finals at the EuroSpeed-

way in Lausitz. The control tower, which the organizers

use all over the world, is classified as a portable building

under German building codes. As the organizers did not

have the required inspection documentation, they con-

tracted TÜV Rheinland to carry out the necessary tests

and calculations as well as to conduct the final onsite in-

spection. Along with the tower, the hangars and the grid

stand – a “catwalk” for the planes – and completed the

test documentation for all facilities. Only then did the

building authorities allow the race to go ahead.

BACKGROUND

09

Flying Technology & Safety

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Loading the aircraft: the Red

Bull Air Race tours the entire

globe.

INFORMATION

Rainer Reicheltrainer.reichelt@de.tuv.com+49 221 806-33 86

contact 3.1010

FLYING ON SEAWEEDTo fly: from the mythological tale of

Icarus to the studies and inventions

of Leonardo da Vinci, the magic of

flight has always captured the hearts

of mankind. Even today, we look up

to watch massive airliners rise to

the heavens. Yet what demands are

connected with the fascination of

flying? Where will our passion for

the skies lead us by the year 2050?

By the time the butterflies-in-the-stomach

sensation begins, the colossus has already

left the ground. Around 2.3 million passen-

gers all over the world share this experience

each year. Just a little more than 100 years

ago, the concept of motorized flight was a

fantasy shared only by crazy inventors. One

of them was Orville Wright: in 1903 he be-

came the first human being to leave the

ground in a motorized aircraft – his wood

and fabric plane carried him just 36 meters.

But that was the breakthrough. Huge in-

vestments were made in aviation, especial-

ly during the two World Wars. Yet not only

warplanes began to fill the skies, the first

passenger and freight aircraft also went to

work. Over the decades airspace became

more and more crowded, planes bigger and

bigger, the world smaller and smaller. In

1924 an American torpedo bomber took

175 days to fly around the globe – in today’s

aviation it’s possible to travel the same dis-

tance in less than two days. Modern trav-

elers can relax at Malibu Beach or take in

Carnival in Rio just as easily as they can buy

exclusive fabrics in Bangkok or negotiate

with business partners in a Karaoke bar in

Japan. According to the Airports Council

International World Report, passenger vol-

umes will rise at an annual rate of around

four percent until the year 2029. Flying has

long become a mass-transportation mode

– and yet it has lost none of its fascination.

One reason for this may be that few non-

experts understand how an airliner weighing

hundreds of tons can possibly fly in the first

place (see box, above right).

Measured by accident statistics and dis-

tances traveled, the aircraft is not only the

contact 3.10 11

Flying Technology & Safety

The sky’s the limit: with

passenger numbers increasing

rapidly, scientists are working

at full speed to develop

environmentally compatible

aircraft technology.

AVIATION MILESTONES

HOW CAN AN AIRPLANE FLY?

1891: Otto Lilienthal carries out the first flights, with gliders of his own invention

1903: Orville Wright conducts the first motorized flight – reaching a distance of 36 meters

1909: Louis Blériot becomes the first pilot to cross the English Channel, in his monoplane Blériot XI

1914: The world’s first airline flight, from London to Paris

1919: British aviators John Alcock and Arthur Witten Brown cross the Atlantic

1927: Charles Lindbergh completes the first solo crossing of the Atlantic, from New York to Paris

1947: Charles Elwood Yeager breaks the sound barrier in horizontal flight

1949: Virgin flight of the de Havilland DH 106 Comet, the first civilian jet aircraft

1969: Virgin flight of the famous jumbo jet Boeing 747

1980: Günther Rochelt undertakes the first flight in a solar-powered aircraft

1986: Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager complete the first nonstop flight around the world (without refueling)

2005: Virgin flight of the A380, the world’s biggest passenger airplane. Capacity: 800 passengers

2009: Virgin flight of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the first passenger aircraft made mostly of carbon fiber

Bernoulli’s principle on fluid dynamics explains the physics of flight. The secret lies in the profile and form of the

airfoils. In simple terms, the wings must be curved on top. This means air flowing immediately above the wing

travels a longer distance than air flowing beneath the wing – a vacuum forms on top, pressure builds below. An

aircraft overcomes gravity by means of thrust from its engines and the position of the elevator flaps located on

its tail wing. Once aloft, the plane’s construction and the shape of its airfoils keep it suspended in the air. Depen-

ding on size, an aircraft requires a minimum speed of 100 to 300 km/h for takeoff.

12 contact 3.10

fastest, but also the safest transport mode

available. This is partly because so many

people work to keep the aviation industry

aloft: in design, construction and mainte-

nance of aircraft and airports, the highest

safety requirements apply at all times. Ac-

cordingly, TÜV Rheinland’s comprehensive

know-how in many areas of international

aviation is in constant demand (see box).

And the trend can be expected to contin-

ue.

New airports are no solution

Air traffic will continue to boom as a result

of ongoing globalization and safety de-

mands will increase with it. Even cautious

forecasts predict a doubling of passenger

volumes approximately every 15 years. Air

freight is experiencing similar growth: since

2001, international cargo business has ex-

panded from 28.8 million tons to 44.2 mil-

lion tons annually. More flights, more pas-

sengers, more goods: 230 airlines are

registered with the International Air Trans-

port Association (IATA) alone. More than

1600 airports worldwide handle around 93

percent of international air traffic. Many of

them are approaching the limits of their

capacity. “Building new airports in outlying

areas doesn’t help much – it just raises more

questions,” says Martin Sperber from TÜV

Rheinland. The answers lie in intelligent

intermodal solutions connecting rail, road

and air traffic, as well as in reduction of

cost-intensive waiting and turnaround

times, new sources of income to secure the

long-term financial viability of highly com-

plex airports in an age of discount tickets

and harmonization of European and global

air traffic to avoid unnecessary waits and

detours.

Crossing the Atlantic on fuel cells

Environmental demands present today’s

experts with challenges on the same scale

as those faced by the pioneers of motorized

passenger aviation 100 years ago. Scien-

tists are conducting research at a feverish

pace on alternative fuels, including kero-

sene derived from seaweed. Specialists are

even discussing a reduction in flying speed

– actual time saved does not always justify

the excess fuel consumption at higher

speeds. More energy-efficient propulsion

technologies are also coming closer to real-

life deployment on a large scale: test flights

of photovoltaic aircraft keep making head-

lines, and a spectacular Atlantic crossing

using fuel cells alone is planned to take

place as early as 2012. The goal: to cut back

kerosene usage – and thus CO2 emissions

– on a massive scale. TÜV Rheinland is cur-

rently developing safety standards for the

operation and maintenance of fuel cells for

use in commercial aviation.

Anti-turbulence sensors

The future of aviation promises to be ex-

citing: engineers are working hard on ideas

that could technologically revolutionize air

travel by the year 2050. These include en-

gines integrated into the fuselage and new

materials and construction methods that

reduce fuel consumption as well as self-

cleaning passenger seats and anti-turbu-

lence sensors to counter the effects of air

pockets. All are realistic engineering objec-

tives – the required technologies already

exist – but they must be adapted for imple-

mentation.

Author Frank Schätzing envisions the revo-

lution much earlier: in his thriller novel “Lim-

it,” mankind overcomes the barrier of the

earth’s atmosphere by 2025 – with a space

elevator to the moon.

Caring for the most vulnerable:

Parents can now use children’s

car seats on airplanes. TÜV

Rheinland has developed a te-

sting process that is now inte-

grated in European aircraft ope-

rating regulations. Suitable child

seats are marked with the TÜV

Rheinland label “For use in air-

craft.”

In brief: The dependency glo-

bal societies on air traffic be-

came clear in April 2010. Ash

from an Icelandic volcano

spread across Europe – with

devastating consequences: up

to 2.5 billion euros in lost

sales and 100,000 canceled

flights, according to the EU

Commission.

INFORMATION

Martin Sperbermartin.sperber@de.tuv.com+49 221 806-1771

13contact 3.10

VOICES

“We chose TÜV Rheinland above all because the quality of this type of service is the top priority in a highly

complex airport. From expert technical opinions on the refurbishment of a roof to the inspection of extremely

sophisticated special equipment – with TÜV Rheinland, we have a qualified partner for each discipline. And in

case I need help right away, the colleagues are always there for me.”

Udo Nuss, technical manager at the Cologne-Bonn Airport

Flying Technology & Safety

TÜV RHEINLAND’S SERVICES FOR THE AVIATION INDUSTRY

Aircraft manufacturers and suppliers: R&D consulting on aircraft components and products such as

seats and safety belt systems; analysis of construction and operation regulations; development of test plans

and completion of tests; quality management certification

Airlines: Consulting on procurement of cabin furnishings as well as on cabin safety and all questions related

to operational safety and equipment failure; implementation of IT security measures; staff qualification and

management; certification “Child’s seat welcome” for use of children’s car seats in aircraft

Airport operation and safety: Support in all phases in- cluding approval, planning,

construction, operation and relocation; risk and project man-

agement; support in compliance with operator regulations and

airport processes such as passenger, luggage and aircraft

handling; safety & security e.g. in facility management and IT

communication; noise measurements as required for ap-

proval, acoustic tests, emissions prognoses, noise re-

duction, acoustic planning and assessment Airport logistics: Consult-

ing, expert opinions, certifica-

tion in aviation and non-avia-

tion areas; staff services

Facts

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A lively exchange: a delegation from Bangalore recently met with ex-

perts from TÜV Rheinland to discuss training opportunities for Indian

specialists in the field of renewable energy. As part of a collaboration

with Jain University Bangalore, the Indian professors visited several

research facilities in the Cologne region and also made a detour to the

TÜV Rheinland headquarters. The German Federal Ministry for Econom-

ic Cooperation (BMZ) is a further project partner. In addition, delegates

from East Africa visited the head office of TÜV Rheinland to learn about

the development of a regional infrastructure for norms, testing and

quality management. TÜV Rheinland also initiated the Korolev Energy

Forum, where Russian and German representatives from politics and

business discussed the energy-efficient modernization of Russian resi-

dential buildings.

THE WORLD COMES TO TÜV RHEINLAND

Information: Gorica Glisic, gorica.glisic@de.tuv.com

Cooperation in the areas of electromobility and

urban development was the focus of the Ger-

man-Chinese Dialog Forum (DCD), which was

recently chaired by Professor Dr. Bruno O.

Braun for the first time. Initiated in 2005 by the

Chinese and German governments, the forum

brings together the executive boards of several

major corporations, members of the German

Bundestag and the European Parliament, as

well as media, cultural and legal representa-

tives.

Under the leadership of Professor Dr. Braun,

President of the Supervisory Board of TÜV

Rheinland and President of the Association of

German Engineers (VDI), the German delega–

tion met with the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao

and the German Federal Chancellor Angela

Merkel, among other guests.

ENERGETIC DISCOURSE

Information: Hartmut Müller-Gerbes,hartmut.mueller-gerbes@de.tuv.com

14

and Figures

Further education by the Rhine: the professors from Jain

University Bangalore during their visit to TÜV Rheinland.

TÜV Rheinland has certified the quality and envi-

ronmental management system of Deutsche Post

Real Estate Germany. Under the leadership of

Erich Grünes, six auditors inspected the Bonn

headquarters of the Deutsche Post DHL subsidi-

ary, as well as assessing 16 additional locations.

The simultaneous certification of the headquarters

and the other offices created distinct synergy ef-

fects. Deutsche Post Real Estate Germany em-

ploys more than 1,000 staff members whose du-

ties include managing the buildings controlled by

the Deutsche Post. Now that it has obtained certi-

fication, the company plans to present itself even

more actively as a service provider for comprehen-

sive real estate management.

CERTIFIEDSERVICES

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Information: Erich Grünes,erich.gruenes@de.tuv.com

Evonik Degussa is the first manufacturer of

amino acids for animal feed to have under-

taken a comparative environmental perform-

ance assessment. The results showed that throughout their entire life cycle –

from the extraction of raw materials to the manufacturing process and agricultural

usage – the synthetic amino acids produced by Evonik have less impact on the

environment than organically generated amino acids made from wheat or soya.

TÜV Rheinland has now certified these findings. In addition to the professional

evaluation of existing studies, TÜV Rheinland also issues and certifies eco-bal-

ance sheets and performs ecological efficiency analyses, as well as creating

product/corporate carbon footprints and water footprints.

A POSITIVE BALANCE

Information: Bahar Cat-Krause, bahar.cat-krause@de.tuv.com

Compliance means observing standards, laws and guidelines. Together with sus-

tainability and corporate social responsibility, it is considered one of the key areas

of responsible company management. After all, businesses can be severely

damaged by corruption or the illegal conduct of individual employees. During a

management symposium held by TÜV Rheinland in early October at the Nürburg-

ring, the participants focused on practical concepts and measures that can be

readily implemented. TÜV Rheinland informed around 50 decision makers from

the business and industrial sectors about the potential benefits of risk analysis, IT

and corporate governance. As a neutral testing services provider that enjoys wide-

spread social acceptance as well as high levels of respect and trust, TÜV Rhein-

land itself also places a strong emphasis on the topic of compliance. To address

the challenges of its day-to-day business and offer each employee the assistance

they need, it has developed a company-wide compliance program. This includes

preventative measures to identify unacceptable behavior, with a particular focus

on corruption. The goal is to promote transparency on both an internal and an

external level.

CONCEPTS FOR THE FIGHT

AGAINST CORRUPTION

Information: tobias.kirchhoff@de.tuv.com; aiko.bode@de.tuv.com

ICED IN – BUT SAFE

AND SOUND!

16 contact 3.10

Technology & Safety Winter Sports1616

On the slopes: eyewear and helmets

A good helmet must fit perfectly, neither too loose nor

too tight. It’s best to try on several different models be-

fore purchasing. The rule of thumb: Class A and B hel-

mets are suitable for Alpine skiing, snowboarding and

other similar activities. Class B helmets generally offer

better ventilation and less hearing obstruction, but pro-

tect a smaller area of the head and are less resistant to

penetration, e.g. by sharp rocks, in the event of a fall.

When it comes to eyewear, winter sports enthusiasts

should pay attention not only comfort and ample ventila-

tion, but also to protection from ultraviolet (UV) rays as

well as the right tinting for the weather conditions. For

sunny weather, Category 3 is recommended: the lenses

are deeply shaded and offer the highest level of UV pro-

tection. Conclusion: a good fit, ventilation, safety and

the GS GS Mark of approval are the decisive criteria.

On ice: skates

In a skate, the most important thing is a good fit: the boot

– often leather, but increasingly made of synthetic mate-

rials – must offer especially good support and safety in

ankle area. At the same time, it must not be too tight, as

this can lead to painful blisters. Soft-boot ice skates with

foam rubber inners provide a comfortable fit, while the

plastic outer shells protect the feet in the event of a fall.

Hobby athletes are well advised to choose hockey skates.

Their reinforced outer shells protect against collisions and

other impacts, like hockey stick blows. Classic leather

figure skating skates are best for pirouettes. And anyone

wishing to glide across a frozen lake should first make

sure that it has been officially declared safe for skating.

Conclusion: attention should be paid to a good fit,

comfort and the GS Mark of approval.

17contact 3.10

From snow-covered mountains to frozen lakes, the cold season offers plenty of

great sports opportunities – provided you have the right equipment. TÜV Rhein-

land tests winter sports products for safety on a regularly basis, and has some

good advice on how to choose your gear.

INFORMATION

Britta Behnertbehnert@de.tuv.com+49 221 806-2430

Vacation time: roof boxes for skis

Head for the hills: before setting out by car for a winter vaca-

tion, everything must be properly stowed in order to keep the

vehicle balanced and avoid risk of accident. Luggage should be

distributed evenly in the trunk – heavy suitcases at the bottom,

lighter items on top. Use a roof box or rack bearing the GS Mark

to carry winter sports gear. Important: the weight must not ex-

ceed the vehicle’s maximum roof load. Check to ensure all items

remain secured during regular rest stops. Before starting the

trip, adjust tire pressure to the additional weight and make sure

the headlights are set to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers. And

remember: due to the load, your braking distance is longer.

Thinking ahead is even more important than during regular dri-

ving. Conclusion: attention must be paid to correct stow-

age, maximum roof load and headlight positioning; extra

caution is required when driving and roof racks or boxes

should bear the GS Mark of approval.

Downhill all the way: sleds

A winter highlight for children: sliding down a snow-

covered hill with mom and dad. The safest way down is

on a sled bearing the GS Mark. The approval, issued by

TÜV Rheinland, guarantees that the sleigh or toboggan

will hold up under the weight of all passengers. The skids

or runners should be formed to keep the vehicle on track.

A word of caution when using inflatable sleds or saucer

sleds: the absence of runners makes them difficult to

keep under control. This is especially the case for small

children, whose motor skills are not yet fully developed.

Sleds equipped with steering wheels are also unsuitable

for children, as they are too challenging to handle.

Conclusion: the intended use must be considered be-

fore purchasing a sled. Whichever model is chosen, it

should bear the GS Mark of approval.

oose y

ds

n: slidi

A

PERFECT

CYCLE

Dr. Christoph Lüpschen is considered a

pioneer in the field of biogas invest-

ment. The 43-year-old holds a doc-

torate in agricultural engineering and

runs a farm with 400 head of cattle in

the Cologne region.

On his own initiative, agriculturist Dr. Christoph Lüp-

schen dared to take a big step towards alternative

energy production. Together with several partners,

he constructed a highly efficient biogas plant on his

farm. Dr. Frank Voßloh, Executive Director of the In-

dustrial Services Business Stream at TÜV Rheinland,

spoke with Dr. Lüpschen about his motives, the pro-

cess and its success.

18 contact 3.10

Voßloh: Dr. Lüpschen, you built a biogas plant on your

farm. Why?

Lüpschen: I mainly wanted to play an active role in pro-

tecting the environment, but economic considerations

were also a factor. The plant gives me the opportunity to

increase the revenue of my agricultural business. And the

income security provided by the German Renewable

Energy Sources Act (EEG) was important to me, too. To-

gether with several like-minded cooperation partners, I

founded the “Rhein-Energie Biokraft Objekt Scheider-

höhe GmbH”, which runs the plant as an association.

Voßloh: Can you reveal some details about it?

Lüpschen: It’s a so-called co-fermentation plant, which

doesn’t just process liquid manure but also other organic

substances. It supplies my farm, as well as a neighboring

business and an inn with district heating. The electricity

generated by the gas turbines is fed into the power grid.

Manure, slurry, food leftovers and fats provide the “fuel”.

We need about 60 tons of this per day and the biogas

plant produces 800 kilowatts of electricity per hour in

total. I also run a photovoltaic system that generates up

to another 210 kilowatts. Of course, the investment costs

of around four million euros are significantly higher than

for a “normal” biogas plant.

Voßloh: And how have your experiences been so far?

Biogas Technology & Safety

19contact 3.10

INFORMATION

Dr. Frank Vosslohfrank.vossloh@de.tuv.com+49 221 806-2424

Lüpschen: The local attitude was highly positive right

from the start and the council also voted strongly in our

favor. The conditions were ideal! However, the authoriza-

tion process took an extremely long time due to the pilot

nature of the project. The plant’s construction was initially

subject to council approval and if the authorities had re-

fused to endorse it, we would have had to pull it all down

and reimburse everybody. We took a big risk but it paid

off in the end and we’re very proud of the plant.

Voßloh: What were the greatest difficulties?

Lüpschen: For me, the biggest challenge was coming to

terms with the legal requirements and approval proce-

dures. They’re very complicated in Germany and novices

have a hard time keeping up. We then encountered un-

expected problems during the approval process. To start

with, the planned location next to my farmyard was rejec-

ted, even though there wasn’t a single objection in the

neighborhood and we’d received plenty of support

instead! There were several critical aspects of the ap-

proval process that we should have known about during

the planning phase.

Voßloh: What would you do differently today?

Lüpschen: Right from the planning stage, I would make

sure I had the support of experts who could guide me

through the approval procedures, relieve me of some of

the workload and warn me about potential problems. In

hindsight, I really could have done with the specialists

from TÜV Rheinland.

Voßloh: Dr. Lüpschen, thank you for your time today.

There are currently around 5,800 biogas plants

in Germany. International figures are not yet

available. Over the past decade, the industry in

Germany has grown by 425 percent. Biogas is

primarily used to operate block heat and power

plants, which generate electricity that can then

be fed into the power grid. The resulting waste

heat is employed for heating and other purpo-

ses. Biogas can also be fed into the public elec-

tricity grid via micro gas networks or used to

fuel vehicles. It is important to know whether a

plant requires authorization according to the

German Federal Immission Control Act (BIm-

SchG). It must also fulfill additional legal requi-

rements. TÜV Rheinland assists aspiring opera-

tors with the approval process and performs all

the necessary technical inspections, including

safety and immissions tests, risk assessment

and the compilation of explosion protection do-

cuments.

TÜV RHEINLAND AS A PARTNER

DEVELOPMENT OF BIOGAS PLANT CONSTRUCTION IN GERMANY

2002

Number of biogas plants

Installed power capacity

Nu

mb

er o

f pla

nts

Inst

alle

d p

ow

er c

apac

ity (M

W)

1,500

500

1,000

1,500

2,0002,300

1,893

5,800

4,900

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000

4,500

5,000

5,500

6,000

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

20

The Elaeis guineensis is in great demand.

More oil per hectare of crop land can be

obtained from its fruit than from any other

plant. Originating in Africa, the oil palms are

now primarily being planted in Southeast

Asia, where they are extremely beneficial

to the economy. To put that in numbers:

one hectare of palm oil plantation yields up

to four tons of oil per year. By comparison,

the same surface area of rapeseed only

delivers a paltry 0.6 tons of oil a year.

Around the world, palm oil production

levels have doubled since 1995 – and are

likely to keep rising. New plantations are

being created every day, often by slashing

and burning virgin forests. That poses a

considerable threat to the environment

because the layers of peat on the forest

floor trap vast amounts of CO2, which are

released during burning.

Protecting the environment

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil

(RSPO) has been working for many years

to promote sustainable methods of palm

oil production and thereby minimize envi-

ronmental damage. In addition to environ-

mental protection organizations and other

NGOs (non-governmental organizations),

its members mainly include companies and

institutions from the palm oil manufactur-

ing industry, such as plantation operators,

dealers and industrial purchasers, but also

investors and banks. The board is made up

of 303 members, of which 282 are busi-

nesses and the remaining 21 are environ-

mental and social organizations.

For minimum wages, against

child labor

Since receiving accreditation from the

Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO),

TÜV Rheinland has primarily certified enor-

mous palm oil plantations in Malaysia and

Indonesia. “Our auditors visit the plan-

tations to ensure that the guidelines for

sustainable production are being met,”

explains Manfred Lottig, Executive Director

of TÜV Rheinland in Malaysia. “We answer

questions like: ‘Have virgin forests been

cleared to build the plantation or have the

natural resources been preserved? What

are the working conditions like? Do the

employees earn a minimum wage and are

any children being forced to work there?’”

reports Ng Siew Theng Carol.

Each audit lasts around five days and is

conducted by four to five independent

assessors. The experts cover countless

kilometers in Indonesia and Malaysia be-

cause many plantations are located far

from the major cities. “Our on-site work is

not without danger,” says Manfred Lottig.

“Because the plantations are a long way

out in jungle areas, we do come across the

odd tiger – but luckily only from a distance.”

contact 3.10

GREEN OIL

Palm oil is used everywhere in daily life. However, its extrac-

tion is highly contentious from both an ethical and a socio-

economic standpoint. TÜV Rheinland certifies sustainable

production methods in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis)

Height: up to 30 meters

Yield: up to 50 kg of fruit

Pulp: consists of 45 - 50% oil

Palm oil: is extracted from

the pulp

Each palm can only be used for

oil production for 25 years

Usage: food (margarine, salad/

cooking oil, chocolate, potato

chips), cosmetics (creams, make-

up), cleaning agents, biofuels

Producing regions: Malaysia,

Indonesia, Thailand, Nigeria,

Columbia, Brazil

Main producers: Malaysia and

Indonesia account for 85% of the

global production

Principal customers: Europe,

India, China, Japan

Annual global production:

ca. 46 million tons

RSPO: initiated in 2003 by the

WWF; now has over 350 members

FACTS & FIGURES

21contact 3.10 21

The auditors are also there to help preserve

the diverse array of wildlife. “The standards

governing environmental compatibility are

our main priority at the plantations,” ex-

plains Carol Ng.

17 plantations already audited

The auditors from TÜV Rheinland also re-

cently started working in Thailand. There,

they helped the responsible authorities

develop a set of certification guidelines that

comply with the RSPO standards, as well

as the national laws. Since the beginning of

2010, TÜV Rheinland has audited 17 plan-

tations and certified five. The latter are all

located in Indonesia. Around 14 plantations

failed the initial inspection but were given

the chance to make improvements and

undergo a second audit.

The goal is to certify all palm oil produc-

ers according to the RSPO regulations

by 2015. Consumers can choose sustain-

ably manufactured palm oil by looking

for the RSPO logo on each product’s

packaging.

Palm Oil Trends & Innovation

INFORMATION

Manfred Lottigmanfred.lottig@my.tuv.com+6 03 8024 2400

Carol Ng certifies palm oil

plantations according to criteria

specified by the RSPO.

Trends & Innovation Wood

13 million hectares of forest are

lost to illegal forestry each year.

The economic damage: 15 billion

US dollars annually.

80 percent of the world’s rain forests are now destroyed – due to illegal

forestry. TÜV Rheinland has developed a method that allows precise tra-

cing of wood back to its origin. The service promises to be of considera-

ble value to import authorities and the forestry industry from 2012 on.

For the poor it’s a matter of life and death:

illegally felled trees are used to build despe-

rately needed shelter or serve as fuel where

no other source of energy is available. In

addition, selling poached wood is often the

only way to earn enough to feed a family.

Uncontrolled corporate greed, corruption

and often too slack national laws intensify

a problem that is especially severe in deve-

loping countries, but also occurs in Western

Europe and Russia. Experts estimate the

proportion of illegally felled wood on the

global market at 40 percent. In the EU, fur-

niture, floor materials and paper still contain

around 19 percent protected wood.

Mandatory declaration

The results are fatal: around 80 percent

of the rain forests that once covered

the earth have already fallen victim to

illegal forestry. As ecologically valua-

ble forests disappear and sustainable

forestry is hindered, desertification is

increasing and agricultural land is threa-

tened. Governments and environmental

groups all over the world have been

working for years on strategies to com-

bat illegal de forestation. But up to now

positive proof of a trafficking has been

difficult to obtain. To coincide with the

EU-wide import ban on protected woods

22 contact 3.10

and products made using them, which

takes effect in 2012, TÜV Rheinland has

developed a method that allows region-

specific tracing. With this move, TÜV

Rheinland is assuming a key role in the

worldwide fight for more transparency in

the forestry market. The innovative ser-

vice promises to be especially interesting

for customs authorities and government

institutions. “Using a physical process,

we can trace trees back to within 100 to

200 kilometers of their origins,” explains

Dr. Markus Boner, tracing expert with TÜV

Rheinland. Stable isotopes like carbon and

nitrogen are the key to success. Based on

the distribution and concentration of the

plant’s nuclides, the TÜV Rheinland wood

detectives can precisely identify a tree’s

country and re gion of origin. In addition,

TÜV Rheinland is working on an inter-

national isotope database, which could

further accelerate the tracing process. “As

an independent testing company, we’re

contributing this way to compliance with

legal forestry guidelines,” says Dr. Markus

Boner. Verification of origin by TÜV

Rheinland will also be important for EU

importers: they will be required to prove

that their products are in fact based on

legal forestry. Although there is currently

no schedule of fines in place, consumers

can already take action: legal wood can be

recognized by the FSC seal.

INFORMATION

Dr. Markus Boner Executive Director TÜV Rheinland Agroisolab GmbH markus.boner@de.tuv.com+49 24 61 93 13 4 - 0

DUCK BEATS

PORSCHE

23

Vintage Cars Markets & Expertise

contact 3.10

Special edition for a

maharajah: the Rolls

Royce Phantom II from

1934, also known as the

“Star of India”

Vintage cars are both an exciting and an elaborate hobby. Their

owners are enthusiasts who invest a lot of time and money in

their vehicles. Some are rewarded by an increase in value. But

then again, who would ever want to sell their treasure on

wheels?

Sven Kamerar is 42 and drives a 30-year-old

car – a 1980 Bentley T2 – at least once a

week. According to German law, the classic

British vehicle only just counts as a vintage

car. The journalist already fulfilled his adole-

scent dream of owning a historical vehicle

at a very young age. By comparison, Wolf-

gang Rücker only start-ed indulging his pas-

sion for classic cars much later in life, but

fell for them even harder to make up for it.

His first purchase was a 1927 Humber, fol-

lowed by a Horch 853 built in 1935 and a

Bentley 4.5 liter LeMans racing car from

1928. The 65- year -old regularly takes part in

rallies and recreational outings. “When I’m

around these cars, I become immersed

another world,” enthuses the business-

man. But that’s enough about the fun side

of things. What about the costs? Vintage

car lovers invest a great deal in their pre-

cious metal treasures. “A historical car is an

Lancia Astura, Bone-

schi convertible. Year: 1938.

Collectors often pay six-

figure sums for rarities of

this class.

antique that has to be correct-

ly stored, cared for and

maintained,” says Rücker.

For example, Kamerar takes

his car to a Bentley specia-

list for maintenance and

repairs.

There, they know what

they’re doing and have

the right specialty tools.

By contrast, the fixed

costs are barely worth

mentioning. Classic

cars are relatively

cheap to insure be-

cause the owners typically

drive infrequently and safely, while other

motorists take greater care than usual

when they spot one of the valuable rarities

on the road. The taxes are also reasonable.

Since receiving the German “H” license

plate for historical vehicles, Kamerar has

paid just under 200 euros a

year for his Bentley.

“When my car was still

29 years old, I had to fork

out around 1,700 euros in

car tax – which is hardly

surprising considering that

it has a displacement of 6.8

liters and no catalytic con-

verter.”

Value enhancement of up

to six percent

And are classic vehicles a good

investment, as some financial

media sources claim? A glance

at the German vintage car index

(Deutscher Oldtimer-Index, or

DOX) published by the German

Association of the Automotive

Industry (VDA) seems to back

them up. Representing 88 classic post-war

vehicles, the index rose steadily by a re-

spectable 5.7 percent per year between

1999 and 2009. It only dropped slightly by

contact 3.10

1.9 percent for the first time over the past

six months.

However, the VDA doesn’t want this perfor-

mance to be seen as a recommendation.

“While our index might display trends, the

positive overall market development in the

past doesn’t necessarily mean that individu-

al vehicles will continue to increase in value

in the future,” warns Stefan Röhrig from

the VDA. “Vintage cars should be bought

by people who enjoy them and can afford

to maintain them in the long term.” The

index only serves as a rough guideline be-

cause different versions of the same model

sell for wildly different prices depending on

the cars’ condition. And as public tastes

change, the price development also varies

greatly from model to model. Interestingly,

luxury cars don’t top the list of vehicles that

have gained the most value. Instead, the

first two positions are held by former bread-

and-butter cars. First place in the German

vintage car index goes to the Citroën 2CV

(lovingly known as the “Ente”, or “Duck”),

followed by the Fiat 500. The Porsche 924

currently ranks third. However just six

months ago, its owners had to make do

with eleventh place.

Age alone isn’t enough

Regardless of whether it’s intended for per-

sonal use or as an investment object, a

vintage car only becomes truly exciting on-

ce it has been officially approved and regis-

tered as a historical vehicle. One of the re-

quirements is a full inspection by a testing

organization like TÜV Rheinland, particularly

if the vehicle has remained unregistered for

a long time, if it has been imported from

abroad, or if the registration documents

have gone missing. Sometimes, detective

skills are also necessary: the experts pore

over the relevant literature or search the

Internet to piece together the technical da-

ta, often with success.

The vintage car certificate is another import-

ant prerequisite for registration – and also

24

THE ICING ON THE CAKE

Fiat Dino Coupé 2.4 S

with a Ferrari engine.

Year: 1971. Value:

20,700 to 24,200 euros

(source: oldtimer-info.de)

THE ENTRY-LEVEL

Vintage Cars Markets & Expertise

contact 3.10

OVERVIEW

Have the registration documents gone missing? Has your vintage

car been unregistered for a long time? Or do you want to sell

your investment at a profit? The specialists from TÜV Rheinland

can help answer these questions and many more. The following

services are tailor-made for the world of classic cars:

COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE FOR RARE VEHICLES

for the cheaper classic vehicle insurance

rates. “It’s not enough for a car to simply

be older than 30 years,” explains Roland

Zangers, authorized inspector with TÜV

Rheinland in Mönchengladbach. “We also

check whether the vehicle is in a condition

that’s worth preserving and whether it’s

mainly made of original parts.”

While certain retrofitted components such

as indicators and safety belts are permitted

or even compulsory, others are considered

taboo. “For example, a modern tuned en-

gine is a no-go,” says the classic car expert.

“Especially so-called hot rods that have un-

dergone major technical and optical changes

have no chance of being accepted as vin-

tage cars.”

Mercedes Benz 300 SE Coupé,

built in 1965, currently worth

39,500 to 46,200 euros

(source: oldtimer-info.de)

The Citroen 2CV AZU 250,

built in 1954, selling for 5,500

to 6,400 euros

(source: oldtimer-info.de)

THE CONSERVATIVE

THE FAVORITE

25

Evaluationfor insurance purposes or a planned

sale

Damage assessmentfollowing an accident

Vintage car certificateto obtain a German “H” license plate

Proof of authenticityfor frame and body components

Alteration approvalfor the use of parts other than those

specified in the registration documents

Full inspectionif the car has been permanently

deregistered or has remained unregi-

stered for more than seven years

Adviceon restoration or maintenance issues

Data acquisitionfor imported vehicles or lost docu-

ments

Historical motorsportsvehicle inspections and services at vin-

tage car rallies

THE CONSERVATIIIVEVEVEVEVEEEEEVEVE

INFORMATION

Roland Zangersroland.zangers@de.tuv.com+49 2161 822-126

EXPERTISE AND GUT INSTINCT

Where it all start-

ed: in the fifties,

the queues at the

inspection centers

were still quite

manageable. That

changed dramati-

cally in 1961 when

testing became

mandatory.

The inspection sticker required for vehicles registered in Germany looks back on a 50-year history. Egon Seul,

former officially authorized motor vehicle expert with TÜV Rheinland, thinks back on the hard day-to-day work

during the Economic Miracle. Today TÜV Rheinland uses high-tech methods to conduct four million vehicle in-

spections annually on a global scale and remains the largest inspection company in the world.

26 contact 3.10

In the late 1950s the Federal Republic is in

the middle of a massive upswing: the Eco-

nomic Miracle. The number of new vehicle

registrations shoots up from around 565,000

in 1957 to just under one million in 1960.

Since 1951 authorities have been sending

out “invitations” to regular vehicle inspec-

tions, later to be termed general inspection

(Hauptuntersuchung, HU), to car owners.

But the boom is too much for the authori-

ties, and there are no official control mecha-

nisms. In an increasingly motorized country,

traffic safety is endangered. Accident statis-

tics – including those caused by technical

defects – rise considerably. At least motor

vehicle registration laws undergo a far-reach-

ing reform: as of January 1961, the general

inspection sticker, indicating when the next

inspection is due and affixed to the rear li-

cense plate, is introduced. At a glance, poli-

ce can now identify negligent latecom ers

who fail to have their vehicles inspected on

time. The result: an avalanche of cars

overruns the inspection centers. As Egon

Seul, then authorized expert at TÜV Rhein-

land in Cologne, remembers, “Sometimes

we had 400 vehicles at once in the yard.”

For this reason, TÜV Rheinland opens a

temporary “branch office” in a parking lot.

In wind and rain, the experts crawl under a

ramp to inspect cars from the underside. A

board offers minimal protection from the

hard asphalt. “Where we now have the bra-

ke test bench, back then we had nothing but

gut feeling to go on,” says the 76-year-old

with a smile. In line with increased aware-

ness of the importance of environmental

protection, the smog check program (Ab-

gassonderuntersuchung, ASU) becomes

mandatory in April 1985 – initially for gaso-

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1961

INFORMATION

Hans-Ulrich Sanderhans-ulrich.sander@de.tuv.com+49 221 806-3966

People & Environment 50 Years of General Inspections

Headlamp testing

back then: an inspec-

tor checks that the

lights are correctly

adjusted.

Pioneering era:

general inspections

at mobile (l.) and

regular (r.) test

centers in the

1960s.

Focusing on environ-

mental protection:

following the general

inspection, the

smog check program

becomes mandatory

in 1985.

27contact 3.10

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2011

2020200202022020202020202002020202020220202020202020220202020222020202 1515151515151515151515515151515551515151551515555155555515555

line-powered vehicles, and as of 1993 for

diesel as well. In 2006 tests of electronically

controlled systems like airbags, ABS and

ESP become part of the general inspection.

As of 2010 the emissions check becomes

part of the general inspection, and the text

hexagonal sticker formerly affixed to the

front license plate disappears.

Today TÜV Rheinland’s international vehicle

safety inspection activities have gone high-

tech. The success of the general inspection

speaks for itself: in Germany alone, annual

traffic fatalities sank to 4152 in 2009, an all-

time low since large-scale motorization began

in the 1950s. From France, Germany, Spain

and Latvia to Argentina, Chile and Senegal,

TÜV Rheinland carries out around four million

vehicle inspections annually. In Latvia’s capital,

Riga, the company operates the world’s lar-

gest testing station, a 12-lane facility. And the

general inspection has already entered the

future: alternative propulsion technologies like

gas, electricity and hybrid solutions are part of

day-to-day business. TÜV Rheinland certifies

testing facilities and service centers and trains

professionals to handle new-generation vehi-

cles throughout the entire value chain. “Our

rule is: the electrical vehicle with its high-volt-

age technology and special drive systems

must be as safe as a conventional car in every

way,” explains Dr. Thomas Aubel, Executive

Vice President Mobility with TÜV Rheinland.

SAUSAGES REPLACE

SUSHI

Asians place great

value on tradition

– even when it

comes to other

cultures.

“O’zapft ist!” When this drinking call rings out in Munich, not only the Bavarian capital rejoices.

The world’s biggest traditional folk festival is a hit – especially in Asia.

It’s been 200 years since King Ludwig I of

Bavaria launched Oktoberfest together with

Princess Therese, and it now attracts up to

six million fans to the Southern German

metropolis each year. All over the world,

roughly the same number of people cel-

ebrate simultaneously with mini festi-

vals in their own home towns.

For example, TÜV Rheinland

has been delighting its interna-

tional staff and customers

with regular invitations to local

activities for many years. The

Bavarian beer fest is also a

much loved event in numerous

Chinese and Taiwanese cities.

In 2010, the biggest Chinese

festival to follow Munich’s ex-

ample took place in the former

German colony of Qingdao.

Over the course of three

weekends, around 600,000

visitors amused themselves in more than

30 tents, consuming about 300,000 liters of

beer to revive throats that were parched

from singing.

The Asian revelers celebrated with similar

zeal and euphoria to the German creators.

Those who could get them even

dressed up in lederhosen or a

dirndl. They downed their one-

liter mugs of beer to traditional

Bavarian brass tunes and cre-

28 contact 3.10

ated their own versions of Bavarian folk

dances. The atmosphere was designed to

be as close to the original as possible – and

just as festive, of course. “Oktoberfest is a

good opportunity to strengthen our busi-

ness relationships in a relaxed environ-

ment,” explains Dr. Tatiana Tarasova from

TÜV Rheinland in Japan. It’s become quite

socially acceptable in Japan to relax the nor-

mally strict rules of etiquette and hierarchy

during Oktoberfest. “The guests really enjoy

celebrating and engaging in games and

other activities,” adds Dr. Tarasova. Inciden-

tally, both the Japanese and the Chinese

also place great value on “exotic” fare such

as German “Wuerstl” sausages. In Asia,

October is the busiest season for butchers

with German ties and registered German

master brewers. And of course, the refresh-

ments are served in a Bavarian-style atmo-

sphere complete with Asian waitresses in

dirndls – a real hit with all the guests.

festi Those who

dressed up

dirndl. The

liter mugs

Bavarian

INFORMATION

Dr. Tatiana TarasovaTatiana.tarasova@jpn.tuv.com+81 45 470 1880

People & Environment Asian Oktoberfest

A DIFFERENT

PERSPECTIVEAs a child, he wanted to

be a zoo director. Now,

he captures people and

animals with his camera

to the delight of a broad

audience. Thomas

Ernsting’s shots for

Stern, GEO and National

Geographic draw atten-

tion to topics that are re-

mote and new. A profile of

the popular feature and

technical photographer,

whose strengths include

curiosity and a perfect

sense of timing.

Thomas Ernsting People & Environment

contact 3.1030

Experts adjust part

of a spectrum

analyzer at the

Rohde & Schwarz

electronics

corporation.

A ship is fitted

with a propeller in

the world’s largest

dry dock at the

Meyer Werft ship-

yard in Papenburg.

Measuring electro-

magnetic waves

(above) and simu-

lating a collision

(below) at TÜV

Rheinland.

31contact 3.10

Weighing up his own creative output

Thomas Ernsting settled down a little after

the birth of his two children and went

looking for an occupation that would keep

him closer to home. He discovered techni-

cal photography. He has since worked in

the new St. Gotthard Tunnel and in car

manufacturers’ wind tunnels, photographed

the shuttles at the Kennedy Space Center

and examined an innovative, angular rocket

in Oberpfaffenhofen. On one occasion, a

jumbo jet was even rolled onto the airfield

especially so that he could capture its

image in the sunset. After all, unusual pic-

tures call for unusual measures.

The key to his success: “I try to transfer the

principles of feature photography to the

world of technical photography.” When

Ernsting accompanies the experts at work,

he composes his pictures with technology

in the background and people in the leading

roles. Visitors to the TÜV Rheinland head-

quarters in Cologne had the opportunity to

experience the impact of his work this sum-

mer: For the “Deutsche Technikstraße”

(“German Engineering Road”) project,

which was initiated by the Association of

German Engineers (VDI) as part of the

“Sachen machen” (“Making things”) cam-

paign, he photographed high-tech locations

all over Germany – including TÜV Rheinland

test centers – and created an awe-inspiring

exhibition.

Be it children in Nepal or the aerodynamics

of a car, Ernsting always strives to arouse

curiosity about the unknown, about far-

away places and about new things. To ma-

ke sure he succeeds, the 51-year-old con-

stantly weighs up his own creative output:

“I focused on technology for a long time be-

fore suddenly realizing that something was

Thomas Ernsting owes his career to four

women. Three elderly countrywomen from

a farm near his childhood home in Münster-

land were the stars of his first photo fea-

ture. He accompanied them with his cam-

era for a year, little knowing that the results

would later gain him one of the most pre-

stigious prizes in the photojournalism indus-

try. “I always wanted to work for GEO ma-

gazine,” says Ernsting, “so I sent them

some of the photos but they were re-

jected.”

Undeterred by this rebuff, Ernsting submit-

ted the feature to the renowned World

Press Photo Contest. “When I asked if I

could take part and explained that I wasn’t

a photographer yet but wanted to become

one, they laughed themselves silly.” How-

ever, he was allowed to participate – and he

won. His photos were printed by the Ger-

man magazine “Stern”. A short time later,

GEO contacted him again, this time with his

first commission.

The fourth woman to strongly influence

Ernsting’s career was his mother. “When I

was young, I first wanted to become a zoo

director and then a photographer. My

mother didn’t think either profession would

earn me much money.” So they made a

deal: “She promised to pay my living ex-

penses for a year so that I could establish

myself as a photographer – but only after I

had completed my studies.”

The dream of becoming a photographer

survived his studies in geodesy intact.

Ernsting’s mother kept her promise and he

launched his career, later receiving commis-

sions that took him to the remotest corners

of Africa, Asia and Australia. The 51-year-old

has already taken photos for more than 50

feature articles in GEO alone.

Building the St. Gotthard

Tunnel (above and center);

an artificial sky at the

Fraunhofer Institute for

Building Physics (below).

Thomas Ernsting People & Environment

Editorial InformationPublisher: TÜV Rheinland Holding AG, Communication,

Am Grauen Stein, D-51105 Cologne

Phone: +49 221 806-4314 Editor: Aud Feller

Fax: +49 221 806-1760 Text: S+L Partners GmbH, Köln

Internet: www.tuv.com Printing: Druckhaus Ley + Wiegandt, Wuppertal

Photo Credits: Thomas Wels: p. 3; TÜV Rheinland: p. 3; Getty Images.com, pp. 4-5; Dean Mouhtaropulos - get-

tyimages.com: pp. 6, 7; AP images - gettyimages.com: pp. 8, 9; Matthias Geipel - Fotolia.com: pp. 10, 11; Egor

Mopanko - iStockphoto: pp. 12, 13; Olga Solovei - iStockphoto.com: p. 12; TÜV Rheinland: pp. 14, 15; Deutsche

Post Real Estate Germany GmbH: p. 15; Andreas Steinhardt - iStockphoto: pp. 16, 17; Douglas Bray - iStockphoto.

com: p. 16; walik - iStockphoto.com: p. 16; Richard Georg - iStockphoto.com: p. 17; fryka - iStockphoto.com: p.

17; Reinhard Witt: p. 18; BildPix.de - Fotolia.com: p. 19; TÜV Rheinland: pp. 20, 21; Abbielmages - iStockphoto.

com: p. 22; TÜV Rheinland: p. 22; TÜV Rheinland: pp. 23, 24, 25; Franco Di Meo: p. 25; Miroslav Boskov: pp. 26, 27;

TÜV Rheinland: pp. 26, 27; Ina Peters - iStockphoto.com: p. 28; TÜV Rheinland: p. 28; Lothar Wels: p. 29; Thomas

Ernsting: pp. 30, 31, 32; artcop - Fotolia.com: S. 32;

People & Environment Thomas Ernsting

32

missing. Now, I choose at least one topic

of my own each year – at my own risk.” He

most recently spent a year accompanying

a “music maker”.

Together with the instrument builder, he

roamed the great outdoors, seeking the

right wood for a cello in the forest and

testing the acoustics of a finished instru-

ment in the river or on fallen tree trunks.

And how does he capture this sound in his

images? “I try to press the button at the

precise moment when the music maker’s

face tells me that everything’s in place and

that all is well.” Even after 25 years, all is

well with Ernsting, too. “Photography is

still my dream job.”

And he still has one dream subject: ancient

cave paintings captured the way people

must have seen them at the time – by fire-

light. He’s already carefully planned how

he will simulate the tongues of flame using

tiny flashes reflected off uneven surfaces.

Entering the caves is strictly prohibited right

now, but who knows:

Ernsting has certainly over-

come enough obstacles in the

past.

32 contact 3.10

Ident-No. 107770

Further information is available at:

www.thomas-ernsting.de