As part of its ongoing commitment to energy transition and eco-responsibility, Saint Jean Industries SAS (Belleville-en-Beaujolais) recently welcomed a number of industrial companies to share its advances in waste heat recovery.

What is waste heat recovery?

Waste heat is the thermal energy produced by industrial processes that is normally lost to the environment without being exploited. This energy can be recovered and reused either directly on our industrial site (internal use), or injected into a district heating network serving other consumers such as hospitals, schools, gymnasiums, etc. (external use).

Saint Jean Industries’ waste heat recovery initiatives

Last December, we had the pleasure of welcoming Nathalie SIMON, Project Manager at Territoires d’Industrie Beaujolais, accompanied by Laura MEZIAT and Marie-Laure ENDERLIN from the Economic Development Department of the Communauté de Communes du Saône-Beaujolais (CCSB), to present our initiatives implemented in recent years to optimize the use of this often wasted energy. The meeting provided an opportunity to present key figures on our energy consumption, our energy-saving performance and the concrete projects deployed within our facilities.

Internal use

Among our flagship initiatives, in 2020 we introduced a system for recovering waste heat from our compressors and chillers. This recovered energy is reinjected to heat our machining buildings, thus reducing our overall energy consumption while improving the thermal comfort of our facilities.

In the near future, the internal heating network will be expanded to heat several other offices and produce domestic hot water.

External use via a district heating network

Another avenue being explored is the use of this waste heat for a district heating network. The idea is to supply the surplus from the internal heat network, as well as capturing the energy from the hot fumes from our smelting furnaces, and injecting it into a district heating network designed to heat public buildings, homes and other local infrastructures.

Two scenarios were evaluated:

• Surplus from the internal heat network: up to 15% of the municipal heat network requirement.

• Surplus from the internal heat network + recovery from hot smelting furnace fumes: 21% of the municipal heat network requirement.

Towards a more sustainable future

Following this initial meeting, a further meeting with local companies has been scheduled for February to continue these exchanges and present in greater detail our concrete actions to capture and valorize this waste heat. This approach enables us to reduce our carbon footprint while improving our energy efficiency.

These meetings are an opportunity to share our expertise and encourage other manufacturers to adopt similar solutions, so that together we can accelerate the decarbonization of our region. During our last exchange, a tour of our facilities enabled participants to discover our processes and technologies.

At Saint Jean Industries, we believe in the power of teamwork to meet environmental challenges and move industry towards a more responsible and sustainable approach.

At Saint Jean Industries, sport has always embodied our values of surpassing oneself, solidarity and cohesion. This year 2024 has been marked by two major international sporting events, strengthening our ties between our teams in France and China. 

A sporting collaboration born of a long-standing partnership

These initiatives are part of the partnership exchanges between the Communauté de Communes Saône Beaujolais (CCSB) and the city of Changshu, a project initially instigated by our Chairman, Emile Di Serio. These exchanges have brought our employees together around meaningful sporting challenges, while strengthening the ties that unite our two locations.

The Changshu Half Marathon: Saint Jean Industries energy in action

In October, a delegation of ten runners from Saint Jean Industries SAS crossed continents to take part in the Changshu Half Marathon, in the region where our Chinese subsidiary is located. This sporting adventure was a unique opportunity to share an unforgettable moment with our Changshu colleagues, and to proudly wear our colors on the international stage.

The challenge highlighted the team spirit that underpins our company, while testifying to our determination to go ever further, together.

The Beaujolais International Marathon: the ultimate sporting celebration

A few weeks later, it was the turn of a Chinese delegation to take part in the Marathon International du Beaujolais 2024. The delegation was warmly welcomed to the Saint Jean Industries headquarters in Belleville-en-Beaujolais, where they received their race numbers in a convivial atmosphere.

Accompanied by around thirty members of Saint Jean Industries SAS, they took to the festive roads of the Beaujolais region, perfectly embodying our values of sharing and friendship between cultures.

A team spirit that transcends borders

These two events are much more than just races: they symbolize a shared vision that transcends borders and reinforces our identity as an international company. Whether in Changshu or Belleville-en-Beaujolais, our teams demonstrated their commitment, enthusiasm and desire to build cultural and human bridges together through sport.

Congratulations to all our participants!

To find out more, read the articles published by the Patriote Beaujolais about these events:

👉 At Saint Jean Industries, a Chinese delegation received their numbers for the Beaujolais Marathon.

👉 Saint Jean Industries initiates sports partnership with China

Saint Jean Industries, a company where people are at the heart of projects

These moments illustrate our philosophy: moving forward together, taking on ambitious challenges and celebrating collective successes. We look forward to further sporting adventures.

During the Semaine de l'Industrie, Saint Jean Industries SAS strengthens its position both nationally and internationally. This is a unique opportunity for the company to share its technological advances, its commitment to sustainability and the importance of its human capital.

Our meetings at the heart of innovation for the future of industry

Saint Jean Industries has made innovation the heart of its business. During this month, Saint Jean Industries welcomed local elected officials and will be welcoming a Chinese delegation on Thursday, November 21, in order to strengthen its position both nationally and internationally. The Saint Jean Industries SAS teams presented the company’s commitment and vision for business development over the coming years.

These visits are a privileged insight into our expertise and cutting-edge technologies that are shaping the future of the automobile, particularly in the fields of lightweight chassis, electrification and safety. By making the most of lightweight materials such as aluminum, we are helping to reduce vehicle weight, thereby improving fuel efficiency and environmental impact.

Saint Jean Industries is also delighted to be taking part in Mobility Techdays on November 20 and 21 at Matmut Stadium, Lyon. This trade show is a must-attend event dedicated to innovations in mobility and the technologies of tomorrow. Our team will be on hand to discuss our solutions and expertise in the design of lightweight aluminum parts for the mobility sector, contributing to a more sustainable future.

A strong commitment to local training and employment

At Saint Jean Industries, we believe that the future of industry lies in investing in talent. Industry Week is an opportunity to strengthen our ties with the local community Over the past few weeks, Saint Jean Industries SAS has organized guided tours for local secondary schools, immersing them in the automotive world and introducing them to all the specifics of the industrial world, from design to molding to final component assembly.

Our teams were able to share their experience and passion, with the aim of inspiring the next generation to take up careers in industry.

Saint Jean Industries also created Saint Jean University in 2020. The aim of Saint Jean University is to develop the skills of Saint Jean Industries’ employees by offering them tailor-made training, as well as to promote the versatility of employees, particularly on the shop floor.

Saint Jean Industries is pleased to announce that we have obtained the renewal of QUALIOPI certification for Saint Jean University. This certification guarantees the quality of the training process delivered by a training organization. This enables us to attest to the quality of the training provided.

Today, SJU has 14 trainers, but it’s a big family that’s just waiting to grow even bigger!

Finally, Saint Jean Industries SAS is also delighted to announce the arrival of seven new work-study students this year. The success of Saint Jean Industries also lies in training this new generation. The whole Saint Jean Industries group welcomes them and hopes their experience at SJI will be the best it can be.

Saint Jean Industries faces ecological challenges

With environmental concerns on the rise, Saint Jean Industries is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2039.

During this Industry Week, we would like to highlight all these different initiatives in favor of the circular economy, such as aluminum recycling and the reduction of production waste. Photovoltaic panels have been installed since the end of 2022 at two of our sites in the Changshu industrial zone in China and at Mojados, near Valladolid in Spain.

The next steps to enable Saint Jean Industries to emit less pollution and achieve carbon neutrality are to equip the other Saint Jean Industries sites with photovoltaic panels, notably the Saint Jean Industries Stuttgart site, located in the city of Stuttgart, Germany, and also the Saint Jean Industries SAS site, the parent company of Saint Jean Industries, located in Belleville-en-Beaujolais, north of Lyon in France.

A date for the future

Industry Week is an ideal opportunity for Saint Jean Industries SAS to demonstrate our commitment to sustainability, innovation and employment. By collaborating with local partners and training young talent, we are actively contributing to the evolution of the French automotive industry. We are proud of our role in this sector, and look forward to continuing to innovate to meet the challenges of tomorrow.Saint Jean Industries SAS: Industry honored through innovation, training and sustainable commitment

At Saint Jean Industries, our ambition is clear: to support the most innovative projects by drawing on the company’s unique expertise in aluminum processing. A pioneer in the development of complex aluminum parts, SJI is committed to pushing back the frontiers of innovation by collaborating with partners who share the same passion for technical excellence.

It is in this spirit that Saint Jean Industries has collaborated with Beringer to develop an innovative technology, revolutionizing the all-terrain electrically assisted bicycle (VTTAE) sector. This collaboration is nothing new: it began at the end of 2018 with the creation of the world’s lightest aluminum BMX racing crankset, a project that proved SJI’s expertise in this field. Building on this initial success, the two companies recently launched an ambitious new challenge: the design of a seamless aluminum monoblock frame for VTTAEs, once again pushing back the limits of current manufacturing technologies.

The frame, produced using HPCC (High Precision Core Casting) technology, enables the creation of aluminum parts with complex, hollow shapes. This innovation offers a fluid design, better integration of components such as the battery, motor and cables, while maximizing the frame’s rigidity and reliability. What’s more, the absence of welding gives the product a unique carbon-like aesthetic.

*Low pressure die casting – Saint jean industries (st-ji.com)

**Machining – Saint jean industries (st-ji.com)

VTTAE frame technical specifications

Fluid design: modern aesthetics with no visible welds.

Versatility: suitable for everyday use on a variety of terrains.

Off-road comfort: VTTAE-specific suspension kinematics enhance the experience on all types of trails.

Integration: improved component layout optimizes ergonomics and performance.

Rigidity and reliability: a one-piece structure that offers excellent strength and precision without compromising comfort.

Saint Jean Industries, in partnership with Beringer, has risen to the challenge by designing the first one-piece aluminum frame. This innovative technology can, of course, be adapted to other needs or projects, and plays a major part in pushing back the limits of lightweighting in mobility solutions.

Thanks to this unique technology from Saint Jean Industries, Beringer offers three types of VTTAE models in three different sizes. If you would like to purchase one of the different VTTAE models sold by Beringer, please visit the following address: Bikes (ride-beringer.com).

The frame will be presented during the Mobility Techdays organized by Cara on November 20 and 21.

Belleville-sur-Saône, France - 11 July 2024 - Saint Jean Industries, specialising in the production of aluminium automotive components, is honoured to announce that it has received the prestigious Jaguar Land Rover Supplier Quality Award. The award recognises the company's outstanding commitment to excellence and innovation in the automotive supply chain. 

Recognition of excellence  

Jaguar Land Rover, an internationally renowned car manufacturer, awards this prize to suppliers who have demonstrated outstanding performance in terms of quality, reliability and innovation. Saint Jean Industries was selected for its ability to supply high quality components while meeting delivery deadlines and exceeding performance expectations.  

Saint Jean Industries has distinguished itself by its focus on innovation and quality. Continuous investment in research and development has enabled the company to offer products that not only meet the highest quality standards, but also the specific requirements of Jaguar Land Rover.  

A solid partnership  

The collaboration between Saint Jean Industries and Jaguar Land Rover is not new. For several years now, the two companies have been working hand in hand to develop innovative and sustainable solutions. This award reinforces that relationship by underlining the mutual trust and respect between the two companies.  

A dedicated and ambitious team  

The success of Saint Jean Industries is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of its teams. The employees, from the design office to the production teams, have all contributed to this achievement by making it a point of honour to deliver impeccable products and by constantly seeking to improve internal processes. Their expertise and passion were key to achieving this recognition from Jaguar Land Rover.  

Receiving the Jaguar Land Rover Supplier Quality Award is not only an honour, but also an additional motivation for Saint Jean Industries. The company is committed to continuing along this path of excellence and to further strengthening its partnership with Jaguar Land Rover. This award also opens up new prospects for Saint Jean Industries, consolidating its position in the automotive industry and enabling it to stand out from other carmakers looking for trusted partners.   

Watch below the ceremony at which Jaguar Land Rover presented Saint Jean Industries with the Supplier Quality Award:  

JLRQ Award Ceremony – YouTube