BAFA FUNDING

Staatliche Förderung zu Ihrem Vorteil!

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YOUR ADVANTAGE

Do you want to replace your old compressor with a new, more efficient device? Then you will now benefit from 25% funding from the state.

WHAT’S NEW?

In order to receive funding for products such as screw compressors, it is now necessary to submit an application to BAFA before ordering. The FILCOM GmbH team will be happy to support you with any questions you may have about funding and applications. Please note that ordering your compressor is only possible after receiving the positive funding decision, which usually takes approx. 2 – 6 weeks. There is no legal entitlement to funding.

Flyer “The BAFA funding continues” BAFA funding for compressed air technology

01

Why BAFA?

If you have an outdated compressed air system in your company that you would like to exchange for a new and more efficient device, then FILCOM GmbH is the right place for you! We will help you benefit from government funding of up to 25% from BAFA when purchasing a replacement.

The Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) supports various devices from the field of compressed air technology as part of the “Energy and Resource Efficiency in the Economy – Grants and Loans” program. This includes replacement purchases of compressed air systems such as screw compressors, retrofits/replacement purchases of higher-level controls, compressors with speed control, insulation of systems and systems for heat recovery as well as investments in ultrasonic measuring devices (leakage measuring devices) for locating leaks.

02

Features & Criteria

MODULE 1:

Companies with up to 250 employees can benefit from funding in Module 1, with small companies receiving a subsidy of 25% and medium-sized companies receiving a subsidy of 20%. There is the possibility of funding individual components either in Module 1 “Cross-sectional technologies” or in Module 4 “Energy-related optimization of systems and processes”.

The funding extends to the purchase and installation of the following systems and components:

  • Electric motors and drives
  • Compressed air systems and their higher-level controls

Please note that the systems or components for which funding is being applied for must replace existing systems or components in the company. New purchases are not supported!

MODULE 4:

Micro, small and medium-sized companies have the opportunity to promote systems based on specific technology concepts without having to create an extensive savings concept.

The funding rate is a maximum of 15% for small companies (KU) and a maximum of 10% for medium-sized companies (MU) (large companies are excluded from funding). The investment volume per measure must be at least 10,000 euros, with the maximum funding amount per project being 20 million euros.

In order to receive support, it is necessary to engage an energy consultant who can provide proof that the final energy amount will be reduced by at least 15% through the system replacement.

03

What are the requirements for an application?

NEW

From February 15, 2024, an updated guideline of the BAFA’s “Federal Promotion of Energy and Resource Efficiency” (EEW) funding program will come into force. Small and medium-sized companies that can either have a business registration or are registered in the commercial register or in the craft register are now eligible to apply for a subsidy.

This includes private companies, municipal institutions and freelancers, provided their business premises are primarily used for freelance work. Contractors are also entitled to carry out the corresponding measures on behalf of an eligible company with its registered office or branch in Germany.

The changes:

  • Only small and medium-sized companies are eligible to apply
  • The funding is limited to exchange investments
  • Thermal insulation measures can only be funded on existing systems
  • Heat exchangers are only funded if they are used to use waste heat from existing systems
  • There were editorial adjustments and further changes to the information sheet for cross-sectional technologies in Module 1

What category your company falls into is also important. According to the definition of the EU Commission (Recommendation 2003/361), small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are divided into micro-enterprises, small enterprises and medium-sized enterprises based on the number of employees, sales and total assets.

CATEGORY OVERVIEW

FUNDING RATES

  • Small and micro businesses: 25% funding
  • Medium-sized companies: 20% funding

INFO

It is possible to recognize 30% of the purchase costs for the system as additional costs, e.g. for services from an installation company or installation materials. These costs can also be funded with the corresponding funding rate of 20% or 25%.

04

Which technologies are subsidized by BAFA?

HIGH-EFFICIENCY COMPRESSORS

  • The pressure level must be between 4 and 15 bar overpressure
  • Compressors must have an average specific performance value when generating compressed air in accordance with their maximum working pressure (this also applies to speed-controlled compressors) and the maximum possible delivery quantity at this pressure, measured in accordance with ISO 1217 Annex C or Annex E and the tolerances specified there.
  • This value must be lower than the specified requirement value in the leaflet.
  • To determine the specific performance value, the base value from Table 2 is multiplied by the technology-specific conversion factor from Table 3.
Learn more

SUPERORDINATE CONTROL FOR MULTIPLE COMPRESSORS

  • If several individual compressors feed into the same consumer network in parallel, a higher-level control is required.
  • This control is intended to coordinate the operation of the individual compressors so that the compressed air requirement is covered in an optimal energy manner. For example, this can mean that the compressors are operated together within a certain pressure range.

ULTRASONIC METER

  • Funding is only possible if it is combined with another funded measure in accordance with Section 2.4. A maximum of one leak measuring device with a net investment cost of up to 500 euros can be eligible for funding per applicant.

HEAT RECOVERY

  • The thermal recovery performance must correspond to at least 70% of the electrical power that the compressor absorbs in nominal operation.

INFO

Cross-cutting technologies are technologies that have far-reaching impacts on various economic sectors and processes, leading to comprehensive structural change in the economy. They are known for their significant productivity effects and their outstanding energy efficiency, as is evident in the eligible compressors.

Find out more about BAFA cross-sectional technologies

Process flow

From the application to the payment of the BAFA subsidy

05

How do you apply for a compressor from BAFA?

  • The manufacturer must provide evidence by measuring the speed-controlled compressors both at maximum pressure and at 95% of the maximum possible delivery volume at that pressure.
  • In order to provide proof of heat recovery, a calculation must be carried out using the product data sheets for the heat exchanger and compressor.
  • Proof of higher-level control
  • If dryers are to be funded, it must be ensured that the refrigerants used meet the requirements of the general information sheet of the funding program.
General information sheet funding program
06

Are there restrictions on individual measures?

  • Investments with a net investment volume of at least 2,000 euros are eligible for funding and therefore entitle you to receive a subsidy. This includes the directly associated additional costs for planning and installation.
  • The funding is limited to a maximum of 200,000 euros. The total sum of all individual measures is considered a project.
  • The support for additional costs amounts to a maximum of 30% of the investment costs.
Information sheet for the application BAFA application form
07

Further information

Which technologies in the field of compressed air are supported by BAFA?

  • Highly efficient compressors, especially screw compressors, both with and without speed control, under the condition that the compressor is operated with low switching frequency and low idling proportion.
  • Higher-level controls for several compressors that enable demand-controlled optimization of the overall efficiency of the compressed air station.
  • Ultrasonic measuring devices for leak detection, especially in conjunction with the purchase of a highly efficient compressed air generator or a higher-level control system.
  • Heat exchanger for heat recovery in compressed air generation systems
  • These measures can be promoted in combination with a highly efficient compressor and an appropriate refrigeration or air dryer.

HIGHLY EFFICIENT CROSS SECTION TECHNOLOGIES – MODULE 1

Anyone who renews their existing compressed air system can receive BAFA funding of up to 300,000 euros per location, taking into account the de minimis aid regulation. However, it should be noted that a company may receive a maximum of €300,000 in de minimis aid within 3 tax years.

In comparison to promoting individual measures, systemic optimization not only enables the promotion of the compressor, but also the entire peripherals such as refrigeration dryers, filters, compressed air tanks, heat recovery and compressed air network including assembly. Up to 25% of the costs can be funded (for small companies: 25%, for medium-sized companies: 20%).

In addition, measures can be funded that contribute to improving the energy efficiency of a cross-sectional technology, taking into account the system connection. The prerequisite for funding is that at least one new compressor, ideally a screw compressor, is purchased in the system.

It is important to note that only investments with a net investment volume of at least 2,000 euros can benefit from BAFA funding.

In addition, before implementing the planned measure, you must wait for the decision (notification of funding) on the application at your own financial risk.

More about Module 1

ENERGY-RELATED OPTIMIZATION OF SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES – MODULE 4

Investment measures for the energy optimization of industrial and commercial systems and processes to increase energy efficiency as well as the use of heat from renewable energies and waste heat for commercial processes in micro, small and medium-sized companies are eligible for funding. The funding is technology-neutral and can also include the measures mentioned in modules 1 and 3.

The funded measures in this module are technology-neutral and also include, for example, fans. The prerequisite is a qualified savings concept that was created either by an approved energy consultant, the company itself (according to DIN EN 50001) or an EMAS-certified energy and environmental management system. An energy saving of at least 15% compared to the final energy of the replaced system must be proven.

The investment grant is a maximum of 15% for small companies and a maximum of 10% for medium-sized companies (large companies are excluded from the funding). The investment volume must be at least 10,000 euros per measure. The maximum funding amount per project is 20 million euros.

The measures contained in the Module 4 application may only be implemented after receipt of the funding notification. A premature start to the measures leads to a situation that is detrimental to funding, which means that funding is no longer possible in principle. However, delivery or service contracts that are part of the implementation can be concluded directly after the application is submitted.

Only in justified exceptional cases can an application for approval of an early start of measures be submitted in Module 4. The individual reasons that prevent you from waiting for the funding decision in each individual case must be explained separately.

More about Module 4

Your contact persons

Do you need advice or support? The team of FILCOM will be happy to assist you in applying for your subsidies for compressors as well as for screw compressors.

OUR BUSINESS HOURS

Monday to Friday

08:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. / 01:00 p.m. to 05:00 p.m.

Request now!

FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BAFA SUPPORT FOR COMPRESSORS

Here you will find answers to your questions

Answer

Module 1 includes the following products:

  • Screw compressor (standard system, frequency controlled system, system with attached dryer or stationary systems / complete systems)
  • Superordinate control system
  • Heat recovery (the thermal recovery capacity must correspond to at leat 70 % of the electrically absorbed power of the compressor in nominal operation)
Answer
  • If 2 compressors are required to cover the compressed air demand, then 2 compressors can also be promoted.
Answer
  • The dryer as a single unit is NOT eligible, but if the customer buys a screw compressor with matching refrigeration dryer (eligibility of the compressor according to table 4 provided) the matching dryer in combination with the compressor is eligible, but the specific capacity is consideered only from the compressor – the same applies to T-systems and combination dryers, such as the HYBRITEC.
Answer
  • The higher-level control system for compressed air generation is regarded as an independent cross-sectional technology and is therefore eligible for funding in both cases.
  • A higher-level control is even eligible without investment in compressed air generators, as a higher-level control for existing compressors.
Answer
  • No, because complete systems are eligbile as a whole.
  • Treatment components are only eligible in module 4.
Answer
  • No, it is not eligible in Module 1, but it is eligible in Module 4.
Answer
  • With the start of the new directive on 01.01.2019, not only an investment grant (BAFA) but also a “loan” is possible (KFW). This is a repayment grant.
  • For more information, please contact:
https://www.kfw.de/kfw.de-2.html
Answer
  • As of now, the additional form “early start of measures” is no longer required for the BAFA application for funding of cross-sectional technologies in module 1. You can therefore start implementing the planned measure – at your own financial risk- after BAFA has received it or wait for the decision (notification of funding) on the application.
Answer
  • The specialist contractor declaration is part of the proof of use procedure.
  • The specialist contractor declaration must be completed and signed by the installer (e.g. subcontractor). If two or more installers have been commissioned, the specialist contractor declaration must be completed by a copy of each of the installers. The specialist contractor confirms the accuracy of the information in the invoice claimed by the company regarding the cross-section technologies installed by him.
Answer
  • The 2018 application can only be cancelled if a legally binding order has not yet been placed. If this is the case, the customer must cancel the application with BAFA.
  • If the order for the system has already been placed, the application may not be cancelled. Should this nevertheless happen, BAFA may take legal action.
Answer
  • The copies of the invoices must show the net investment costs of the cross-sectional technology(ies) (e.g. single measure screw compressor).
  • The installation and planning costs (net) must be shown separately.
  • The labor costs must be shown separately from the material costs.
Answer
  • Planning and installation costs are eligible for a maximum of 30 %, but may not exceed a share of 30 % of the net investment sum. In this case, 30 % of the net investment sum is subsidized.
  • Eligible installation costs include, in particular, the expenses for setting up, assembling and connecting to existing systeems to produce an operational system.
  • The expenditure must be directly related to the energy efficiency measure (e.g. individual screw compressor measure).
  • Planning and installation services must be carried out by external third parties to be eligible for funding. Own work by the applicant is not eligible; an exception to this rule exists for energy service companies.
Answer
  • Confirmation that the technical system has been used in accordance with the application and is ready for operation.
  • By means of electronic proof of use form as well as
  • Specialist contractor declaration, which must be completed and signed by the responsible installer.
  • Proof of expenditure of the installed investment as well as planning and installation by means of invoices to be uploaded. The actually realized expenses without VAT (if entitled to deduct input tax), including discounts (even if these were not claimed) and rebates must be submitted.
  • In addition, a tabular voucher list must be attached in which the expenses are listed separately by type and in chronological order. This voucher list must show the date, recipient, reason and individual amount of each payment.
  • Declaration by the applicant on the non-utilization of other public funds to support the measure.
  • In the case of funding in accordance with 5.4, confirmation by a qualified energy consultant or the responsible in-house expert (if the applicant company has an energy or environmental management system certified in accordance with DIN EN ISO 50001 or EMAS) of the proper implementation of the savings concept is also required.
  • Confirmation of the truthful information