Mercedes Benz Factory 56

Factory 56 in Sindelfingen is a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility operated by the Mercedes-Benz Group AG, setting a benchmark for sustainable and digitalized automotive production. The assembly hall operates on a net carbon-neutral basis, powered by a combination of photovoltaic systems, stationary battery storage, and intelligent energy management. Its energy consumption is approximately 25% lower than that of comparable facilities.

The building is a large-scale technical and architectural project, covering around 220,000 m² with more than 2 million cubic meters of enclosed volume. Its structural system is based on a modular, column-free grid with spans of nearly 29 meters, allowing maximum flexibility for reconfiguring production processes. While the façade is largely closed, natural daylight enters through generous skylights, reducing the need for artificial lighting and improving working conditions.

A key sustainability feature is the use of concrete made entirely from 100% recycled aggregate. Only recycled materials were used as mineral components, which is groundbreaking for an industrial building of this size. This approach significantly reduces the need for virgin raw materials and lowers the carbon footprint of the structural shell.

Approximately 40% of the roof is greened, helping to improve the microclimate and increase thermal insulation. More than 12,000 photovoltaic panels supply renewable electricity for the facility’s own use. Surplus solar energy is stored in stationary batteries made from reused electric vehicle batteries. These batteries deliver electricity exactly when it’s most needed, uch as during peak demand periods when many machines are running simultaneously. This helps balance energy loads, reduce strain on the public grid, and optimize overall energy use.

Digitalization is integrated into all aspects of production. The so-called “TecLine” uses autonomous transport systems connected via a private 5G campus network. Operations are managed through the cloud-based MO360 platform. This enables fully paperless manufacturing and allows the production line to be quickly adapted to different vehicle types - from combustion engines to hybrids and full electric models, within just a few days.

With its comprehensive approach to energy efficiency, circular resource use, and digital flexibility, Factory 56 is not only a production site but also a forward-looking model for the future of industrial architecture.