Pumps and the Circular Economy

Personnel from Europump, the European association of pump manufacturers, were joined by several other influential speakers ahead of its Annual Meetings in Brussels, to deliver a seminar highlighting the value and importance of the circular economy to the pump sector.

A circular economy is by nature restorative and regenerative and aims to preserve the value and intrinsic quality of products, components, and materials at each stage of their use, encouraging the manufacturer to consider the product lifecycle and how any environmental impact associated with his production and use can be negated.

The pump sector has for many years been at the forefront of industry’s drive for energy efficiency gains, whilst leading the way on all manner of sustainability initiatives and developments. It is against this backdrop that Europump pulled together a series of presentations on the afternoon of Monday 9th May, highlighting the environmental and commercial benefits to be enjoyed through the adoption of good circular economy practices, and how they can only serve to enhance the sector’s already strong credentials in this area. The seminar also provided an update on the work being conducted by Europump in relation to EU Policy and the wider general approach by industry to the circularity of products, plant & equipment.

Orgalim, the organisation representing Europe’s technology industries at EU level, played host to the event, which was held in its Brussels’ Bluepoint building. Speakers included Stephanie Mittleham from Orgalim, Caroline Stern from Hilti Group, Claus Handel from EVIA (for the ventilation and fan sector), Didier Gufflet from CEMEP (for the electrical machines and power electronics sector), along with numerous speakers from within the Europump membership.

Jim Wall, Sulzer Pump Solutions Ireland, and Chair of the Europump Circular Economy Working Group, commented after the event: “Europump and its members have been heavily engaged in evaluating the EU’s requirements under its circular economy commitments for over two years and we aim to have a definitive position paper available by October of this year. This comprehensive series of presentations, covering a range of perspectives and disciplines, emphasised the significance and importance of what the circular economy means to manufacturers and users of pumps (and their related systems), including any potential trade-offs.”

He added: “I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to all the speakers, whose knowledge and insight made for an extremely interesting and thought-provoking afternoon for all those in attendance.

Further information on the work carried out by Europump can be found through the website - https://europump.net/ - or for any specific enquiries, please email the Europump secretariat - secretariat@europump.org