Alfa Laval has introduced heat exchanger recycling in partnership with a Swedish firm, Stena Recycling.
The ground-breaking business model for sustainable and environmentally efficient recycling of heat exchangers enables up to 100 per cent metal regeneration.
The partnership is a first step towards a circular approach to the company’s product portfolio, and an important part of Alfa Laval’s commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030.
The goal of this new initiative is twofold: Firstly, to encourage replacement of less energy-efficient plate heat exchangers by new modern products.
This will lead to significant energy savings and reduced CO2 emissions in customers’ processes.
Secondly, plate heat exchangers contain large amounts of valuable metals that can be recycled and reused in new Alfa Laval products.
President of the company’s energy division, Susanne Pahlén Åklundh, said this is an important step towards a more circular and sustainable approach when sourcing material, manufacturing and supplying products.
“Starting in the Nordic region, the recycling initiative will include three types of heat exchangers. However, we see great opportunities to expand the scope to other product groups and geographical areas in the future,” she said.
“This initiative is a win-win, to the benefit of our customers as well as to society.”
Stena Recycling Sweden managing director, Fredrik Pettersson, said this collaboration is an example of how working together can create effective circular solutions.
“Simultaneously, as the industry receives help with significant energy efficiencies, we ensure a high recycling rate of older and inefficient plate heat exchangers in Sweden,” he said.
"These materials can be used as circular quality raw materials for new products, including new products that Alfa Laval manufactures.”