WCA May/July 2020

Manufacturing Technology

❍ The Bumax facility in Åshammar, Sweden

Bumax halves energy use and streamlines production

energy use by more than 150 MWh. The work on energy efficiency continues in 2020 with the replacement of the facility’s gas heating system with an electric heating system powered by renewable electricity. The switch to renewable electricity is the first phase of a project to replace the entire heating system with a more sus- tainable solution. The various energy- efficiency measures were identified following two assessments in recent years that identified how energy is used at the facility in Åshammar. Bumax also participated in the Energig project together with the University of Gävle and Linköping University, which helped companies to become more energy efficient. Following its success in promoting energy efficiency, Bumax has been highlighted as a good example by the Swedish Energy Agency. Bumax AB www.bumax-fasteners.com

also provide a more equal indoor temperature at the facility and a better working environment. Other measures taken include better controls for the boiler heating system, optimisation of the ventilation system, reducing the temperature in the warehouse from 15°C to 10°C, and installation of a heat recovery ventilation unit that optimises heating in the offices and canteen. Bumax sources 100 per cent of its electricity from renewable hydroelectric power plants. In 2019, the company used approximately 1,249 MWh of renewable electricity. At the same time, electricity use has been reduced by around 55 per cent, following investments in low-energy lights and lighting motion sensors. In addition, the facility’s wastewater treatment plant has been closed, as it was not economical for the small amounts of wastewater the company produces; this move reduced annual

Bumax, a Swedish manufacturer of high-strength stainless steel fasteners, has reduced the energy it uses for heating and electricity at its Åshammar facility by over 50 per cent since 2011, to significantly lower its carbon emissions and further streamline the production of products. “This is an impressive feat for a manufacturing company operating in a large facility in the Nordics,” said Patrik Lundström Törnquist, managing director of Bumax. “We commenced our sustainability programme already in 2011 and have seen fantastic results. By using less energy for heating and electricity, we are not only reducing our carbon footprint; we also realised financial savings that increase our competitiveness.” Key investments to reduce heating demand included upgrading roof insulation, fitting energy-efficient triple-glazed windows and insulated skylights, and installing better-insulated large industrial doors. These measures

Graphics bigstockphoto.com Artist Koloj

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Fasteners ASIA – May/July 2020