1.5 degrees is the UN’s goal to stop climate change. But the goal is increasingly receding into the distance. The new Ecodesign Regulation is now also intended to ensure that the goal is achieved.
It describes that products should be more durable, easier to repair and easier to recycle. Similar to the Battery Ordinance , regulatory measures are being taken to steer the industry in the right direction. For many companies, this means pressure to adapt. What does this mean in concrete terms for B&W Engineering? Is it an opportunity to combine innovation and sustainability? In short. Yes! We have been working for some time to take measures that support the conservation of resources. The trend towards a better approach to the environment has long been evident in all areas of the economy and society. The trend towards a more conscious use of resources in medicine is currently being pursued more closely. There are still processes and tools that are not used in a resource-saving way. In some cases, devices worth €100-200 are simply thrown away after the operation. A kind of one-way ticket – from the operating room directly into the trash can. So far, this has not been an idea of sustainability, but we want to change it.
That’s why we follow the approach of starting to improve the products as early as the product development stage, along the guidelines and beyond. For example, through modular designs that allow devices to be easily dismantled and thus meet the hygienic regulations for equipment cleaning and a reduction in the amount of disposal is created. This approach offers advantages, especially for devices that have previously been completely disposed of, even though there were no defects. Reengineering the devices is often not economically worthwhile alone. The appropriate course must be set here as early as the development stage so that the goal of waste prevention is easier to achieve.
In addition to modularity in product development, we focus on the selection of recyclable or bio-based materials. Already in the design process, we include the aspect of environmental friendliness, resource conservation and energy efficiency. As a result, we achieve a lower CO2 footprint of our products and thus an improved energy balance for our customers. These approaches strengthen the market position of our customers and make it clear that innovative thinking and ecological responsibility should be in harmony. We stand for well-thought-out solutions that extend the service life of products, relieve the burden on the environment and at the same time offer economic advantages. We can design products that meet environmental and technological requirements.
