There are lots of ways that manufacturers can reduce their carbon footprints to help them achieve Net Zero targets, in fact they may already be benefitting from some without realising it! Using an effective oil mist filter is just one example of this.
Under COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Regulations 2002, all employers that use CNC machines are required to ensure they are effectively controlling exposure to airborne mist particles which are generated when pressurised coolant or emulsion are used in machining processes.
Filtermist’s UK manufactured centrifugal oil mist filters extract contaminated air at source, filter it and then return clean air back into machine shops. This reduces particulate matter inside the working environment and means less contaminated air is being exhausted to atmosphere. This is the more obvious benefit of using a local exhaust ventilation (LEV) system, but perhaps less obvious is the energy and subsequent cost savings that can also be made in relation to heating or cooling the building.
Exhausting warm air from the machine tool enclosure directly back into the machine shop means employers can lower their heating bills in colder months. Manufacturers that use centralised extraction systems with multiple pick-up points, or those that duct Filtermist units outside, benefit similarly but the other way round – warm air is exhausted to atmosphere meaning less energy is required to keep the premises at an ambient temperature using air conditioning. This is particularly beneficial in warmer climates.
Filtermist also supplies products manufactured by sister company Absolent AB. Absolent has been at the forefront of developing more sustainable extraction solutions, including the use of heat exchangers and its Ecodrive inverter system which can reduce electricity consumption by up to 40%. Both Filtermist & Absolent products can also help companies collect and re-cycle valuable cutting oils – helping to minimise unnecessary wastage.
Filtermist International Limited is constantly evaluating potential improvements which can also help customers lower their carbon footprints. High efficiency IE3 motors were introduced across the FX range of oil mist filters back in 2014, and the company is currently reviewing its packaging with the intention of eliminating unnecessary plastics wherever possible.
Filtermist CEO James Stansfield comments, “Like many businesses, Filtermist and its parent company Absolent Air Care Group, are currently working towards being carbon net zero by 2030 with the intention of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. We recognise how important this is for all of our customers so any changes we make which can help our customers to meet their targets can only be beneficial to all of us.”
Call 01952 290500 to speak to a member of our team or visit Stand 430 in Hall 6 at MACH in April to find out more about products and services from Filtermist.