Pioneering Sustainability: Circular Economy Integration in Mechanical Engineering
Robert Shandro
Principal Consultant & Technical Manager
Cetim-Matcor
How does Cetim-Matcor integrate circular economy principles into its services to help companies achieve sustainability goals?
We believe that the mechanical engineering industry is pivotal in driving the energy transition, viewing environmental and social challenges as opportunities for innovation. his necessitates changes to reduce carbon emissions, design for sustainability and evolve the business models of companies for competitive differentiation and where our CEDRE strategic investment programme - for Circularity of the Economy, Decarbonisation, Resilience - has a crucial role. Our decarbonization efforts will fortify companies' sites, enhancing resilience through technologies for resource optimisation (energy, raw materials, water), fostering sobriety, efficiency and circularity.
By investing in solutions, we are supporting the global environmental transition within the industry. Hydrogen is recognised as a pivotal element for achieving a more sustainable future. Acknowledging its potential, we’ve invested HyMEET platform to optimise components and systems to meet environmental standards from production to distribution.
We anticipate future needs, aligning with evolving standards and expectations (regulatory, contractual, economic, societal). Specialising in circular economy, decarbonisation and resilience, our expert team provides technical support on standardisation development and explore pathways for sustainable growth. Through CEDRE, HyMEET and Cetim Academy training, we assist in staying abreast of emerging technologies.
By leveraging insights from professionals, we develop Life Cycle Analysis tools and database for products and processes. Our efforts quantify environmental impacts and identify optimisation opportunities at every stage, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions.
In Singapore, our subsidiary extends our global expertise to Asia-Pacific in extending the lifecycle of industrial products, systems, and assets, from failure analysis to asset integrity management. Through collaboration, technological innovation and knowledge sharing, we empower companies to embrace sustainable practices and contribute to a more resilient future.
What innovative approaches or technologies does Cetim-Matcor utilise to promote resource efficiency, waste reduction, and product lifecycle extension?
By facilitating the development of solutions and methodologies in areas like carbon capture, utilisation, and storage, recycling, sustainable materials and processes, our focus extends beyond just assessment to extending product lifespan through eco-design, repair, retrofit, enhanced control and traceability measures. Through a combination of process optimisation, technological advancements and material characterisation, we aid clients in achieving resource savings while simultaneously enhancing quality and performance.
For instance, Cetim employs an in-house software solution named EcoDesign Studio, powered by a proprietary methodology, to assess the carbon footprint of products and processes in eco-design efforts. Plans are underway to incorporate this methodology into ISO standards soon. In Metal Additive Manufacturing, we enable design optimisation for increasing material efficiency and durability and minimising waste generation.
With an extensive grasp of reliability challenges in heavy industry equipment, we offer comprehensive services in condition and life assessment and optimise the performance and longevity of their critical assets.
Could you provide examples of how Cetim Matcor has assisted companies in eco-designing their products/services using additive manufacturing technologies?
Expanding beyond the mere implementation, we prioritise raising environmental awareness and understanding and minimising our ecological footprint across the AM value chain. As we chart our course into the future, we aim to broaden our technology evaluation criteria beyond traditional metrics. Our focus will also encompass impact factors like LCA, guiding our journey toward a sustainable and enduring environmental impact.
