IN A bid to reduce carbon emissions, are we sometimes doing more harm than good? The July edition of ACR News highlighted instances where the manufacture, purchase and installation of new raw material is more detrimental to the environment than opting to remanufacture, refurbish or repair.
The whole topic of waste management and recycling is seldom addressed in this industry sector – a discussion Preston Refrigeration feels is long overdue. In the UK alone, thousands of compressors come to the end of their life each year and are disposed of. Preston Refrigeration is continually developing initiatives to improve the way remanufacturing is carried out, ensuring that its processes are both cost-effective to its customers and help to minimise the environmental waste associated with refrigeration equipment.



No compromise on quality

Essentially, remanufacturing brings the compressor back to the manufacturer’s standards. Preston’s methods mean that as much as 80% of the original body and components are utilised, reducing the need for new raw material. The process involves the original castings being re-bored or re-sleeved, the crankshaft will be machined to manufacturer’s tolerances, and the valve plates are also machined to gain a flat surface with a good seat. The existing electrical stator is also rewound. All other components are then replaced with new, the discarded items are recycled through the proper channels. These items are then used by other industries.

It is important to emphasise that remanufacture does not, in any way, compromise the quality of the product. Quality checks are carried out at numerous stages throughout the workshop procedure, all of which are supervised throughout. All dimensions are in-line with manufacturer’s tolerances and to quality standard ISO 9001: 2000.



Cut transportation

Another environmental concern is the issue of where products are manufactured. While some businesses look to curb expenditure by finding low-cost manufacturing bases, this does raise environmental concerns if these are some distance from eventual customers. Transportation over large distances results in increased waste and pollution. Preston Refrigeration remanufactures in several countries, with further expansion planned, to negate the need for extensive transportation. As a result, not only is the price of a compressor, designed for refrigeration and ac, significantly reduced, but emissions and the overall carbon foot-print is minimised by reducing the need to use raw materials.

The industry must be mindful, however, that it is likely to take larger end-user companies some while to change and adopt the remanufacture process, realise its benefits, and alter the way they currently view energy savings.

That said, environmental issues are now taking centre stage globally, so it should be a priority for organisations to reduce the need for purchasing new items when there are alternatives that will cut carbon emissions.



The bigger picture

Companies need to have a broader focus when taking into account total energy costs. On the face of it, it may appear cheaper for a business to replace a compressor, but factors to consider include the mining and refining of new materials, workforce labour, the energy used in the robotics at the compressor factory, and the costs involved in transport, sometimes over long distances.

Preston Refrigeration is currently in discussion with The Centre for Remanufacturing and Reuse, an organisation funded by DEFRA, on how it can further improve its efforts to tackle climate change through remanufacturing.

Financially, remanufacture can save service companies and end users a substantial percentage of their budgets and will inevitably increase as the industry embraces rising material costs and environmental concerns. This coupled with legislation will be the driving force for responsible and best practice within the industry.

Preston Refrigeration 01675 470899