Waking up to energy consciousness (September 2022)
Waking up to energy consciousness (September 2022)
by Adrian Lunney
The benefits of hindsight are easily acquired. The skills of foresight – much less so. When WITTMANN acquired BATTENFELD in the spring of 2008 – over 14 years ago – it soon became clear that ergonomic design, user friendliness and energy efficiency were going to be key features in the redesign and evolution of that company’s injection molding machines.
And so it proved – right down to the naming of the range of new machines – EcoPower and SmartPower molding machines in particular – combining two virtues in one. Because after all and when you think about it, what could be more user-friendly than saving your customer’s money, minute after minute, day after day?
With hindsight WITTMANN’s commitment to the energy efficiency of its customers and therefore to the design and performance of the company’s injection molding machines could have been expected 100%. For decades previously WITTMANN had been crystal clear on the energy-saving factor in the design and performance of its ancillary equipment. Indeed, WITTMANN was in the foreground – for example in material drying technology – in calling for the equipment industry to visibly display the operational energy performance of all machines for all to see.
For WITTMANN, energy cost was not something to stumble over at the time of the utility bill. Energy cost was something to be factored into the equation of the lifetime and depreciation of the machine and – in more sophisticated production environments – into the cost – and carbon footprint – of every molding produced.
With hindsight we can see that the plastics industry was in a different place fourteen years ago; perhaps a little vague as to the exact value of energy efficiency within a host of other evolving topics, environmental and technical. Utility cost moved at a slower pace. Competitiveness and cost saving was still possible between utility companies with many consultants to help customers switch to better deals.
In addition, energy hesitancy was led by those responsible for the purchasing of equipment and technology – namely the industry’s customers. Most plastics processors were adopting a ‘wait and see’ mentality. When it came to buying a machine, energy efficiency was probably ranked number four, five or lower on the purchasing manager’s criteria list – somewhere behind price, performance, machine design and other factors.
Things are surely different now – though it gives no one any pleasure to say so. As ever, WITTMANN is well ahead of the curve. The company’s recent energy efficiency challenge doubles down on what has been true for some time – simply that WITTMANN makes the most energy efficient on the market. And if any customer can show otherwise, WITTMANN has committed to take back its machine at no cost.
Needless to say, WITTMANN’s many innovations in low-energy equipment will all be available for all to see at the upcoming K 2022 exhibition in Düsseldorf, October 19–26.
Meantime, the WITTMANN Energy Efficiency is valid until March 31, 2023.
Details are here.