Bredel hose pumps reduces environmental impact by switching to waterborne paints

Bredel hose pumps has switched its painting process from solvent-based paints to waterborne paints, resulting in a 90% reduction in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions.

The change to waterborne paint at Bredel’s manufacturing site in Delden, Netherlands from November 2024 is part of WMFTS’ commitment to reducing its overall environmental impact. As part of Spirax Group, WMFTS is implementing the group’s One Planet sustainability strategy, which includes sending zero waste to landfill, as well as reducing water use and waste generation by 2030.

VOCs are organic chemicals that evaporate easily at room temperature and can harm human health and the environment. Solvent-based paints typically contain high levels of VOCs, which contribute to smog formation, ozone depletion, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Waterborne paints, however, contain much lower levels of VOCs and use water as the main carrier instead of organic solvents, making waterborne paints more sustainable and safer to use.

By transitioning its manufacturing process to waterborne paints, Bredel has achieved the following benefits:

• A 90% reduction in VOCs emissions by switching to waterborne paint
• 8,000 m3 reduction in natural gas usage per year, 14.5 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent), due to a new system which recycles 80% of comfort heated air rather than blowing it into the atmosphere
• Increased efficiency from reduced internal transport distances due to an expansion of the conveyor belt and creation of extra loading and unloading points
• Reduced volume of Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) related materials on-site
• Removing a sprinkler system, as the new paintshop is a fully closed compartment and separate to the machining department which means the sprinkler system is not needed.

The benefits of a shift to waterborne paints have been achieved while maintaining ISO12944 standards regarding high durability and quality of Bredel hose pumps, which continue to offer exceptional chemical corrosion resistance while operating in harsh environments.

Camilo Contreras, Sustainability Specialist at Bredel, said: "We are proud of our transition to using waterborne paints, lowering the environmental footprint of our solutions without compromising quality or performance. This achievement highlights our commitment to our One Planet sustainability strategy and to reducing our environmental impact, which benefits our communities, customers and the planet."

Bredel peristaltic pumps and hoses are used for a wide range of applications in the mining, industrial, water and wastewater and food and beverage industries.

Learn more about our sustainability strategy