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Resource efficiency
With the EU’s Circular Economy Package and the Austrian Resource Efficiency Action Plan companies are facing new challenges and opportunities for new business ideas.
Our approach for optimization of resource consumption (materials, water, packaging, chemicals) is the application of system analysis, working from “Rough to detailed”. This method contributes significantly to a better understanding of the relevant factors influencing the consumption of resources and provides relevant information with regard to the interactions between processes and equipment, root cause inefficiencies as well as for the identification of optimization potentials.
Initially the field of attention is expanded and step by step focused. This avoids starting with detailed elaboration too soon before the problem area has been fully analysed.
We systematically identify potentials for reducing resource consumption without restricting plant performance or product quality. In doing so, we proceed according to the onion- skin model: The focus is on optimizing the plant operation and control, followed by technical improvements of the plants, followed by measures for recycling and optimizing the supply of resources. To achieve this, we apply established methods of system analysis, create material and energy balances, apply tools from the Six Sigma Toolbox as needed, and make targeted measurements. The overall optimization of resource consumption is supported by the statistical analysis of data.
Our service
- Evaluation of resource and energy consumption of existing processes
- Creation of material and energy balances and presentation in the form of Sankey diagrams
- Life Cycle Analysis, Carbon Footprint, Water Footprint
- Measurement of water and energy flows
- Waste analysis and allocation of waste costs
- Walkthroughs resulting in suggestions which can be implemented right away
- Key performance indicators and benchmarking of resource efficiency (for raw materials, water, chemicals, energy, waste)
- Optimization of processes, procedures and processes and development of measures to increase resource efficiency
- Accompanying the implementation of measures and support in the processing of grant applications
- Processing of innovative issues (zero waste, recycling) within the framework of funded research projects
- Innovative measures to increase resource efficiency through TRIZ (Theory of Innovative Problem Solving)
- Ecolabelling for detergents, reusable containers, textiles
Waste management & Waste management concept
Disposal costs represent an important cost component for every company. At the same time, a number of legal framework conditions have to be met: Disposal records, the Packaging Ordinance and the targets of the EU Circular Economy Package. Measures to prevent waste at the source and effective waste separation can result in significant savings and help meet regulatory requirements.
Our approach to waste management optimization is the application of system analysis, working from “Rough to detailed”. This helps to understand the relevant factors influencing the definition of different waste fractions and provides relevant information with regard to inefficiencies and the identification of optimization measures.
The field of view is initially expanded and then focused in steps. This avoids starting with detailed measures too early, before the problem area has been fully structured.
We systematically identify potentials to reduce hazardous and non-hazardous waste and ensure that the company’s legal requirements regarding the “Waste hierarchy” are met in accordance with the waste management law. In our approach, “Waste prevention” has the highest priority. Subsequently, measures for “Reuse”, “Recycling”, for “Energetic recovery ” are elaborated. The final option in the “Waste hierarchy” is the organized”Disposal” of the waste.
The benefit of optimizing waste management is the reduction of waste disposal, purchasing, warehousing, safety and logistics costs.
Our service
- Waste analysis: Recording and evaluation of the current status (plant walkthrough, Identification of waste quantities, and costs)
- Walkthrough with tips for waste prevention, waste separation and recycling
- Identification of potential for optimization and proposals of realistic immediate, medium term and long term measures
- Training: Motivation and information on waste separation in the company
- Preparation of the waste logistics plan
- Preparation of the waste management plan
Energy optimization
The challenge for companies to optimize the energy consumption is to identify the solutions with the strongest impact on energy costs, beyond singular measures to individual processes or process infrastructure, meaningfully prioritizing investments with the best leverage effect.
Our approach to optimizing the energy consumption is to use system analysis, working from “Rough to detailed”. By systematically evaluating energy consumers and functional relationships between the process steps, this method significantly improves the understanding of the relevant factors influencing overall energy consumption and describes the interactions between plants and machines, location and cause of inefficiencies, possible waste heat potential, and the identification of optimization potentials.
The immediate benefit of applying the “Top down” approach is that initially a broad field of view is considered and later then a detailed analysis is done step by step. This avoids that the problem area will be analysed in detail before the problem field has been completely structured.
We systematically identify potentials for reduction of the energy consumption without compromising plant performance or product quality. We apply the onion-skin model: The focus is on optimizing the plant operation and control, followed by technical improvements to the plants, followed by measures for the recovery of waste heat and optimizing the energy procurement. To achieve this, we apply established methods of system analysis, prepare energy balances, apply tools from the Six Sigma Toolbox as needed, and make targeted measurements. The overall optimization of energy consumption is supported by the statistical analysis of data.
Our Service
- Energy audit according to DIN EN 16247-1, 16247-2, 16247-3, 16247-4
- Energy audit according to EEffG (Energy Efficiency law), evaluation of measures
- Implementation of an energy management system according to DIN EN ISO 50001
- Preparation of a carbon footprint and CO2 balances of products or processes
- Process analysis and development of measures that can be implemented immediately, in the medium term and in the long term to implement energy efficiency according to best practises
- Measurements of relevant energy consumers
- Plan for waste heat recovery
- Low Carbon concepts
- Support of the implementation of measures and in the identification of relevant funding including applications
- Building an energy metering system and benchmarking
- Implementation of funded research projects
Process optimization
The challenge for companies to optimize their processes is to increase production capacity, to develop new products, develop technology further and meet the legal requirements to minimize resource consumption as much as possible. This shall minimize raw material costs and waste disposal cost without compromising process safety.
Our approach in process optimization is to reduce the demand for resources is the application of system analysis “From the rough to the detail”. This systematic approach contributes to a better understanding of the system elements and functional relations between the material components. This method significantly improves the understanding of the influencing variables on the individual processes and provides relevant information with regard to the interactions between the process steps, location and cause of inefficiencies and for the identification of optimization.
The immediate benefit of applying the “Top down” approach is that initially the field of view is broader and later then a detailed analysis will be done step by step for priority areas. This avoids that the problem area will be analysed in detail before the problem field has been completely structured.
When designing solutions, general goals and a general solution framework are first defined, the level of detail and degree of specification is gradually deepened. The concepts at higher levels ensure that the interactions are considered at all times.
We systematically identify potentials for reducing the use of resources without compromising plant performance or product quality. To achieve this, we apply established methods of system analysis, prepare material and energy balances, and apply tools from the Six Sigma Toolbox as needed. The overall optimization of the processes is supported by the modelling of units and entire processes as well as targeted measurements, data acquisition and data analysis.
Our service
- Process analysis with system analysis tools
- Modelling of overall and sub processes
- Collection of required data and static data analysis
- Process audit
- Preparation of an action plan for realistic immediate, medium term and long term measures
- Conducting feasibility studies and monitoring the implementation of measures
- Implementation of funded research projects
Integrated management systems
Management systems organize, control and control company activities. Structures are created, objectives and measures are defined, implemented and a performance check is carried out. By the implementation of an environmental and energy management system, companies face the challenge of meeting legal requirements and working continuously to improve environmental performance.
When implementing an environmental or energy management system, we follow the Plan-Do- Check-Act cycle and work with the company to provide the necessary documentation to meet the ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 standard requirements.
PLAN – In the planning phase, a detailed analysis of the current situation is done, the definition of a base-line, the formulation of the environmental or energy policy, the formulation of environmental or energy objectives and finally the preparation of the environmental and energy program.
DO – In the implementation phase, the measures that have been defined in the planning phase are implemented.
CHECK – During the review phase, the achievement of the set goals is checked. The establishment of targeted monitoring and controlling of energy consumption, material use, waste, water consumption on the basis of meaningful key performance indicators is the central element.
ACT – The final phase analyses the effectiveness and efficiency of the entire process. If deviations are detected, corrective actions are taken and the cycle is started again.
The benefits of the introduction and subsequent certification are the systematic identification of savings potential, greater legal compliance, the higher transparency of environmentally relevant processes and costs as well as the increase in employee motivation within the company and an improved public image.
Our Service
- Development of (integrated) management systems according to ISO 14001 and EMAS, ISO 50001
- Gap analysis to determine the need for action
- Environmental assessment
- Energy audit
- Preparation of an action plan
- Preparation of management documentation and management manual
- Preparation of communication concepts
- Establishment of environmental controlling (Logical concept, monitoring, controlling)
- Writing the environmental statement
- In-house training
- Internal audit and auditor training
- Preparation and monitoring of certification and validation
ECOPROFIT
ECOPROFIT (ECOlogic PROject for Integrated Environmental Technology) was developed in 1991 by the Environment Agency of Graz in cooperation with the former STENUM working group at the Graz University of Technology as a low-level environmental management system. It has been implemented in Graz since 1992. By participating in the ECOPROFIT program, companies can continuously work on improving environmental performance in a network of companies and various industries. The step by step reduction of the use of energy, water, materials and chemicals and the reduction of waste as well as the compliance with legal requirements are the focus of the joint workshops.
In the individual consultation, in which concrete optimization measures are in the focus, we follow the principle “Rough to detailed”. This method contributes significantly to a better understanding of the relevant impact factors on the total resource consumption and describes the interactions between the processes and machines, root cause of inefficiencies, possible cost reduction and optimization potentials.
We systematically evaluate potentials for reducing hazardous and non-hazardous waste and ensure that the legal requirements in the company regarding the “waste hierarchy” are complied with in accordance with the Waste Management Act. In our approach, “waste prevention” has the highest priority. Subsequently, measures for “Reuse”, “Recycling”, for “Energetic recovery ” are looked into. Finally for remaining waste, cost-effective “elimination” is identified. Similarly, we proceed in the optimisation of the use of resources.
Together with the participating companies, we draw up an action plan to increase resource efficiency and support the preparation of ÖKOPROFIT award documents.
Our Service
- Conducting workshops
- Individual advice to companies in the area of resource efficiency
- Creation of waste management plans
- Preparation for the ÖKOPROFIT award
- Accompanying the implementation of the measures
- Creation of curricula, training documents and working materials
- +43 (0)316 367156 - 0
- office@stenum.at
-
Anton-Kleinoscheg-Straße 21, 8051 Graz
Austria
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