In June 2019, the UK became the first major country to legislate for a Net zero target for carbon emissions by 2050.​
Most Porvair products contribute to a cleaner world by reducing emissions, improving process efficiencies or identifying pollutants.

Moving towards net zero is consistent with the Group’s fundamental aim to develop specialist filtration and environmental technology business for the benefit of all stakeholders

Climate related and Net zero planning framework

Net zero is consistent with the Group’s fundamental aim to develop specialist filtration, laboratory and environmental technology businesses for the benefit of all stakeholders.

Our strategic thinking is based on the following planning assumptions for 2020 – 2040:

  •  Aircraft will run more efficiently, on a combination of greener fuel and electricity.
  • Auto and light truck transport will move towards battery or hydrogen power.
  • Oil derivatives will still be used for the production of chemicals or critical materials. Carbon Capture and Storage technologies will develop to better balance the carbon release from fossil fuels.
  • Electricity generation will move to solar, wind and nuclear power.
  • Industrial plants will seek to eliminate the direct use of fossil fuels
  • Emissions standards across industry will tighten.
  • ‘Dematerialisation’ trends will lead to the growth of internet based commerce and communication.

Porvair’s expertise has an important role to play in addressing key environmental challenges.

Porvair’s expertise has an important role to play in addressing key environmental challenges

Clean water analysis

The market for clean water and environmental testing is growing throughout the world as more of the world’s population seeks access to clean water and environmental regulations tighten. The Group’s water analysis equipment ensures drinking water is fit for consumption and waste water is not contaminated.

Light-weight sustainable metals

As the world strives for a more fuel efficient and recyclable future, aluminium is a big part of the solution. Light-weight, strong and highly recyclable, value-added aluminium products can lower energy costs and reduce plastic consumption in dozens of applications. Porvair’s CSX™ filters deliver a better environmental profile and improved filtration compared with the competition with lower risk of inclusions passing into the metal.

Reducing marine pollution

Porvair’s advanced filters for shipping prevent organic material from re-entering the ocean when ballast water is pumped out. These systems are required on all large ships to meet International Maritime Organisation (IMO) ballast water regulations.

Filtration solutions for energy & industrial processes

The Group provides filtration solutions for energy and industrial process applications. Our filters are to be found in many of the harshest industrial environments. Applications include high temperature gas filtration and the containment of waste nuclear material.

Actions and investment priorities

Reduction in the direct use of fossil fuels

Direct use of fossil fuels
Porvair uses furnaces in its operations in the manufacture of ceramics, sintered metal and glass products. Most metal sintering is carried out either in electric vacuum furnaces or hydrogen furnaces, however natural gas is used for glass production and ceramic filter production. Gas furnaces could be replaced with large electric furnaces for ceramic firing but the cost and quality implications of such a switch are not fully understood for the time being. Currently there is no viable alternative to the open flame burners required for the glass furnaces.

Various Porvair plants use gas boilers for heating. Other available technologies will be considered as capital investments are assessed

Raw materials made from fossil fuels

Porvair has two main categories of raw material made from fossil fuels:

  • Precursor foam and organic binders used in the manufacture of ceramic filters for molten metal. The Group seeks to develop filters that use different precursors and has switched several customers to alternatives.
  • Technical plastics used in labware products. The Group is investing in labware re-use systems and glassware alternatives. Where plastics are selected for their technical characteristics (such as cleanliness or chemical inertness), investments are directed to reduce manufacturing scrap and energy use.

Continuous energy reduction strategies

Porvair seeks to make steady improvements to its manufacturing efficiency. Often this will be accompanied by the use of newer and more fuel-efficient equipment. The Group has:

  • Installed LED lighting throughout its plants;
  • Acquired servo assisted presses rather than hydraulic presses,
  • Made increasing use of recycling rather than landfill disposal.

In the future, the Group will:

  • Use technological advances to install more energy efficient equipment as old machines are retired.
  • Replace car and van fleets with electric vehicles as they become more economical.

Sustainable electricity supplies

The Group uses a biomass electricity supplier to provide the electricity to its UK plants. It expects in time to be able to source sustainable electricity for all of its plants, including the possibility of limited solar and wind generation at its own facilities.

"Most Porvair products contribute to a cleaner world by reducing emissions, improving process efficiencies or identifying pollutants"