Alfa Laval has set a new industry benchmark in manufacturing with a pioneering initiative at its gasketed plate heat exchanger factory in Jiangyin, China. As part of its ambition to reduce the carbon footprint of its heat exchangers and increase circularity, the company has successfully produced titanium plates containing 25% recycled content. This breakthrough marks an important step in Alfa Laval’s strategy to improve resource efficiency and support the decarbonization of energy-intensive industries.
Image Credit: Alfa Laval
Titanium is valued for its corrosion resistance but maintaining its formability while increasing recycled content presents a significant challenge. By collecting and recycling its manufacturing waste and remelting it at titanium suppliers, Alfa Laval managed to increase the recycled content from 10% to 25%. The project team worked closely with a major titanium supplier to ensure that every plate met the high-quality expectations with an exceptional result. This collaborative effort demonstrates the technical feasibility of producing high-quality titanium plates with increased recycled content and points to a new direction for reducing emissions at the raw material source.
“Through close collaboration and relentless innovation, we have demonstrated that high-quality recycled titanium can meet the rigorous demands of our industry. This achievement is a testament to our commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of our products and leading the way toward a more sustainable future.” – Carina Resare, Head of R&D, Business Unit Gasketed Plate Heat Exchangers, Alfa Laval.
The current production represents a small-scale batch, and gasketed plate heat exchangers using these titanium plates will be delivered to customers in China. Scaling up the initiative will require a broader systemic shift across the supply chain, supported by continued collaboration with industrial partners.
“This project is more than a technical achievement – it is a strategic commitment to leading our industry toward a lower-carbon emissions future. By validating recycled titanium in real-world production, we are inspiring our partners and customers to join us in accelerating the transition to more sustainable value chains.” – Madeleine Gilborne, President, Business Unit Gasketed Plate Heat Exchangers, Alfa Laval.