- Grundfos
- Sustainability
- Reducing our footprint
- Product sustainability
Product sustainability
Grundfos has developed its own methodology which combines life-cycle thinking, eco-design principles and guidelines with our product development and innovation processes.
Throughout the history Grundfos has worked with product sustainability
The most systematic approach can be connected to driving energy efficiency forward. Based on an early Life Cycle Analysis in the 1990s (EDIP – Environmental Design of Industrial Products) together with amongst others the Danish Ministry for Environment and Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Grundfos determined that the use phase accounted for a the highest part of environmental impacts throughout the life cycle of a product – in this specific case the JetpaQ. This realization, and a dedication by Niels Due Jensen, lead to a strong focus on energy efficiency throughout the next 20 years to come.
Life-cycle thinking
The time has come for Grundfos to broaden the focus since an increasing number of internal and external drivers point at the need to optimize the product performance, by considering the whole life-cycle. This demands systematically working with material selection, production, packaging, distribution, use and lifetime, and end-of-life.
In order to foster a systematic approach towards holistic life cycle thinking, Grundfos has developed its own methodology (toolbox) which combines life-cycle thinking, eco-design principles and guidelines with our product development and innovation processes. The toolbox is currently in its implementation phase and aims at making sure that all products are developed based on a life cycle approach.
As part of a desired holistic Life Cycle Management Approach it is of highest interest to Grundfos to design our products in a way for them to be re-cycled with maximum resource extraction and reuse whilst ensuring high quality and functionality. Furthermore the ambition is to also investigate how to increase the use of secondary materials in future products, where possible.
With a continuous effort to improve our products we want to work closely with end-of-life handling facilities to ensure that future products will be designed for maximum resource-recirculation. As a premise we are working systematically to ensure that our products can be recycled to the largest part possible.
Whilst some products have a very high recyclability rate already others leave room for improvement. It is hereby very important to consider the market that a product is sold into since resource extraction depends on the local availability of treatment facilities.
Product Chemical Compliance Declaration
- regarding REACH Regulation (EC) 1907/2006, article 33
At Grundfos, we run our business in a responsible and ever more sustainable way. We are committed to creating products and solutions that help our customers and the surrounding world conserve natural resources and reduce climate impacts. This is part of The Grundfos Values, as well as in accordance with the Grundfos 2020 Strategy, which sets sustainability as a continued business driver.
Grundfos products manufactured and placed on the market within the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) comply with the REACH Regulation in regards of
REACH Regulation, (EC) 1907/2006
- Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC)
- Restriction List, Annex 17
- Authorization List, Annex 14
Grundfos strives to immediately substitute all Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) that are found in our raw materials, components and products in a concentration above 0.1% (w/w).
Identification of REACH SVHC´s
Based on our investigations and information from our suppliers regarding REACH article 33, we have identified the below listed SVHC´s in concentrations above 0,1% in the following Grundfos products/articles.
Grundfos REACH SVHC - English: Download (pdf)
Supplier obligations
All suppliers of the raw materials and components to Grundfos Holding A/S and its subsidiaries are under contractual obligation to comply with the European chemical legislation hereunder the REACH Regulation.
To ensure that Grundfos is compliant we have taken the following initiatives:
- Grundfos has launched the Grundfos Focus List in order to give our suppliers, contractors and other relevant stakeholder world wide a tool to help comply with chemical legislation. Grundfos has prepared the Grundfos Focus List, which bans or restricts the use of certain chemical substances in Grundfos products, Grundfos production processes and at Grundfos facilities
- Grundfos continuously performs audits of their suppliers to ensure compliance with their contractual obligation to comply with the chemical legislation.
- Grundfos does not accept banned or restricted hazardous substances in their products. It is a standard task in product development projects to ensure that banned or restricted hazardous substances are not used.
Product chemical compliance
As part of a high focus on product compliance we have devised the Grundfos Focus List, which bans or restricts the use of certain chemical substances in Grundfos products, production processes and at Grundfos facilities. The list has been developed on grounds of European legislation such as REACH regulation, RoHS, Battery, Packaging, ODS and POPs directives.
We don't let waste go to waste
Grundfos is already making a positive environmental impact by turning waste into resources.
Circular Economy aims to eliminate waste by finding ways to reduce, reuse, repair, remanufacture and recycle as much as possible while lowering our dependency on finite resources.
Successful examples where we recovered valuable resources include our take back program where we take back end of life pumps from our customers and ensure optimal recycling of the materials.
ErP compliance and beyond
Information in compliance with the ErP Directive concerning end-of-life of our products can be found on this website – on product specific pages – and in the technical documentation of each product.
Grundfos provides information on end-of-life for all our products to have a uniform information system on how our products can be handled once they have reached the end of their usability.
Materials we use
Most of the materials used for Grundfos products are different kinds of metals, polymers, rubber, and ceramics.
Disassembly of Grundfos products
The disassembly of Grundfos products can largely be done by means of hand tools.
Chemicals
As part of a high focus on product compliance we have devised the Grundfos Focus List, which bans or restricts the use of certain chemical substances in Grundfos products, production processes and at Grundfos facilities. The list has been developed on grounds of European legislation such as REACH regulation, RoHS, Battery, Packaging, ODS and POPs directives.
Application consideration
Whilst the materials and substances we use and source need to be in compliance with above mentioned legislation, the application of the product has a great influence on if the product needs to be handled with special care at the end of its life time (if e.g. the product has been used in chemical industry)
End-of-life information for specific products
Please download the specific product documentation below to gain access to precise end-of-life information on product families.