Grundfos meets Asia-Pacific water challenges

Grundfos is a pump manufacturer with an annual production of 16 million pump units and a geographical footprint in 55 countries. Tan Chee Meng and Eric Lai oversee the company’s municipality and industry business segments in the Asia-Pacific - a region with a high dependence on water.

Lai noted that the Asia-Pacific’s fast-growing economies are mainly driven by industries such as manufacturing and agriculture, whose operations depend heavily on water. But “access to clean water has always been a challenge”, he noted, “especially for remote areas within the region”.

Meng added that “flood control has become a key priority for many cities due to rising sea levels as a result of global warming, as well as ponding from rapid urban development ... Just as disruptive are the spells of drought, where water now has to be conserved and recycled.”

According to Meng, “Moving water efficiently becomes a precursor to the productivity of the city, and pumps play a critical role whether there’s too much or too little water.” Grundfos’s technology is focused on reducing industries’ water and carbon footprint, with comprehensive pump solutions for water utilities and industrial and building applications.

“Our technologies cater to different needs and user specifications, including the stringent standards required by cleanrooms, pharmaceutical and food and beverage industries,” said Lai.

The company has also achieved its own sustainability targets in its Asia-Pacific factories. Lai said, “We’ve been successfully lowering our carbon emission and water consumption rates year on year since 2008, alongside business growth. We also benchmark ourselves internally and share best practices amongst our facilities.

“Separately, we give back to communities through programs like Grundfos Water2Life, where our products and expertise have provided sustainable access to clean water for thousands of people in developing countries. It’s a staff-led effort where everyone can get involved through volunteerism or cash donations, which Grundfos matches dollar for dollar.”

On top of this, added Meng, “we’re also working with municipal authorities to offer long-term water utility solutions that optimise critical installations, improve the management of water and wastewater treatment, and enhance water security”.

“The Grundfos Water Utility Centre [in Copenhagen] possesses highly qualified industry experts specialising in areas such as flood control, water supply, wastewater treatment, wastewater transportation and irrigation,” said Meng.

“We also work with engineering companies and reputable partners like the Danish Hydraulics Institute to address water management issues from a total solutions point of view. With a combined understanding of the civil structures and the mechanical aspects involved, we’re able to speed up the installation process while delivering dependable, system-based outcomes that meet exacting specifications.”

Both men are optimistic about the Asia-Pacific’s changing attitude to water management. Meng notes that “Asian governments are now giving greater attention to water management and treatment infrastructures”, while Lai believes that in future, “governments and leading industry bodies will be more determined to put an end to indiscriminate waste emissions or water pollution by setting up registries and tightening environmental regulations”.

Grundfos is exhibiting at Water Expo, part of Singapore International Water Week, from 1-5 June.