Building a model for long-term sustainable manufacturing at Regin Group

In the urban area of Hultsfred in Sweden, the majority of the Regin product portfolio is produced. The production site exemplifies how a modern facility can combine high efficiency with sustainability measures in many ways. Despite the intensive production pace of high-quality products, it has been possible to maintain an optimal balance between economic, environmental, and social responsibility.

Continuous energy optimization and monitoring

One of the focus areas at the production site is energy optimization, alongside efficient and quality production. Several innovative solutions have been implemented to reduce energy usage and increase efficiency. Tim Eriksson, one of the production managers, explains some measures that form the basis of the sustainability efforts.

“We prioritize purchasing fossil-free energy from local suppliers to reduce our carbon footprint. Additionally, we continuously strive to streamline our operations. For instance, using a new type of air compressors has reduced our annual energy consumption by approximately 30 percent. By redirecting waste heat from our machines to effectively heat other parts of the facility, we have simultaneously reduced the need for additional energy sources”, Tim explains.

In addition to reducing overall energy usage, new methods have been found to optimize production processes.

“Recently, we introduced a new production technique that allow us to reduce the energy needed to melt the alloy, resulting in a significant reduction in energy usage during soldering processes. We also meticulously measure all energy-intensive processes, which has allowed us to reduce energy peaks by using optimized schedules for our machines”, Tim continues.

Strategic improvements for the future

Looking ahead, additional sustainability initiatives will continue to be implemented at the production site. Among other measures, there is a strong emphasis on ensuring efficient machines. Before replacement, an analysis is conducted to assess expected energy consumption over the machine’s lifespan, which often guides the selection process. Tim also emphasizes that even small adjustments in production can make a significant difference.

“By making small adjustments, we can achieve significant improvements. Refining the timing and process of production, as well as optimizing the strategy of products manufactured concurrently, allows us to optimize resources without compromising product quality," Tim concludes.