Recycled Stainless Steel for Heat Exchangers

The cooperation between Alfa Laval and Acerinox focuses on incorporating low-emission stainless steel into gasketed plate heat exchangers used in industries such as food processing, energy, data centers, and commercial buildings. The initiative aims to reduce supply chain emissions while maintaining the technical performance of heat transfer equipment.

Reducing the Environmental Impact of Industrial Equipment
Gasketed plate heat exchangers play a critical role in heating, cooling, evaporation, condensation, and heat recovery processes across a wide range of industries. Because these systems contain substantial amounts of stainless steel, material selection has a direct influence on the carbon footprint associated with equipment manufacturing.

Under the cooperation, Acerinox supplies its low-emission EcoACX^® stainless steel, while Alfa Laval integrates the material into the production of a significant share of the channel plates used in its gasketed plate heat exchangers. The partnership combines Acerinox's expertise in stainless steel production with Alfa Laval's experience in heat transfer technologies.

Technical Solution and Partner Responsibilities
EcoACX stainless steel is manufactured using approximately 90% recycled material and offers a carbon footprint about 50% lower than conventional stainless steel, according to Acerinox. The material retains the mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, durability, and technical characteristics required for demanding industrial applications.

Acerinox is responsible for manufacturing and supplying the low-emission stainless steel, while Alfa Laval integrates the material into its production process without altering the design, thermal performance, or compatibility of its gasketed plate heat exchangers.

Implementation Across Industrial Applications
The material is incorporated into Alfa Laval's existing manufacturing processes, enabling its use in equipment supplied to multiple industrial sectors without requiring modifications to customers' existing infrastructure.

Heat exchangers manufactured with the new material continue to provide the same thermal transfer functions, making them suitable for both new installations and retrofit or expansion projects where compatibility with existing systems is essential.

Industrial Applications
The solution targets industries that rely on efficient heat transfer systems, including food processing, energy production, data centers, and commercial and industrial buildings.

Using lower-carbon stainless steel reduces the embodied carbon associated with equipment manufacturing, while the high thermal efficiency of gasketed plate heat exchangers supports lower energy consumption during operation. Together, these factors contribute to reducing the overall environmental impact of industrial processes.

Results and Expected Impact
The primary measurable improvement relates to the material itself, which provides approximately a 50% lower carbon footprint than conventional stainless steel while containing around 90% recycled content. Integrating this material enables Alfa Laval to reduce upstream supply chain emissions associated with its heat exchangers without compromising durability, reliability, or thermal performance, supporting the development of more sustainable industrial infrastructure.

Edited by Evgeny Churilov, Induportals Media - Adapted by AI.

www.alfalaval.com