With sustainability becoming increasingly important worldwide, the European Union (EU) has introduced the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The new legislation aims to make businesses more transparent and accountable by requiring them to disclose more information about their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices.
For European manufacturers, this means they’ll have to report on their environmental impact and show their social responsiblility.
In this article, we’ll explore how these new reporting standards will affect European manufacturers and why implementing pigging technology can unlock a wide range of benefits that directly contribute to meeting the stringent CSRD standards.
What is the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive?
CRSD is a development of the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) that supports the European Green Deal.
In a nutshell, the CSRD is a set of rules that requires businesses to become more transparent about how they are impacting the environment and society. CRSD also requires businesses to report on how they are impacted by climate change and their scope 3 emissions.
The reporting requirements are outlined in the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and will be mandatory for EU-based companies and non-European companies that operate within the EU.
CSRD mandates that companies must report on specific policies, sustainability targets and progress, value chain and supply chain due diligence, and the risks associated with various sustainability issues. Greenhouse gas emissions figures must be published and made available digitally.
Increasing transparency around ESG practices within the business enables investors, customers, and the public to make informed decisions about which businesses they support.
What Will Be the Global Impact of CSRD?
Whilst the initial impact of CSRD will be limited to European Union members, it is expected that by 2029 reporting will be required for certain companies outside of the EU.
Non-EU parent companies who operate within the EU will be required to submit data that adheres to dedicated non-EU reporting standards. These standards have yet to be released to the public, but data reporting should begin in 2029 based on 2028 data.
How Will Pigging Technology Help Companies Prepare for EU Reporting Requirements?
Pigging technology will help companies prepare for EU reporting requirements by improving product recovery efficiency and reducing waste.
HPS Advanced Liquid Product Recovery (Pigging) Technology helps companies recover more product from pipelines, minimising product losses during transfers and ensuring compliance with regulations regarding waste reduction and environmental sustainability.
By implementing pigging technology, companies enhance their operational efficiency, reduce costs, and demonstrate their commitment to meeting EU reporting requirements related to environmental protection and resource conservation.
The Environmental Benefits of HPS Pigging Systems
HPS pigging systems offer a wide range of environmental benefits that contribute to sustainability efforts across various industries.
Reduced Waste
One of the primary environmental advantages of pigging is the significant reduction in product waste. HPS pigging technology can recover up to 99.5% of residual product from full pipelines. This product would have otherwise been sent to waste or made into effluent.
Pigging residual product to its intended destination conserves valuable resources and decreases the volume of waste sent to landfills or treatment plants. This reduces water and air pollution as well as transport related carbon emissions. Additionally, manufacturers save money on waste treatment and make money from their increased yields.
Reduced Water and Chemical Consumption
Pigging systems also contribute to lower water consumption and chemical usage compared to traditional cleaning and Clean-In-Place (CIP) methods.
In many instances, pigging requires less water for cleaning purposes and eliminates the need for extended water and chemical flushes. Reducing water and chemical consumption improves resource efficiency and decreases reliance on potentially harmful substances.
Reducing water and chemical consumption improves water conservation – which is critical in water scarce areas – and decreases the release of pollutants into the environment, supporting ecosystem health and biodiversity.
Improved Energy Efficiency
Another benefit of pigging systems is increased energy efficiency.
Automated pigging technology streamlines production processes and reduces the need for frequent equipment cleaning and downtime. By optimising product transfer operations, HPS pigging technology minimises energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with manufacturing activities.
This aligns with global efforts to mitigate climate change and reduce carbon emissions, making pigging systems a valuable tool for companies committed to environmental stewardship.
Reduced Carbon Emissions
The key environmental benefit of pigging is the reduced carbon emissions.
A report issued by Carbon-Zero, a UK-based sustainability and energy consultant, found that paint manufacturers can reduce carbon emissions by up to 99.3% (over 2 tonnes) per changeover when using HPS automated pigging systems.
The results can be applied across different industries, meaning that carbon savings through pigging has a daily impact on world health.
Get Started Now
Regardless of your business location and the timeline for CSRD report submissions, the sooner you start making changes the better.
From investing in sustainable technologies to logging data, getting the foundations laid now will aid you when it comes to reporting.
When partnering with HPS to implement hygienic and sanitary pipeline product recovery technology, we make it as easy as possible. Our experienced team will work with you to design and implement a custom solution that will increase your yields, improve your operations, and reduce your environmental impact.
Start your pigging journey by getting in touch today.
About HPS Product Recovery Solutions
HPS Product Recovery Solutions has over 29 years of experience designing, implementing, and commissioning bespoke pigging and liquid transfer solutions for manufacturers of liquid products.
From food and drink to paints and lubricants, we’ve worked with companies globally to help them improve their business operations.
Get ahead of the game with HPS.
Useful Resources
IBM – What is the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)?
PwC – Worldwide Impact of CSRD
Workiva – Intro to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive