Why Sustainability Matters in Metalworking
The metalworking industry faces a dual challenge: rising energy costs and growing environmental requirements. At the same time, sustainable measures offer significant savings potential — sustainability and profitability are not mutually exclusive.
Chip Recycling: The Material Cycle
Metal Chips as Valuable Raw Material
In a typical CNC production facility, several hundred kilograms of metal chips are generated per day. These chips are not waste — they are valuable secondary raw material. Aluminium chips are recycled at nearly 100%, with steel achieving similarly high recycling rates.
Single-Grade Separation
The key to economical recycling is single-grade separation. Different aluminium alloys, steel and stainless steel must be collected separately to achieve full recycling value.
Coolant Management
Professional coolant management extends emulsion service life from a few weeks to 6–12 months. This not only saves disposal costs but also significantly reduces consumption of concentrate and water.
Energy Efficiency in CNC Manufacturing
Modern Machine Generation
New CNC machines consume up to 30% less electricity than predecessor models through regenerative drives, energy-efficient servo motors and intelligent standby modes.
Process Optimisation
Optimised machining strategies reduce run times and therefore energy consumption. Adaptive feed rate control and High-Speed Cutting (HSC) also contribute to efficiency.
Material Optimisation: Machine Less
The most sustainable chip is the one that is never created. By choosing near-net-shape stock (forgings, castings), machining volume and thereby material and energy consumption can be significantly reduced.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What economic benefits does sustainability bring?
Sustainable measures often directly reduce costs: chip recycling generates revenue, longer coolant service life saves disposal costs, and lower energy consumption reduces running costs.
Are there sustainability certifications for CNC shops?
Yes — alongside ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), industry-specific certifications exist. ISO 9001 also increasingly considers environmental aspects.
Conclusion: Sustainability as a Competitive Advantage
Sustainable metalworking is not a burden but a competitive advantage — through cost reduction, better reputation and future-proof processes.
Interested in sustainable manufacturing? Contact us — we produce resource-efficiently and effectively.