Bulten has today launched BUFOe, a product line of energy efficient fasteners that claims to reduce CO2 emissions in the manufacturing process by more than 30%.
The heat treatment part of the fastener manufacturing process has been judged to have the largest negative effect on the environment, Bulten said, through CO2 emissions and energy consumption. The new BUFOe product line uses a combination of materials and a manufacturing process that makes the heat treatment redundant – resulting in a fastener that has a significantly lower impact on the environment, the firm added.
This latest development from Bulten ties into the automotive’s drive for greater energy efficiency, according to Bulten: “As an industrial company and especially as a supplier to the automotive industry, it is necessary for us to constantly develop more energy efficient solutions and to reduce our CO2 emissions," said Anders Nyström, President and CEO of Bulten. "Low CO2 emissions are a competitive means in the automotive industry of the future and, in the long run, also a survival condition for all industrial companies."
Philip Lejon, VP Technology at Bulten, added: “Bulten's brand BUFO has been known for innovation and quality for over 100 years. With our new product line BUFOe we add sustainability to the brand and offer our customers a tangible contribution to the solutions to the industry's climate challenges. Thanks to the characteristics of BUFOe, we can reduce CO2 emissions from our manufacturing by, in the first step, 30% compared to a conventional fastener. If you take into account that every car contains thousands of fasteners and that 90 million cars are produced every year, you understand that the impact will be substantial.”
Bulten has previously won plaudits for its sustainability work, according to EcoVadis, a global organisation that ranks companies' integration of sustainability issues in their business activities.
Energy efficiency and sustainability have become more of a focus in corporate world in recent months, impacting on a wide range of businesses.
Middle East construction show, the Big 5 Dubai, had a considerable focus on sustainability during its latest edition, while UK-based association BHETA has dedicated time at its next retailer networking forum to hone in on sustainability in the DIY sector. Even sectors not commonly associated with sustainability are contemplating how to do more to improve their performance, including the oil and gas industry.
