Sustainability in Lifting: Engineering a Greener Future

Sourcing of raw materials

Modulift’s decision not to import steel from the Far East, where much of the steel is produced, is a strategic move that supports their sustainability goals. By sourcing steel locally or from nearby regions, Modulift can significantly reduce the environmental impact associated with transportation, promote higher environmental standards, and support local economies. Here’s how this decision enhances Modulift’s sustainability:

1. Reduced Carbon Footprint from Transportation

• Minimising Long-Distance Shipping: Steel imported from the Far East involves long transportation routes, typically by sea freight, followed by road or rail transport. Shipping heavy materials like steel over long distances leads to significant carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from the fuel burned in ships and trucks.
• Local Sourcing Reduces Emissions: Modulift minimises the distance that steel needs to travel, which in turn reduces fuel consumption and associated emissions. This has a direct positive impact on reducing Modulift’s overall carbon footprint, contributing to more sustainable production processes.

2. Higher Environmental and Labour Standards

• Stringent Environmental Regulations: Countries with advanced environmental regulations typically have stricter controls over pollution, waste management, and resource efficiency in steel production. Modulift’s decision to source steel locally from regions with higher environmental standards ensures that the steel they use is produced with fewer environmental impacts, including lower emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants like sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
• Avoiding Low-Standard Production: Steel production in some regions, including parts of the Far East, may not always adhere to stringent environmental standards. These regions often rely on coal-fired energy, which results in higher emissions, and may lack robust pollution controls. By avoiding steel from these areas, Modulift supports more responsible and environmentally friendly production practices.

3. Support for Local Economies

• Boosting Local Steel Industries: By choosing not to import steel from the Far East, Modulift supports local and regional steel industries. This not only contributes to local economic growth but also fosters a more resilient and sustainable supply chain. Supporting local industries encourages job creation, infrastructure development, and economic stability in regions with more sustainable production practices.
• Shorter Supply Chains: Local sourcing reduces dependence on global supply chains, which can be volatile due to geopolitical tensions, economic disruptions, or global trade issues. This makes Modulift’s supply chain more resilient, reliable, and sustainable.

4. Transparency and Accountability

• Better Oversight: Sourcing steel locally gives Modulift more control and visibility over the production processes used by its suppliers. Local steel manufacturers are often subject to higher levels of scrutiny and accountability from governments, environmental organisations, and the public. This increases transparency around production practices, ensuring that sustainability claims are more credible and verifiable.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): By sourcing steel closer to home, Modulift can engage more easily with its suppliers, ensuring that their operations align with Modulift’s CSR goals and environmental standards. This improves supply chain integrity and ensures that all parties adhere to sustainable practices.

5. Reduction in Energy Intensity of Production

• Cleaner Energy Sources: Steel production in many regions that Modulift may source from is increasingly powered by renewable energy or more energy-efficient processes, such as Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF). These processes allow the use of recycled scrap steel and are significantly less energy-intensive than the blast furnaces often used in some parts of the Far East, which rely heavily on coal.
• Lower Emissions from Production: By sourcing steel from regions with cleaner energy grids, Modulift ensures that the steel they use has a lower carbon footprint from the outset. This reduces the environmental impact of the steel even before it reaches Modulift’s manufacturing processes.

Sustainable Materials and Recycling

• Recyclability of Steel: Modulift primarily uses high-grade steel for their spreader beams, a material that is highly recyclable. At the end of the product’s life, the steel can be melted down and reused in other applications, significantly reducing waste and the need for virgin materials. Modulift’s focus on steel aligns with broader sustainability goals, as steel recycling conserves raw materials, reduces energy consumption, and minimises emissions associated with steel production.
• Optimised Material Usage: Modulift designs its products to use the minimum amount of material necessary to achieve the required strength and safety standards. This helps reduce material waste in manufacturing and decreases the overall weight of the beams, which can positively impact transportation efficiency and fuel consumption.

Long Product Lifespan

• Durability and Reusability: Modulift spreader beams, lifting beams and spreader frames are known for their durability, which extends the lifespan of their spreader beams and reduces the need for frequent replacements. By designing robust products that can withstand heavy usage over time, Modulift minimises the environmental impact associated with manufacturing new products. The longer a product lasts, the fewer raw materials, energy, and emissions are needed to create replacements.
• Modular Design: Modulift’s spreader beams are modular, meaning they can be reconfigured or adapted to different lifting requirements. This flexibility allows companies to reuse the same beams for a variety of projects, reducing the need for new equipment and further reducing waste.