Industrial Energy Efficiency: the key is in the finish

 

In the current industrial setting, energy efficiency has emerged as a priority in sustainable development policies.
This fact is highlighted by the Energy Efficiency Report 2023, which shows that Italy invested around 12.79 billion euros in energy efficiency in 2022. Out of this amount, 2.19 billion were allocated to the industrial sector, an increase of 13.8% compared to the previous year.

 

While this growth reflects a welcome post-pandemic recovery, the importance of pushing ahead with the adoption of innovative solutions in order to reach the 2030 energy efficiency targets cannot be overstated.

 

In this context, advanced finishing technologies have a key role to play in modernising industry. This is because they allow companies to improve their market position and comply with standards while, crucially, embracing more sustainable manufacturing practices. Cefla Finishing is a leading developer of such technologies, which not only respond to the burgeoning demand for efficiency and lessened environmental impact but also open up new opportunities for innovation and competitiveness in a range of sectors.

 

 

THE MOST INNOVATIVE FINISHING SOLUTIONS

It doesn't matter which industry you’re in: if you want to lead it, these solutions are a must.

 

Finishing processes are applied on a vast range of products: from sunglasses to saucepans, from furniture to cars. Innovative finishing techniques don't only allow companies in numerous sectors to improve their market position, respond to increasingly stringent regulations and boost profits: they also let entire industries embrace more sustainable techniques and lower their environmental impact.

 

At Cefla Finishing we develop new technologies to address the energy efficiency and sustainability challenges facing manufacturing companies all over the world. We belong to an international multi-business group with 1,900 employees worldwide: the group’s mission is to create value over time via solutions that combine performance and sustainability, business- and environmental-friendliness, productivity and quality.

 

Our finishing solutions are employed in all kinds of fields, from the furniture industry to construction, from automotive to aerospace, from durable goods to packaging. These cutting-edge techniques are applicable on any type of product or surface: wood and its derivatives, glass, plastic, fibre cement, ceramic, composite materials and metal. 

Our solutions include integrated lines, stand-alone machines, industrial digital printers, plus service packages and software solutions that help companies achieve their business goals by making full use of technological innovation and unmatched finishing expertise

The market is always evolving. Trends change all the time, as do requests from end users and the brands that delegate production. However, there’s one increasingly crucial aspect that promises to be a constant in the future: process sustainability, both in terms of economic performance and environmental impact. 

 

From this perspective, cutting-edge finishing solutions offer tools that can radically transform the futures of countless companies worldwide while having a positive impact on the broader socio-economic fabric. Cefla Finishing solutions stand out for their capacity to optimise energy and production efficiency, reduce downtimes and enhance operational flexibility. Let's look at some of the most significant technologies for raising industrial efficiency.

Implemented on the Easy oscillating spray coater, the revolutionary FCS system drastically reduces colour changeover times to less than 30 seconds, as opposed to the 150-180 seconds that traditional methods require. This means significant savings in terms of time - up to 30 minutes a day or 2-3 hours a week - and energy.

Matt finishes provide added value in terms of surface durability and sustainability. Using UV products/coatings and excimer ovens with low nitrogen consumption such as the Exydry-Z, manufacturers can create super-matt finishes with soft-touch, anti-scratch and anti-fingerprint effects that are sustainable and in great demand.

Smartcoater PRO is an ingenious roller coating machine designed to reduce coating consumption and improve energy efficiency. Finishing shaped panels would normally require greater quantities of spray-applied coating. Equipped with a soft rubber applicator roller, Smartcoater PRO can flawlessly manage panels with grooves of up to 10 mm, lowering coating consumption, reducing the required number of handling tasks and getting the product to market faster.

The iBotic Cartesian interpolated-axes spraying robot, with one or two arms, is just one of several solutions that reduce machine downtimes. Featuring the TIMESKIP device, iBotic enables fast, seamless colour changeovers. While one robot arm continues spraying, the other moves to a zone dedicated to colour changeovers, ensuring zero downtime. This makes it an ideal tool for achieving energy sustainability and company profitability in countless sectors.

Industrial digital printing is a cutting-edge technology that’s gaining ground in a vast range of industries. It provides manufacturers with huge scope for customisation, lets them produce small batches sustainably and reduces production and energy costs significantly. CROMATICA offers a perfect example: this latest technological innovation from the Marcegaglia Group is revolutionizing the use of pre-painted metal in the construction industry.I

In conclusion, the challenges concerning industrial energy efficiency require commitment and targeted investment in ground-breaking technologies. Addressing this change is not merely a question of improving productivity and sustainability. It also gives companies a valuable opportunity to stand out on the market and effectively respond to the growing demand for environmental responsibility. 

The perfect innovation partner will be one that offers not just state-of-the-art solutions to achieve goals but one that also provides continuous assistance, training and targeted services. This approach ensures that the introduction of new technology will create a lasting competitive advantage. It means industry can build a successful future where energy efficiency and sustainability go hand in hand with business growth and innovation.

With an international network of finishing experts sharing skills in a vast range of industries, we’re a hive of technological excellence, a trusted supplier and a partner ready to help you achieve your energy efficiency and business goals.
 

 

 

 

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