How Green is Your Manufacturing Supplier?

In a market where consumers are increasingly vigilant about environmental claims, companies are now not only increasing their own green credentials, but they are also looking at the standards of the companies that supply them. Faster S.r.l.'s transparent and certified approach sets it apart as a leader committed to genuine sustainability that Biopharma Group is proud to partner with.

Certifications Reflecting Environmental Commitment

Airflow lab equipment manufacturer, Faster S.r.l., has obtained several certifications that underscore its commitment to environmental responsibility:

• ISO 9001:2015: This certification ensures that the company maintains a quality management system focused on continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.
• ISO 14001:2015: This standard specifies requirements for an effective environmental management system, helping Faster S.r.l. enhance its environmental performance.

Certification numbers are only part of the story though, Faster S.r.l. has taken their commitment further by going on to look at green energy and lean manufacturing practices.

ENERGY FROM THE SUN

Any industrial manufacturer that wishes to reduce its environmental impact, must look at the energy needed to power their factory sites. The Faster S.r.l. factory in Ferrara, Italy is fully powered by solar panels on the roof of the building.

This system allows Faster S.r.l.’s building management system to collect energy for the full operation of the factory at all hours. Naturally, the power reaches its full capacity in the hottest hours and requires external power on days without sun, but the energy balance at the end of the day is more than positive. Additionally, the operations team can remotely control the energy supply provided by the panels versus the energy required by the factory at full activity for optimal results.

REDUCING WASTE BY REORGANISING WORKFLOW, THE FASTER S.R.L. APPROACH TO LEAN MANUFACTURING

Lean manufacturing is a production principle that aims to manage and improve production processes by applying the minimum cost to achieve maximum value. This is made possible through the reduction of waste factors and consideration of needs. 

From the redefinition of the factory layout, to minimize waste and loss of time, to the study of assembly processes to minimize waste materials, the application of lean manufacturing contributes a lot to making the production of safety cabinets and other airflow equipment, more efficient and as a result, more environmentally sustainable.

WASTE NOT, WANT NOT: THE IMPORTANCE OF RECYCLING IN INDUSTRY

One area of ​​manufacturing that industries can excel at, if committed, is recycling and reusing waste materials. The Faster S.r.l. factory actively has processes in place to collect, reuse and recycle scrap material. Faster S.r.l. buys the components to be used in their safety cabinets and as part of its environmental policy, then engages a consortium to recycle all the packaging.

Regarding the iron, stainless steel and aluminium sheet used in safety cabinets: everything is recovered and recycled. With waste being about 20% of purchased material, recycling it is essential for sustainability. An excellent example of how this commitment is put into practice, is that in a finished product such as a SafeFAST Elite 212 D that weighs 190kg, over 92% (by weight) of a biohazard cabinet is made from recyclable materials.

Only 15kg of this 190kg is not recyclable (e.g. electrical sockets and other rigid plastic parts; while filters are normally incinerated and not recycled because they are treated as contaminated waste). Most of the weight is in fact made up of iron, stainless steel, glass or recyclable plastics.

In conclusion, Faster S.r.l.’s commitment to green manufacturing is evident in its innovative products, sustainable factory practices and dedication to recycling. By integrating advanced technologies in their products and prioritising renewable energy and waste reduction, Faster S.r.l. sets a high standard for environmentally conscious manufacturing in the lab tech and clean air industries, and this is one of the reasons that makes Biopharma Group proud to offer equipment manufactured by Faster s.r.l. to the UK market.

If you are interested in lab equipment with strong environmental credentials, visit fasterair.co.uk  to discover Biopharma Group’s comprehensive airflow equipment range and associated services, or contact the team to discuss your requirements.