Guaranteed Pumpability: SEEPEX FlowShred Conditions Fibrous and Bulky Waste for Smooth Conveying

Vacuum technology is indispensable in paper sack manufacturing. It plays a vital role at several critical stages of the production process. At dy-pack, suction cups mounted on small robotic arms grip the sides of each sack blank, lift it from the stack and position it for the next process step. Vacuum ensures that the sacks are aligned one after the other so that the bottom can be opened in a controlled manner.

One of the most effective ways to improve the energy efficiency of a vacuum system is to ensure that the operating capacity of the vacuum pump is aligned with the actual needs of the process. A vacuum pump that runs at full speed when the process demand is low wastes energy and can cause unnecessary wear on equipment, reducing service life. By implementing intelligent control systems and variable speed drives (VSD), energy consumption can be significantly cut, leading to lower operating costs and a reduced carbon footprint.

Every vacuum pump converts electrical energy into mechanical work. Inevitably, much of that energy becomes heat, resulting from heating in motor windings, friction between moving parts, and gas compression. While heat generation is unavoidable, how it is managed influences not only the efficiency of the vacuum pump, but can also affect the efficiency of other associated systems and equipment located nearby.

The UK water sector’s AMP8 programme will invest more than £100 billion in infrastructure over five years. In this guest comment, BPMA Technical Officer Gary Wilde argues that success will depend on more than capital alone — whole-life procurement, resilient supply chains and investment in skills and technology.

Energy efficiency is no longer a peripheral consideration for the UK pump industry — it is now central to how the sector innovates, competes and contributes to national sustainability goals. Given that pumping systems account for a significant proportion of electricity use across industry, utilities and building services, the opportunity to reduce energy consumption — and associated carbon emissions — is both substantial and urgent.

SEEPEX has introduced BN pumps with Smart Joint Access (SJA), engineered for the reliable and precise transfer of abrasive, corrosive, and chemical media in mining and construction. Designed for rock blasting, the pump features a large inspection opening for quick joint checks, a compact footprint for mobile or skidmounted installations, and flexible drive and material options for consistent performance and uptime.