The environmental crisis, driven by resource-intensive production and consumption inherent in the linear economic model, necessitates a shift towards sustainable and circular business models at macro and meso levels. Addressing the climate emergency, the European Union has enacted green policies, including the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), to encourage eco-friendly production processes while enhancing market competitiveness. However, a successful transition to sustainable models hinges on the role of design. Manufacturers must adopt Ecodesign methodologies, integrating a Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) approach. Tools like Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) enable businesses to measure environmental impacts and guide circular strategies. This article explores Emec Pumps, an Italian company specialising in water treatment and chemical dosing devices, as a case study of transitioning to a circular, sustainable production model. Emec Pumps has embraced sustainability by applying Ecodesign strategies to innovate its products. Notably, the company collaborated with EcodesignLab S.r.l., a University of Camerino spin-off, to redesign an electromagnetic pump used in water quality management for facilities like swimming pools. Using an LCT approach, they conducted an LCA to evaluate the environmental performance of the pump, identifying several critical issues. Key findings revealed that high-impact materials, such as PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) and critical raw materials used in electronic components, significantly affected the pump's environmental footprint, particularly during production and end-of-life (EOL) phases. The pump's low disassembly capability further hindered material recovery and recycling. These insights prompted improvements to the pump’s architecture, such as optimising material use and enhancing disassembly features, following an LCT and Design for Disassembly (DfD) approach. The Emec Pumps case exemplifies a company aligning its mission with circularity and sustainability. By adopting LCT principles supported by LCA methodology, Emec Pumps achieved measurable gains in resource efficiency, material optimisation, and reduced environmental impact. This initiative underscores the importance of design and innovation in driving sustainable transitions and demonstrates the feasibility and benefits of integrating Ecodesign practices into manufacturing processes. This approach is in line with SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) 12, present within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular with targets 12.4 and 12.5, which concern the eco-friendly management of chemicals and waste.
Life cycle thinking and ecodesign to improve the environmental sustainability and circularity of an electromagnetic pump for chemical dosing
Vittorio Giannetti
2026
Abstract
The environmental crisis, driven by resource-intensive production and consumption inherent in the linear economic model, necessitates a shift towards sustainable and circular business models at macro and meso levels. Addressing the climate emergency, the European Union has enacted green policies, including the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), to encourage eco-friendly production processes while enhancing market competitiveness. However, a successful transition to sustainable models hinges on the role of design. Manufacturers must adopt Ecodesign methodologies, integrating a Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) approach. Tools like Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) enable businesses to measure environmental impacts and guide circular strategies. This article explores Emec Pumps, an Italian company specialising in water treatment and chemical dosing devices, as a case study of transitioning to a circular, sustainable production model. Emec Pumps has embraced sustainability by applying Ecodesign strategies to innovate its products. Notably, the company collaborated with EcodesignLab S.r.l., a University of Camerino spin-off, to redesign an electromagnetic pump used in water quality management for facilities like swimming pools. Using an LCT approach, they conducted an LCA to evaluate the environmental performance of the pump, identifying several critical issues. Key findings revealed that high-impact materials, such as PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) and critical raw materials used in electronic components, significantly affected the pump's environmental footprint, particularly during production and end-of-life (EOL) phases. The pump's low disassembly capability further hindered material recovery and recycling. These insights prompted improvements to the pump’s architecture, such as optimising material use and enhancing disassembly features, following an LCT and Design for Disassembly (DfD) approach. The Emec Pumps case exemplifies a company aligning its mission with circularity and sustainability. By adopting LCT principles supported by LCA methodology, Emec Pumps achieved measurable gains in resource efficiency, material optimisation, and reduced environmental impact. This initiative underscores the importance of design and innovation in driving sustainable transitions and demonstrates the feasibility and benefits of integrating Ecodesign practices into manufacturing processes. This approach is in line with SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) 12, present within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular with targets 12.4 and 12.5, which concern the eco-friendly management of chemicals and waste.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
