Alfa Laval Ltd - Experts & Thought Leaders

Alfa Laval has signed an agreement to acquire NRG Marine, a provider of ultrasonic anti-fouling solutions for marine, oil and gas, and industrial applications, headquartered in the United Kingdom. The move aligns with Alfa Laval’s strategy to provide its customers with environmentally friendly solutions contributing significantly towards improving operational efficiency, reducing costs, and extending the lifecycle of the asset. Closing of the acquisition is expected during Q2, 2025. Innovative ultrasonic anti-fouling technology By incorporating NRG Marine’s cutting-edge ultrasonic technology into its portfolio, Alfa Laval aims to offer an innovative solution for anti-fouling with significant operational and environmental benefits for marine, oil and gas, and other industrial markets. NRG Marine's proactive anti-fouling technology utilises ultrasonic microscopic bubbles that implode, creating agitation that disrupts the surface environment. This agitation passively cleans the surface, reducing fouling, scaling, sludge, and deposits on critical components. Protecting marine ecosystems For the oil and gas sector, this technology helps prevent and clean the stationary surfaces For marine vessels, fouling is not just important from a fuel savings and decarbonisation perspective. Biofouling, the accumulation of organisms on ship parts, increases the risk of spreading invasive species, leading to ecological and economic harm. Anti-fouling systems are crucial for mitigating this issue, reducing the spread of invasive species, and protecting marine ecosystems. For the oil and gas sector, this technology helps prevent and clean the stationary surfaces to avoid biofouling. Being ATEX-approved, it complies with required safety standards that make it reliable and safe. Decarbonisation efforts “In the race to net zero, solutions that enhance energy efficiency and operational performance are more essential than ever,” says Sameer Kalra, President Marine Division, Alfa Laval. “The inclusion of ultrasonic anti-fouling technology into our portfolio is another addition to our decarbonisation toolbox. By addressing the critical problem of biofouling with this advanced technique, we will enable our customers to meet both business and environmental objectives.” Sustainable solutions "We are excited to join forces with Alfa Laval through this acquisition to extend ultrasound technology for anti-fouling treatment to marine, oil and gas, and other industrial sectors,” says Darren Rowlands, Founder & CEO of NRG Marine. “Alfa Laval's commitment to sustainable solutions and extensive global network make them an ideal partner for us. This strategic move will increase our market reach and scalability, making our solution more accessible to customers.” Reduced costs and increased operational efficiency Fitting the system improves the operational efficiency of the asset, reduces maintenance Ultrasonic anti-fouling technology emerges as a promising alternative to other methods, offering significant advantages across industries. Fitting the system improves the operational efficiency of the asset, reduces maintenance while lowering cleaning costs, and extends the asset’s lifecycle. The system’s low cost compared to the value gained from reduced fouling and improved maintenance cycles offers attractive returns on investment. For the marine industry, in addition to the above advantages, keeping equipment free of organic growth offers significant fuel savings, supports decarbonisation efforts, and ensures compliance with environmental regulations. Cost-effective solution The system can be installed on any ship type, whether newbuild or existing and requires no drydocking or through-hull fittings, minimising installation time and associated costs. Operating continuously, even when a vessel is stationary, this non-invasive method eliminates the need for harsh chemicals and frequent cleaning, offering a sustainable and cost-effective solution to maintain vessel cleanliness and efficiency. Improved environmental ratings By adopting this advanced technology, shipowners can easily and cost-effectively improve their vessels’ environmental ratings, aligning with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) regulations. This solution significantly enhances vessel CII and other environmental metrics, providing a more sustainable alternative to other anti-fouling methods.

The event, hosted by Alfa Laval, takes place online on 15 October from 9 to 11:15 am CET. Industry professionals are invited to join and gain insights from thought pioneers on key topics relating to the maritime industry. As achieving net zero targets climbs to the top of the maritime industry agenda, the Marine Innovation Summit 2024 allows the Marine industry to connect with industry experts as they unravel the route to sustainable shipping. Sustainable shipping The Summit will discuss transformative trends, including digitalisation, port operations, connectivity, routing, artificial intelligence, and much more. Participation in the event is free and registration is open. The event will be broadcast live from Alfa Laval’s head office in Lund, Sweden, and Shanghai, China at 9:00 am CET. Decarbonisation, innovation, and AI The potential impact of AI on shipping practices, strategies for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 The Marine Innovation Summit is a forum that convenes experts across the industry to discuss the advancements in the global maritime industry that accelerate the transition towards sustainable shipping. Discussions will focus on key themes such as difficulties in reducing emissions in ports and exploring actionable solutions, the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on shipping practices, strategies for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and driving sustainable innovation through collaboration. Sustainable future “Engaging in forward-thinking discussions with the maritime experts is essential for accelerating the industry’s journey towards a sustainable future,” says Sameer Kalra, President, Marine Division, Alfa Laval. “By exploring key topics and gaining insights from experts, we deepen our understanding of the industry and equip ourselves to navigate the transition necessary for decarbonising our oceans.” Distinguished speakers and panelists to drive discussions Marine Innovation Summit 2024 will bring together a diverse group of industry pioneers, including representatives The Marine Innovation Summit 2024 will bring together a diverse group of industry pioneers, including representatives from notable shipping companies, environment committees, and research institutes, for the live-streamed event lasting two hours. The summit will feature two-panel discussions. Panel 1 will focus on the topic ‘Why has it been so difficult to reduce emissions in ports?’ Panel 2 will explore the topic ‘AI will not have any impact on shipping or….?’ Maritime energy transition One of the highlights of the summit is the keynote speech by Dr. Uwe Lauber, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Sales Officer of MAN Energy Solutions SE. His talk on the topic ‘The maritime energy transition: Can the shipping/maritime industry get to net zero by 2050?’ will provide valuable insights to the audience. Frederik Schur Riis, Head of Green Ship of The Future, will be the summit’s inspirational speaker. In his talk on ‘Driving sustainable innovation through collaboration’, he will emphasise how collaborative efforts can lead to advancements in the maritime sector.

Alfa Laval has received an order to replace 18 ballast water treatment systems (BWMS) onboard vessels belonging to a major European shipowner. This significant order shows the high demand for the replacement of malfunctioning systems and a growing market for Alfa Laval’s BWMS replacement offering. Strict regulations and controls  Strict regulations and frequent controls are driving shipping companies to ensure their ballast water treatment systems are fully operational to avoid high costs, downtime, and potential business losses. As the majority of the world fleet is now equipped, the BWMS retrofit market is nearing saturation. Many suppliers have reduced their commitment to customers or exited the market entirely, leading to a lack of support and upgrade options as regulations evolve. This is especially challenging when the systems purchased are not functioning properly. High demand for replacement of BWMS Alfa Laval has replaced more than 250 systems from 30 different manufacturers, and the order book Over the past two years, Alfa Laval has replaced more than 250 systems from 30 different manufacturers, and the orderbook for replacement continues to grow. "With the consolidation of the BWMS market, we see a growing need for replacing installed BWMS systems," says Tobias Doescher, Head of Global Sales, Business Development and Marketing, Alfa Laval PureBallast. Tobias Doescher adds, "We have been contacted by an increasing number of shipowners and ship management companies worldwide who are experiencing issues that their current supplier cannot resolve. We are happy to step in and support our customers with cost-efficient and sustainable solutions." Professional approach to replacement projects Alfa Laval has experience replacing systems using electrochlorination (EC) and UV technology. The replacement projects are handled professionally by a thorough onboard assessment of the existing system by a qualified expert. This comprehensive evaluation determines necessary replacements and identifies components that can be reused, resulting in substantial cost savings for clients. The replacement process is customised for each customer, providing them peace of mind in meeting BWMS compliance. Ballast water management equipment "The success of this offering validates the way Alfa Laval has chosen to work - partnering for the entire lifecycle of ballast water management equipment rather than being a one-time supplier," says Peter Sahlén, Head of Alfa Laval PureBallast. Peter Sahlén adds, "While other suppliers are exiting the market, we are investing in our experts, actively following the regulations, and offering new services to facilitate compliance. We have even launched our new PureBallast 3 Ultra, developed based on years of customers' feedback."