PNEUROP and the green challenge
July 01st 2010

Pneurop is the European committee of manufacturers of compressors, vacuum pumps, pneumatic tools and allied equipment, represented by their national associations. Pneurop speaks on behalf of its members in European and international forums regarding the harmonisation of technical, normative and legislative developments in the field of compressors, vacuum pumps, pneumatic tools and allied equipment. Chris Dee reports on recent initiatives

Plans to step up EU funding to develop innovative low-carbon technologies to help cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020 were welcomed in a resolution approved by the European Parliament.

Parliament welcomed the European Commission's Strategic Energy Technology (SET) plans for research into clean, sustainable and efficient low-carbon energy technologies to meet energy and climate goals for 2020. However, MEPs called for more public and private investment, and fresh EU money, to develop these technologies.

PNEUROP Green challenge 2020 The Chair of Pneurop Committee PN7, Philippe Pisani of Atlas Copco France, presented to all participants at the Pneurop Plenary on meeting the ‘Pneurop Green Challenge 2020’.

The objective is to put compressor and vacuum technologies on the agenda of the European Commission as sustainable technologies, contributing to meeting the overall EU challenge of 2020, in the areas of Climate Change and Energy Use.

Examples of innovative and viable environmental technologies are:

• The low carbon economy

• The hydrogen economy

• Process efficiency improvements

A non-exhaustive list of examples has been compiled and presented for discussion. Communication on this topic can be divided into the following four steps: Press releases to communicate through the national associations; asking communication managers at company level to communicate on the project through their own tools; identifying any potential opportunity to communicate in conferences, fairs and so on and proposing an additional budget to produce tools: identity, visual, brochures and dedicated website.

The target for Pneurop is clearly the European Commission – to demonstrate that we are a proactive industry. A comment was made that we should not forget actions taken on noise reduction and water treatment.

The General Secretary of Pneurop, Mr van Doorslaer suggested that the 2020 figures of the European policy should be revised. There is a strong focus put on technology with eight billion Euros to be invested in sustainable technologies to reach the targets. PNEUROP must be present to be recognised as a sustainable technology.

A conference is planned in September at the Energy Event 2010 in the UK (see page 34) and this should provide an opportunity for communication. The assembly was reminded that the Energy Using Products directive which could impact the industry in the near future is a potential concern and that we should not mix the two topics.

Paul Frigne from Atlas Copco Belgium is president of Pneurop. He concludes that we should consider the situation as an opportunity and not as a threat, and that the first objective should be to build an image through a campaign.

If you would like further information on Pneurop, the Green Challenge 2020, and other European initiatives please register your interest by sending an email to chris@bcas.org.uk

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