HPS “Pigging” Technology Saves Tonnes of Carbon Every Day – New Report Confirms

Companies that pump liquids through pipelines can reduce their carbon footprint by literally tonnes of carbon every day, by using HPS liquid product recovery (pigging) technology.

That’s according to a new report from independent sustainability and energy consultancy Carbon-Zero.

Compared to conventional processes and in terms of equivalent carbon savings,

HPS pigging technology reduces carbon emissions by over 2 tonnes every time a manufacturer changes the product being pumped through the pipe.

And there are usually several product changeovers per day.

Using water-based and solvent-based paint production as examples, the report demonstrates that up to 2.68 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent is saved every time there’s a product changeover.

And because many companies will use one line for a number of different products, they can make several changeovers every day.

The amount of carbon saved by pigging has not been specifically quantified before. And the results are higher than expected.

Commenting on the report, Peter Elgar from HPS said,

“We’ve always known that HPS technology lowers the carbon footprint of companies that use it, but we’ve never really put a figure on it before”.

The report also shows that, when taking into account the embodied carbon used in manufacturing the pigging system, the carbon payback periods are instant. Savings of over 95% carbon emissions per changeover are achievable.

“The results of Carbon-Zero’s report are fascinating. And to be honest, the amount of carbon saved is higher than most of us thought”.

As well as carbon reduction, pigging delivers many other benefits to just about any industrial process which pumps liquids through pipework. These benefits include increased yields and capacity, more efficient operation, and significant reduction in product waste, as well as cutting cleaning chemical and water usage.

That’s why HPS pigging technology is used in manufacturing everything from paints and coatings to drinks, foods, household detergents, cosmetics, pet foods, confectionery, industrial lubricants, chemicals and many other liquids.

When asked if the carbon savings in paint production are relevant to other sectors that process liquids, Elgar replied,

“The carbon savings from using pigging systems for paint production are a great example. But the principle is much the same no matter what the product – it could be paint, wine, sauces, pet food, industrial lubricants, perfume or toothpaste being pigged – the carbon savings are going to be high compared to the conventional flush process.”

Manufacturing companies across the world are reducing carbon emissions to meet regulations, become more efficient, be more appealing to their customers or because of pressure from investors.

And for most, reducing greenhouse gases to try and reduce climate change is just 'the right thing to do'.

HPS pigging technology has been around since the 1990’s and is used in manufacturing plants throughout the world.

However, environmental sustainability and embedded carbon reduction have not always been the key reasons that liquid processing companies implement the technology.

“A few years ago, our clients were mainly interested in the major improvements in yields, productivity and operational efficiency given to them by HPS pigging technology. While these are still of course important, the environmental benefits of pigging, including water savings as well as carbon footprint reduction, are now given equal, if not higher importance”.

The Carbon-Zero report is available from in 1995, HPS Product Recovery Solutions increases its customers’ profitability by maximizing product yields, reducing waste, increasing sustainability, lowering carbon footprint and improving efficiency. This is achieved through customized liquid distribution, transfer, and product recovery (pigging) solutions.

With a wide range of customers throughout the world, HPS has successfully installed thousands of solutions. These include projects for multinational corporations such as Unilever, P&G, Akzo Nobel, Boots, The Coca Cola Company, Campbells Soups, Benjamin Moor, Nestle Purina, Mars, Kraft Foods, as well as many smaller independent businesses.

The company’s key markets are the food and drink, cosmetics and personal care, household products, chemicals, paint, lubricants and pet food processing industries.

Headquartered in Nottingham, UK, HPS has offices in the US, Australia, and global partners worldwide, including Brazil, Mexico, Belgium, The Netherlands, plus many more.

More information is on the HPS website at www.HPS-Pigging.com/about-hps or from media@hps-pigging.com