Howco Heat Treatment Services On Track To Reduce Carbon Footprint By 30%

A major new research report conducted by the UK Business Climate Hub in September 2024 found that just 65% of UK businesses had a plan to reduce their carbon emissions, with regulatory uncertainty post-Brexit one of the many barriers to progress. With half of those surveyed admitting to not measuring their carbon footprint, the world class metals distributor, processor and manufacturer Howco is bucking the trend with its huge investment in sustainability.

Howco, which currently operates 11 locations in six countries on four continents, has made significant strides forwards in its aim to become carbon neutral. As a key capital investment goal for the firm, it is celebrating a landmark achievement at its Sheffield site, where it has reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions across its Heat Treatment and Testing department by 30%.

Kevin Sadler, Heat Treatment manager commented, “Our investment strategy has been to use the latest technology to adapt existing equipment to drive down consumption and emissions. This is an important goal for us in the face of ever-increasing energy and consumable costs, and in the context of achieving our target of becoming carbon neutral. 

“Our progress in this area has resulted in double-digit reductions in consumption and emissions and allowed us to maintain our current cost to customers even as wholesale energy and consumable costs continue to escalate.” 

Howco’s heat treatment and testing service was originally developed for internal purposes but customer demand has seen the creation of a standalone business unit. Its extensive heat treatment capability is supported by eight fully-operational digitally controlled furnaces with up to 10 tons weight capacity. 

Operated by a highly skilled and experienced team, the furnaces operate at a temperature range between 500-1100 ֯C, with a tolerance of +/-5°C and surveyed to API6A & 20H requirements. The department provides a range of post treatment services, Brinell & Rockwell hardness tests. It also straightens to commercial tolerances and provides ISO9712 level II NDT services in PT, MT, UT and PAUT plus ISO9712 level III consultancy. 

Supporting the heat treatment is Howco’s fully independent test laboratory. Technical & Quality Director George Brown states: “Our test laboratory is ISO17025 UKAS accredited offering a range of Mechanical, Metallurgical and Corrosion Testing carried out to recognised National and International Standards within many sectors of the metals industry.”

To find out more about Howco’s heat treatment and testing capabilities, visit: https://www.howcogroup.com/integrated-services/heat-treatment/ or follow the Howco Group on LinkedIn.

Email: europedistenquiries@howcogroup.com

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