Donald roels
The goal of many companies in the industry is clear: to be climate-neutral by 2050. Roadmaps are being set up and a lot of hard work is being done on new technologies to achieve circularity and to deploy bio-based raw materials. But how do you cash in on these new technologies and how do you integrate them into an efficient production process? And how do you market this innovation with a realistic planning and budget? ‘That is precisely where our added value lies,' says Donald Roels, Process Engineering Consultant at KH Engineering.
‘We have recently expanded our services,' says Donald. ‘In line with our mission and vision, we have set up the New Energy & Infrastructure market segment. With this, we concentrate all knowledge on the transition to a fossil-free economy. This knowledge and services can be directly applied in the other market segments; Chemical, Hydrocarbon, Life consumer and Storage & Logistics. This is logical, because both the national and the European government have tightened the requirements for CO2 reduction for all branches of industry.’
Combining the pieces of the puzzle
Donald Roels has over fifteen years of experience in process and project engineering. His extensive technical baggage and knowledge are directly applicable in industrial projects. In order to strengthen the vision of KH Engineering with the new market segment, Donald has been involved in his role as consultant from the start, focusing on the earliest project phases and innovative technologies. Donald notices that not only existing clients come to KH Engineering, but also start-ups and scale-ups. ‘For existing companies, it is a matter of drawing up their roadmap towards significant CO2 emission reductions, which often requires the use of new technologies. On the other hand, we see many new initiatives emerging for circular solutions. All these innovative technological solutions are in themselves small but necessary pieces in the overall puzzle of becoming more sustainable. Customers turn to us to ask how they can combine the pieces of the puzzle in a project-based way. With our knowledge of engineering and the process industry, we help make that happen. Moreover, we link a realistic budget and planning to the design and can often also advise on possible subsidy procedures.’
Local solutions
KH Engineering is broadly and flexibly deployable. Donald gives a few examples. ‘Sometimes, we look at the feasibility of applying mechanical vapour compression in an industrial production environment, which allows you to reprocess steam condensate into process steam without using fossil fuels. Another time, a waste processing company asks us to assess a concept for an integrated waste separation line, enabling them to extract specific material flows from the household waste that can then be reused in the chain. We also have contact with start-ups that are about to develop their biobased or circular technology on a commercial scale and are looking for support in both project implementation and engineering.’ Another change Donald has noticed is that it often involves smaller local solutions. ‘Re- or upcycling of raw materials preferably takes place close to the source, so that the installations are generally more compact. The advantage of this is that the design can be standardized and is relatively easy to implement at other locations.
Practicality
‘In all cases, we take the practical side for the customer,' says Donald. ‘We lay the ideal foundation for what they want to achieve. Does the installation do what you want it to do? We also use specifically validated methods such as value engineering. This method focuses on defining functionalities in the design or the intended solution: is it better to omit an expensive and perhaps unprofitable extra processing step? In this way, we make a good and pure calculation and an insightful process that is safe for people and the environment.’
Sustainability target
Donald sees a bright future for the new focus market New Energy & Infrastructure. ‘The industry has been given a sustainability target that applies to each individual company. The roadmaps towards significant CO2 emission reductions by 2030, which many companies are working on, are mostly outline plans. KH Engineering makes those plans concrete. What needs to change in your process to achieve those goals? Do you have enough space at your location? What does it mean for your infrastructure and what are the costs involved? Naturally, attention is also paid to possible changes in operational side of the business. We take care of the concrete and practical implementation of the objectives in predictable projects. For all these assignments, the earlier we are at the table, the better and more cost-effective our solutions will be.’
For more information on circular business, please contact donald.roels@khe.eu.