We are working to support UN Sustainable Development Goals 6: Clean water and sanitation, 7: Affordable and clean energy and 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure as part of this pillar of our new sustainability framework. We have set the following strategic commitments to help drive progress:

• We enable sustainable management of water resources and greater efficiency for our customers

• We support customers’ energy and emissions reduction and enable them to incorporate renewable energy into their operations

• We play our part to enable the global energy transition and support a cleaner, more sustainable future

Our progress

In fulfilling our Purpose - ‘Keeping the world flowing for future generations’ - Rotork is helping to tackle some of the most important sustainability challenges of our time. We are seizing the opportunity to drive positive outcomes through our products and services - through what we describe as our environmental ‘handprint’.

As electrification becomes a crucial economy-wide tool for reducing emissions, Rotork’s smart, low power solutions play an ever-greater role in supporting the electrification of industrial processes. Our products and services are a necessary component of many processes for low and no-carbon energies, all of which are valve and actuator intensive. They have long been used in hydrogen processes for example, where industry relies on our hydrogen-certified equipment.

Our intelligent products and services play a key role in the energy transition too, for example in reducing methane emissions, gasification and biofuel production. Rotork technology also enables the provision of a safe and efficient water supply, as well as supporting sustainable management of water, helping to narrow the gap between supply and demand of fresh water.

New energies

Hydrogen

Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies have significant potential to enable the transition to a clean, low-carbon energy system. Hydrogen produces zero emissions at point of use. It has been used in industry for many years, for example in refining and ammonia production, and the industry has long relied upon Rotork’s certified equipment for production, storage, transportation and utilisation. New energy hydrogen applications, including electrolysers, fuel cells and refuelling stations are in their infancy but have very significant potential. Hydrogen represents an opportunity for all Rotork divisions.

Electrification

One of the key ways the oil & gas sector can reduce its operational emissions is by replacing systems in its up-, mid- and downstream facilities traditionally powered by process gas with those powered by electricity. Electrification is underway in many parts of the world (especially Europe) and is becoming a major theme in the industry. As the world leader in electric actuation, with its products focused on low power consumption and process safety assurance, Rotork is well placed to support the electrification trend not just in oil & gas but also in other end markets served by our other divisions.

Biofuel

Biofuels, particularly hydrotreated vegetable oil which is growing in Europe, can be much more environmentally friendly than their 100% fossil fuel counterparts, although care is required to manage challenges such as water usage. The International Energy Agency (‘IEA’) is targeting biofuels meeting more than a quarter of global demand for transport fuels by 2050. Biofuel plants have extensive flow control equipment including valves and actuators. Rotork has supplied actuators and network systems and provided on-site services to the biofuel industry for many years.

New technologies

Methane emission reduction

Methane is a greenhouse gas that is emitted during the production, storage, transportation and utilisation of coal, natural gas and oil. It also results from livestock, other agriculture, and decay of organic waste. Climate scientists believe that prioritising methane emission reductions make sense for two main reasons (i) a tonne of methane causes 86 times more global warming than does a tonne of CO2 and (ii) the majority of emissions could be avoided with technologies available today at no cost. In the energy sector, methane escapes via leaks and from venting of methane-powered pneumatic devices. Rotork has many years’ experience in methane emission reduction and a full suite of solutions, representing a significant opportunity for us to help tackle emissions.

Carbon capture, utilisation and storage

Carbon capture, utilisation & storage (‘CCUS’) is the process of capturing waste carbon dioxide (CO2), and transporting it to be used as a resource or deposited where it will not enter the atmosphere. Processes for CCUS are flow control equipment intensive, requiring large numbers of control and on-off valves as well as intelligent electric actuators and related network control systems. Rotork’s advanced products are already in use in many of the world’s CCUS facilities including ones in Australia, Norway and the United Arab Emirates. Many industries are expected to capture their CO2 in the future, representing an opportunity for all three Rotork divisions.