Alfa Laval Ltd - Experts & Thought Leaders

Alfa Laval, a pioneer in heat transfer & centrifugal separation, is pleased to announce the appointment of ESI Process (UK) Ltd as its new distribution partner for the industrial sector and process industries within the United Kingdom, explicitly for Alfa Laval’s Energy Division. Effective immediately, ESI Process (UK) Ltd will be responsible for the distribution of Alfa Laval's extensive range of products and solutions, including Gasketed, Spiral & Compabloc heat exchangers. This partnership aims to enhance Alfa Laval's market presence within the industrial process sector and provide customers with improved access to high-quality products and services. Alfa Laval's growth and expansion ESI Process (UK) Ltd has a strong reputation for delivering innovative solutions "We are excited to welcome ESI Process (UK) Ltd as our new distribution partner," said Marcus Halliday, Channel Manager at Alfa Laval, adding "Their expertise and commitment to excellence align perfectly with our values and strategic goals. We are confident that this collaboration will bring significant benefits to our customers in the UK." ESI Process (UK) Ltd has a strong reputation for delivering innovative solutions and exceptional customer service. With their extensive industry knowledge and dedicated team, they are well-positioned to support Alfa Laval's growth and expansion in the region. Alfa Laval’s broader relationship "We are honoured to partner with Alfa Laval," said David Frame, Sales Manager at ESI Process (UK) Ltd, adding "This partnership represents a significant opportunity for us to expand our product offerings and deliver even greater value to our customers. We look forward to a successful collaboration." Marcus Halliday goes on to say, "This appointment does exclude coverage of our food, water and pharmaceutical sectors in the UK, though does strengthen Alfa Laval’s broader relationship with ESI Technologies Ltd who cover our Food and Water business in Ireland."

Alfa Laval has completed the acquisition of UK-based NRG Marine, a globally renowned provider of ultrasonic anti-fouling technology for marine, oil-and-gas and industrial applications. This strategic move strengthens Alfa Laval’s capabilities toward enhancing energy efficiency and operational performance, while reducing costs and extending asset lifespan. Expanding footprint CII improvement and evolving regulations are accelerating the shift toward future-proof, eco-friendly innovations Rising energy costs, CII improvement and evolving regulations are accelerating the shift toward future-proof, eco-friendly innovations that optimise operations, support decarbonisation and reduce environmental impact. Ultrasonic anti-fouling technology is one such immediate opportunity for industries to improve their operations sustainably. This move strengthens Alfa Laval’s position as a provider of next-generation solutions for multiple sectors. With the addition of ultrasonic anti-fouling technology, Alfa Laval will enable its customers to benefit from solutions that prevent organic matter buildup on the surface of critical assets in a sustainable way, thereby increasing equipment efficiency. Operational excellence "This acquisition is a strategic step towards offering solutions that enhance operational efficiency and minimise environmental footprint, supporting industry’s net-zero objectives,” says Sameer Kalra, President, Marine Division, Alfa Laval. He adds, “By integrating ultrasonic anti-fouling technology into our portfolio, we aim to expand its reach and impact, empowering customers across marine, oil and gas, and industrial sectors with greater energy optimisation and performance improvements.” Enhancing efficiency NRG Marine, recognised for its Sonihull and Agitate brands, prevents organic deposit buildup by using imploding microscopic bubbles to create surface agitation, passively cleaning surfaces and preventing biofouling of critical components. Installing the system improves the equipment's performance and lifespan, reduces system downtime Installing the system improves the equipment's performance and lifespan, reduces system downtime, and lowers maintenance and cleaning costs. The system’s low cost compared to the value gained from reduced fouling and improved maintenance cycles offers attractive returns on investment for all sectors. In addition to the operational benefits, anti-fouling systems play an important role in reducing fuel consumption and improving vessel CII in the maritime industry. They also mitigate the risk of spreading invasive species, further supporting sustainability efforts and other environmental metrics. Green technology solution The system provides reliable, low-maintenance biofouling prevention, critical for enhancing uptime and minimising operational risks in industrial operations. It ensures the uninterrupted cleanliness of internal pipes and valves, keeping operations running smoothly without downtime. In the oil and gas sector, this system prevents biofouling on stationary surfaces. Being ATEX-approved, it complies with required safety standards, ensuring reliability and safety. The ultrasonic anti-fouling technology offers a chemical-free, energy-efficient alternative to traditional anti-fouling approaches, making it a sustainable choice for businesses looking to protect the environment with green technology.   Other key acquisitions driving efficiency In recent years, Alfa Laval has strategically expanded its portfolio through key acquisitions to meet market demands for energy efficiency and decarbonisation with high-impact solutions. The recent acquisitions include StormGeo, a pioneer in weather intelligence and advanced data science solutions; Scanjet, an expert in tank management solutions; and Marine Performance Systems, a company specialising in fluidic air lubrication systems, now selling Alfa Laval systems under the name OceanGlide. Strategic partnerships Additionally, Alfa Laval has strengthened its market position through collaborations such as Oceanbird, a joint partnership between Alfa Laval and Wallenius, to advance wind-assisted propulsion technology for a more sustainable future.

Alfa Laval has signed its first contract for the ammonia fuel supply system, FCM Ammonia, reinforcing its position as a frontrunner in developing solutions for decarbonizing the maritime industry.  The FCM Ammonia will be installed onboard seven LPG/ammonia carriers for Tianjin Southwest Maritime. Ammonia-powered shipping The FCM Ammonia will be installed on a CSSC Huangpu Wenchong shipyard in ChinaAs a front-runner in enabling the use of ammonia, Alfa Laval has achieved a significant milestone by securing the contract for the ammonia fuel supply system, highlighting its technological readiness to handle ammonia as fuel. The FCM Ammonia will be installed on a CSSC Huangpu Wenchong shipyard in China for ship owner Tianjin Southwest Maritime (TSM). The installation will commence with three 25,000 cubic metre vessels, followed by four 41,000 cubic metre vessels. Greener fuel solutions "Through research, product development, and strategic partnerships, we are building the solutions needed for a safe and efficient transition to low-carbon alternative fuels," says Peter Sahlen, Head of Marine Separation, Fuel Supply System & Heat Transfer, Alfa Laval.  “Our deep experience with fuels like methanol and LPG has given us a head start with ammonia, and this first contract validates our commitment to driving decarbonisation in shipping with reliable and innovative solutions.”  Collaborative development drives The FCM Ammonia contract follows extensive testing and development conducted in close collaboration with Swiss engine designer WinGD. In December 2024, comprehensive testing of the full fuel supply system, fuel valve train, and vent treatment system commenced at WinGD’s Engine & Research Innovation Center (ERIC) in Winterthur, Switzerland. These tests, utilising test benches delivered by Alfa Laval Monza, will first validate key components for the vent treatment system, also called the ammonia release mitigation system, and then secure control logic and performance at varying engine loads. Sailing towards clean energy "Collaborating with trusted partners such as Alfa Laval has been instrumental in bringing these new clean-fuel technologies to market, making ammonia-powered shipping a reality. This partnership, along with our joint R&D efforts, underscores our shared commitment to the clean energy transition to enable a sustainable future for shipping,” says Sebastian Hensel, Vice President, Research & Development, WinGD. Future of fuel The research and development project with WinGD for testing FCM Ammonia has laid a strong foundation for its commercial adoption. This is further evidenced by K Shipbuilding receiving Approval in Principle (AIP) from ABS in December 2024 for the design of an ammonia dual-fuel MR1 tanker. Clean marine solutions The project features Alfa Laval’s integrated ammonia fuel system and pioneering vent treatment technology The project, a collaboration between South Korea’s shipbuilder K Shipbuilding (KSB), Alfa Laval, WinGD, and the classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), saw Alfa Laval contribute to the design of the entire fuel system, including the ammonia fuel supply system, fuel valves train, and vent treatment system.  With Alfa Laval also adding an Aalborg ammonia dual-fuel boiler system to the project scope. This achievement marks the first instance of a combined vent treatment system incorporating both a water absorber and burning. The success of the rigorous testing project is generating trust across the industry, and the recognition from class societies further confirms that ammonia can be a safe and viable marine fuel when backed by expert collaboration and robust system design. Powering maritime The first FCM Ammonia unit for TSM is scheduled for delivery at the end of 2025. The contract with TSM, a current customer for FCM LPG, Alfa Laval fuel supply system for LPG, further underlines Alfa Laval’s key role in providing comprehensive fuel solutions to meet the evolving needs of the maritime industry.