Haldex, which manufactures air brake and suspension control systems, said it will save more than 3,900 tons in carbon dioxide emissions in 2006 through its remanufacturing process. This decrease is the result of energy saved by remanufacturing
components rather than manufacturing new components.
By recycling metal castings, Haldex eliminates the need to create and machine new castings, therefore, all emissions associated with this process are eliminated. Savings include energy used in production such as raw materials, electricity and transportation.
As part of a continuing effort to preserve our environment, in addition to providing quality products to the commercial vehicle industry, Haldex operates a remanufacturing facility in Marion, North Carolina. In the facility, the majority of raw materials required for production come from cores.
Mark Owen, product manager for the Remanufactured Product Division at Haldex, said many major internal parts are salvageable, while items such as gaskets, o-rings and seals are replaced 100 percent. The components are cleaned, checked, gauged and then replaced, or machined as necessary to insure original product life. In addition to salvaging internal components, Haldex recycles all cardboard, paper, pallets, water and oils from the cleaning process.
Parts not reusable, such as gaskets and rubber products, are eliminated during the cleaning process and discarded. Other non-reusable items worn beyond use or damaged beyond repair, such as iron and aluminum castings, are recycled for new production.
“Many truck components can be remanufactured,” said Owen. “But some components are better suited for remanufacturing than others. High metal content of a component is obviously a key since it represents an area of significant energy/material cost savings.”
Haldex adheres to a very strict set of remanufacturing procedures for each component and final assembled product. During its remanufacturing process, Haldex begins by completely tearing down each unit. Once apart, each component is cleaned and inspected. After inspection, components are machined back to their original specifications and reassembled. After final assembly, every product is retested to establish that it meets OE specifications.
Haldex remanufactures each component to a like-new condition that meets or exceeds OEM specifications, while many rebuilders simply recondition products to a predetermined operating condition.
Haldex has been in the all-makes remanufacturing business since 1985. Core products include air valves, compressors, dryers, water pumps, starters/alternators, clutches, hydraulics, steering gears/pumps as well as many other components for the medium and heavy duty trucking industry. In its remanufacturing process, Haldex recycles 8.2 million pounds of metal and 260,000 pounds of wood product annually.