How new eco regulations are set to shape future pump designs

In the pump sector Germany’s Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers Association (VDMA) plays a vital role in the standardization of testing procedures for several machinery, as well as acting as an official standardization body on behalf of DIN – the German Institute for Standardization.  

VDMA acts as a facilitator, bringing together industry stakeholders to reach consensus on best practices and performance benchmarks, ensuring comprehensive standards that reflect technological advances and industry needs. 

The VDMA provides a place to discuss, create and author national and international standards based on government regulations and technical best practices, ensuring that manufacturers adhere to industry benchmarks for quality, efficiency, and safety. 

In the VDMA Pumps + Systems unit, which represents around 110 European pump manufacturers, the growing demand for sustainability is a key industry trend impacting pump design and testing.  

Manufacturers are increasingly focused on developing energy-efficient pumps and reducing their environmental impact to shape future technology and fulfill regulatory requirements and consumer expectations.  

In the EU, the Ecodesign Directive and the forthcoming ESPR Directive will significantly shape upcoming times. For example, regulations such as the European Union’s Ecodesign Directive set minimum efficiency standards for pumps, encouraging manufacturers to innovate and improve performance. In addition, adapted or even new test methods may be required because of the generally changing requirements in the various pump applications.  

These and many other standards are the pillars that ensure sustainability, quality, and efficiency in the pump industry. Furthermore, VDMA standards also support the industry by specifying, fixing, and clarifying specific requests of the pump industry and are developed in cooperation with user branches.  

Technology is enhancing the testing and design process for pumps. Advanced simulation tools like Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) allow for virtual testing, reducing the need for physical prototypes and speeding up development cycles, revealing deep insights into eg net positive suction head (NPSH) or cavitation phenomena. Operation Technology-enabled sensors provide real-time data on pump performance, enabling predictive maintenance and optimization. This technology opens the door for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).  

If we look at current hardware designs, we see a mature and optimized landscape that is well described by the current norms and standards. Resourceful engineers continue to discover white spots and close them with their innovations. In these areas too, the use of AI and manufacturing-X has become a valuable and appreciated tool for efficiently completing routine work, opening previously closed doors and even discovering new ones. The VDMA also plays a crucial role in this field – contributing with specialized teams and secure places to discover to new frontier.  

As a first big step, VDMA accomplished the description of the pump in the Administration Shell and OPC UA companion specification.  

As a vertical part within the Administration Shell, OPC UA facilitates standardized secure and reliable data exchange between different devices and systems in manufacturing and chemical processing environments. OPC UA also acts as an independent and scalable language enabling interoperability and integration across diverse machinery, software applications and businesses. 

With the focus on future development, VDMA Pumps + Systems provides a platform for member companies and academia to collaborate on pre-commercial research projects to drive innovation and research. Numerous pre-commercial R&D projects which may lead to the realization of improved concepts for design, application, and sustainability which member companies can pick up and apply to their own product developments. 

Out of the EU Green Deal new directives and regulations are challenging the European pump industry. Both manufacturers and commercial users need to keep up with these developments to ensure compliance and remain competitive in the marketplace (eg the EU Digital Product Passport (DDP) or Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)). The obligations appearing in the documentation of the new directives/regulations will hugely impact companies. VDMA Pumps + Systems association is aware of this fact and will support and help the entire membership as needed.  

VDMA answers these overwhelming regulations by aligning departments to meet current and future requirements and by bringing member companies closer to association processes and work via projects like Inspire - enabling online access to collaboration groups and information sources.  

On the way through the challenges, the VDMA algins with other international associations like the Hydraulic Institute (US) or keeps local satellite departments directly like VDMA India and VDMA Japan to strengthen the voice of the industry.