At Gerbin Control, we see sustainability and responsible use of materials playing an increasing role in mechanical engineering. With the advent of the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive), companies in the industry are required to report more transparently on their impact on the environment and society. For our customers, this means that new requirements also apply in panel building: from material selection to design and from supplier evaluation to extending the life of products.
We believe that circular design not only contributes to a better world, but also enables new business models and business cases.
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CSRD in the industry
The CSRD is designed to encourage companies to identify and improve their environmental and social impact. In the context of panel construction, these include:
- Reducing the use of primary raw materials
- Leveraging renewable energy in manufacturing and assembly
- Designing products suitable for high-quality reuse or refurbishing
- Transparency in the supply chain so that clients and suppliers know where materials come from
For Gerbin Control, this means working even more closely with designers, suppliers and customers to make our panels as sustainable as possible, without compromising on performance or safety.
Material selection and recycling
An important part of circular design is the conscious choice of renewable resources and secondary materials. When designing a control cabinet, we look at the material value as well as the possibilities for reuse after the end of its life cycle.
This may mean:
- choose metal enclosures that can be easily recycled,
- Use plastics that are suitable for reprocessing,
- Select components that comply with international regulations and standards for sustainability,
- minimize packaging materials or replace them with reusable alternatives.
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Design for disassembly
Detachability is a core principle in the circular economy. In our design strategies, we ensure that components of a panel can be easily disassembled, replaced or updated. This increases ease of maintenance and repair and allows components to be reused in other installations.
For example, modular design takes into account:
- standardized mounting dimensions,
- separating material types for recycling,
- accessibility for inspection and maintenance.
Supplier assessment and chain collaboration
Sustainability does not stop with our own design. In a circular approach, we work with suppliers and partners who share the same vision. We judge them by, among other things:
- Use of sustainable and certified materials,
- transparency in origin of parts,
- deployment of circular chain collaboration for logistics and manufacturing.
By actively working together in the chain, we increase the impact of our approach and connect with initiatives such as the National Circular Economy Program and guidelines from Platform CB’23 and the Knowledge Platform CIRCONNECT.
Contact our experienced innovator
Cees Brasser
With more than 26 years of experience at the helm of Gerbin Control, Cees Brasser is your expert on panel construction for the machinery sector. Discover how his knowledge and insight can take your project to new heights. Get in touch now!
Sample project
In a recent project for a major client, we designed a control cabinet with modular design and high-quality reuse materials. All components were specified so that they could be easily disassembled and reused after the technical lifetime. This approach significantly reduced the environmental impact and gave the client direct insight into the material value and residual streams, which could be included in the CSRD reporting.
At Gerbin Control, we see CSRD, circular design and sustainable panel construction not as additional obligations, but as opportunities. By combining our knowledge of design principles, material selection and chain collaboration, we deliver control cabinets that are ready for the future: energy efficient, modular and designed for the longest possible lifetime.
Want to know how we can design circular control cabinets that contribute to your CSRD goals? Contact our organization for a customized consultation.
