References the pharmaceutical industry

Testimonials

GSK Heppignies, Mr. Aboubaque Ifkiren, Fluids Department Manager

GSK is currently the largest producer of vaccines in the world. Its site in Heppignies, which employs 300 people, is specialized in the manufacture of antibiotics for injection and infusions distributed throughout the world. This factory's steam system is a key tool, mainly because the fluid is used in the crucial sterilization process. Mr. Aboubaque Ifkiren supervised the complete audit of the factory's steam network which was performed by Armstrong in the context of the GSK group's general energy savings policy.

"The choice to use a steam network was dictated by its ability to transport large quantities of energy within a relatively compact system. Optimal operation of this network is not only fundamental to our sterilization process, but also to heat our facilities. The energy audit of the steam network performed by Armstrong International helped us to identify potential energy savings. This represented nearly 10% of our annual budget devoted to steam!

The audit also identified the origin of certain recurring breakdowns and failures - mainly due to errors in the design of our system of which we were not aware. We also now have up-to-date isometrics of the steam network and an annual preventive control plan for our traps. Moreover, the highly pragmatic methods and didactic explanations provided by Armstrong's team were great because they were also highly educational for some of our non-technician employees! »

Lonza Braine – Mr. Manuel Rastelli – Maintenance & Utilities Manager

Lonza, whose headquarters are located in Switzerland, is a chemical and biotechnology company active in the life sciences sector. Lonza's turnover in 2006 was 2.91 billion Swiss franks. With 26 sites and around 7100 employees, Lonza is one of the main suppliers of intermediate species, active substances and biopharmaceutical products. Manuel Rastelli, who is responsible for equipment maintenance and the supply of utilities required on the Braine site, followed Armstrong International in the completion of its energy audit of the steam network in 2006. His aim was to increase the reliability of the site's steam network required for the production of pure process water and the regulation of reactors temperature. The system was plagued with recurring water hammers and water leaks which caused energy and financial losses.

"The Armstrong team studied our equipment and its design and then provided us with a detailed expert report and, most importantly, suggested various options for implementation of the solutions. In January 2007, we opted to install a thermosiphon mixer, the solution which required the smallest investment and perfectly solved our concerns regarding shocks in the condensate return. We predict that, based on Armstrong's recommendations, other phases to make the network more reliable will follow, such as the selection of new equipment for our traps installed at the ends of lines."

GSK Biologicals, Isnes, Mr. Stéphane Housiaux, Maintenance Manager

The activities of the GSK Biologicals factory in Isnes (Gembloux) are concentrated on "scaling up" for the commercialization of human vaccine products. The results of Armstrong International's energy audit of the factory's steam network helped Stéphane Housiaux, the site's Maintenance Manager, to optimize both the steam system and his schedule.

"Steam plays a key role in both our sterilization process and the production of clean fluids used in the composition of our finished products. We also use steam for heating and to regulate humidity levels in our facilities. Our aim in entrusting this audit to Armstrong International was not only to receive a list of problems in our network (as was the case with our former supplier), but also to receive concrete solutions in terms of reduced energy costs and CO2 emissions, in accordance with the Kyoto objectives.

The results met and even exceeded our expectations. After the audit, Armstrong proposed several possibilities for improvement to achieve savings of up to 10% of our annual steam budget. We were able to apply some of these solutions rapidly, particularly those which were less expensive and required less time to achieve a short payback. Others are currently being examined as they require greater investment. Moreover, besides being concrete, some solutions suggested were also preventive and not only "repairing". Lastly, Armstrong is capable to handle the projects from A to Z. As Maintenance Manager, this will provide me with complete support, thus allowing me, to a certain extent, to devote considerable time to my other tasks by entrusting Armstrong with those tasks which they are best qualified to perform."

UCB Pharma , Monsieur Olivier Ockerman, Utilities Manager

Since its creation in 1928, UCB has become the largest biopharmaceutical company of Belgian origin. Its main research and production center is located in Braine-L'Alleud. Steam is a key resource for the company as it is used in the various production processes as well as for air treatment in the facilities. In April 2005, Olivier Ockerman, Utilities Manager, supervised the first energy audit of steam consumption in one of the site's units. Now, in light of the benefits gained from the method implemented by Armstrong International, Olivier Ockerman will supervise the audits in the other production units.

"The audit in April 2005 was limited to our Galenics production building. We detected steam losses which were the sign of poor operation of the network. The audit showed that these losses, which were mainly caused by faulty traps, totaled 14% of annual steam production in the building.

Armstrong then guided us to bring this installation into conformity. This first experience was highly conclusive as the trap diagnoses performed in January 2006 and 2007 revealed that the measures taken allowed us to reduce our losses by nearly 8.5% and, consequently, to achieve significant savings. Moreover, the cost of the audit was easily compensated by the savings!

Based on these results, we will soon launch a second phase of audits, this time in our chemicals production building. Armstrong will apply the same methods: start from production (cost of steam tonnage) to determine the ecological impact and analyze heat-insulation losses by thermography, the regulation devices by ultrasound, etc... Moreover, we'll be able to follow the complete results via their safe Internet platform and, lastly, benefit from support during the practical implementation of the solutions proposed."