Swedish MNC Alfa Laval is putting circularity into action with ThinkCircularity, a take-back programme that recycles materials from its ThinkTop valve control units. The pilot project has already drawn strong interest from customers and partners, with the first returned products now in the recycling stream.

“Circular thinking is not just a buzzword for us – it is a responsibility,” says Inger Bygum, Head of Sustainability at Alfa Laval Hygienic Fluid Handling and Heat Transfer Technologies. “With ThinkCircularity, we ensure that materials from old ThinkTops can be reused, recycled or disposed of in the most responsible and value-creating manner.”

The programme initially focuses on plastics. Each ThinkTop contains 500 grams of plastic, and early tests show that recycled material can be used to produce new units without compromising quality. Alfa Laval confirms that future units, made from a mix of reused and virgin plastic, meet all performance standards—from tensile strength to durability. Valuable metals and electronics from old units are also responsibly recycled.

Industries such as food, dairy, and pharmaceuticals are increasingly focused on efficiency and resource savings. Upgrading ThinkTop control units can cut water and energy use for cleaning-in-place by up to 90%. In Norway, Skala, Alfa Laval’s Master Distributor, has already introduced the ThinkCircularity take-back programme to its customers and returned several hundred units.

“Our customers care about water and energy efficiency – and sustainability,” says Owe Barsten, Responsible Manager at Skala Components. “Upgrades mean that older units are scrapped, but now we can offer a truly circular solution where old ThinkTops give life to the next generation.”

Alfa Laval’s circularity strategy prioritizes durability, efficiency, and long product lifetimes. With ThinkCircularity, the company now closes the loop by offering an end-of-life solution that ensures old products are recycled responsibly and future units incorporate recycled plastic.

“Recycling plastic from old ThinkTops is just a small drop in a vast ocean of circular opportunities. Still, this pilot project is important to us and has taught us valuable lessons that will help us develop new business models, partnerships and methods to scale reuse and recycling,” Bygum adds.