The WE MAKE Project closed with an online international event on last week. On the first day of the two-day conference, the event was opened by Energy Minister Miriam Dalli and Ing Charles Buttigieg representing EWA. The first day was closed by Ing Ruben Cuschieri as Chairperson of The Malta Chamber’s Manufacturing Economic Group, and Joe Tanti as CEO of the Malta Business Bureau. The second day was furthermore opened by The Malta Chamber Deputy President Nick Xuereb. The event was moderated by Timothy Alden, Senior Projects Executive (Sustainability) at the Malta Business Bureau.
Minister Miriam Dalli stated that “through the WE MAKE project, we have facilitated the green transition, by ensuring that our businesses have all the necessary tools and resources to ensure efficiency in energy and water. This project targeted research, investment and development, pillars that make a company much more resilient.”
The two-year WE MAKE project held 12 workshops split over a range of topics. These included industry best practices, academia-industry collaboration, and financing workshops to help businesses identify funding for their projects. Furthermore, 2 mentoring programmes were carried out to provide personalised support between larger and smaller companies. A study was also carried out for a second iteration of Malta’s EEPI based on signatory consultation. The project also resulted in energy audits and also further projects were won by applying to the EU LIFE programme as part of European consortia with over 30+ European partners.
The event featured presentations by various EU projects, including EnergyEfficiency4SME (in which both the MBB and EWA are partners), SMEmPower Efficiency, GEAR@SME, and also featured a presentation by Claudia Julius from Senercon (Germany) regarding the IMPAWATT energy platform. The IMPAWATT energy platform is being opened up for Maltese entities through EWA and the MBB’s participation in the EnergyEfficiency4SME project, through which the platform will also be developed to include financial measure identification for SME energy projects. The REEValue project, a recently awarded LIFE project due to start later this year led by EWA in which the MBB is also a partner, was also introduced.
Ing Charles Buttigieg stated “The international conference has been relevant as it facilitated enterprises gaining knowledge of new technologies currently available, especially some already being tried and tested nationally.”
The event also featured best practice presentations by various national and global leading entities. Kaeser (Germany) introduced advanced planning, monitoring, and equipment considerations in efficient air compression systems. Wienerberger (Austria) presented their performing strategy for carbon neutrality in manufacturing of construction materials across their global sites. Toly (Malta) introduced their advanced energy management systems coupled with energy initiatives across various thematics. Trelleborg (Malta) discussed their international energy goals and introduced the achievements in efficiency in Polymer Technology. Sammontana (Italy) presented their investments in water systems and water efficiency. Sustech (Malta) discussed water efficiency through measures including water cascades in planning, while Smart Cooling (Latvia) presented advanced technologies in climate control for business/industrial premises.
Closing the first day of events, Ing Ruben Cuschieri, Chairperson of Manufacturing Economic Group at The Malta Chamber, stated, “The project provided practical guidance on sustainability and fostered networking opportunities for local businesses. By tapping into the knowledge and expertise shared during the project’s events, I am certain that many have found inspiration to initiate the journey towards energy and water efficiency improvements.”
Joe Tanti thereafter stated that “The project highlighted the importance of sharing as a contributor to success. Maltese businesses shared best practices and mentored one another to grow the share of the industry pie, rather than fighting over slices of it. In this way, a win-win situation may be achieved. This is a winning strategy for manufacturing in Malta.”
APS, BOV and Malta Enterprise presented their various financial measures for business energy projects, and participated in a panel moderated by Geoffrey Saliba. Thereafter, EWA outlined their sustainability course.
Nick Xuereb, Deputy President of The Malta Chamber opened the second day of events by explaining that “Energy tariffs will continue to increase and companies need to be thinking of moving towards a net zero position, either through reducing their energy use through alternative sources of energy, or purchasing credits to balance their gaps. By 2050 as a country and as a continent, we need to reduce our emissions to net zero. In this respect, Malta needs to invest in long term thinking.”
The partners EWA, the MBB and The Malta Chamber thanked the c.a. 45 business representative attendees, as well as all stakeholders that participated in the project. The list is long, however notable appreciation goes to The Malta Chamber’s Manufacturing Economic Group, the University of Malta’s Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, MCAST, Malta Enterprise, BOV and APS. Following the WE MAKE project, the REEValue is set to be launched later this year, with a focus on the greening of supply chains and logistics.
The Water and Energy Management and Knowledge Transfer in Manufacturing Enterprises (We Make) project, is a collaboration between the Energy and Water Agency (EWA), Malta Business Bureau and the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, sponsored by the EWA, to give manufacturing industry businesses guidance on how to consume energy and water efficiently.
For more information please contact the MBB on: talden@mbb.org.mt
The Malta Business Bureau is the EU business advisory organisation of The Malta Chamber and The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association. It is also a partner of the Enterprise Europe Network.