News 6 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk April/May 2026 UK manufacturing faces significant pressure to comply with F-Gas legislation, a challenge exacerbated by widespread ageing cooling infrastructure, volatile market conditions, and the growing threat of extreme weather. This is according to Aggreko’s latest whitepaper, Temperature Check: What Does UK Industry Need to Compete?, which surveyed 334 manufacturing plant managers responsible for cooling processes at companies with a turnover of at least £50 million. The report reveals how legislative demands, coupled with critical operational vulnerabilities, are stalling necessary upgrades and impacting the sector’s resilience. The F-gas phasedown is entering a critical stage, with proposals for a high ambition reduction pathway that accelerates cuts well beyond the current 2030 target. Under consultation, the UK aims for a 98.6% reduction in HFC use by 2048 compared to 2015 levels, supporting its Net Zero commitment. While no new product bans or changes to leak-checking and recovery requirements are currently included, the accelerated timeline will significantly influence refrigerant availability, especially those of products with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) above 1000, making the transition to low-GWP alternatives essential for future installations. “Manufacturers are facing an extremely challenging set of circumstances,” says Chris Smith, head of temperature control at Aggreko UK and Ireland. “On one hand, they’re working with ageing cooling equipment that is increasingly prone to failure, but on the other they’re being asked to meet increasingly rigorous environmental legislation. It is crucial that this equipment is upgraded to meet these legislative requirements, and site managers need further support and information to implement these changes effectively. “We are acutely aware of these challenges and commissioned Temperate Check to further analyse an often-overlooked area of the production process. In this, the impact of F-gas legislation stood out as a major talking point. The F-gas timeline is entering a decisive phase in which sharper and faster reductions could be required, and site decisionmakers require greater clarity over equipment compliance if they are to transition in good order.” The report goes on to explore factors contributing towards this impact, with knowledge and understanding of the regulations, availability of alternative solutions and the cost of the new solutions cited as major barriers to meeting the F-gas timeline. These findings are part of wider mounting concerns about ensuring sustainable production, with 97% of those surveyed saying they are facing challenges in upgrading cooling equipment to meet stricter environmental regulations. Taking this into account, Aggreko is highlighting the importance of exploring alternative equipment procurement strategies to adhere to environmental legislation while improving operational efficiency and reducing unplanned downtime. For instance, the adoption of temporary cooling systems can allow manufacturers to trial different configurations of equipment without capital expenditure restrictions while also providing flexibility to respond to seasonal peaks in production demand. “The results of this survey demonstrate that UK manufacturing is clearly under pressure and cooling is a critical part of this,” Chris concludes. “Ageing equipment, higher operating temperatures and regulatory flux are converging to create a difficult situation that plant managers may not have the budget to adequately respond to. “This is why we’re encouraging manufacturers to engage with the supply chain as early as possible and implement strategies that could help alleviate these pressures. With the right support, businesses can access efficient, scalable cooling systems that meet today’s demands without hitting the balance sheet.” To download the report please visit: https://www.aggreko.com/engb/resources/temperature-check-report UK manufacturing struggling with F-Gas compliance amid ageing infrastructure, high replacement rates and volatile markets Chris Smith, head of temperature control at Aggreko UK and Ireland Record-breaking year celebrated at the 2026 Pump Industry Awards The winners of the 2026 Pump Industry Awards were revealed at a Gala Dinner and Presentation Ceremony held on the evening of 19th March at The Hilton Hotel, St George’s Park, Burton upon Trent. Now in its 26th year, the event once again brought together leading figures from across the pump sector to celebrate excellence, innovation, and achievement. This year’s awards saw a record number of entries, underlining the continued strength, diversity, and forward-thinking nature of the industry. From cutting-edge product development to sustainability initiatives and skills advancement, the breadth and quality of submissions demonstrated a sector firmly focused on meeting the challenges of the future. Opening the evening, the BPMA President, Lee Tebbatt praised the calibre of entries and the collaborative spirit of the industry: “The Pump Industry Awards continue to showcase the very best our sector has to offer. This year’s record-breaking participation is testament to the innovation, resilience, and talent that defines our industry. Every finalist and winner should be immensely proud of their achievements.” Among the evening’s standout honours, Product of the Year, sponsored by DFA Media Group, was awarded to Selwood for its SelTank, recognised for its innovation and practical impact. Simon Finlay, Solutions and Electrical Development Director at Selwood commented: “Winning the Product of the Year Award is a tremendous milestone for the SelTank project and its journey so far. It’s a welldeserved recognition for everyone at Selwood and across the Workdry Group who helped transform a simple sketch of an idea into an award-winning innovation. In the Environmental Contribution of the Year category, sponsored by SPP Pumps, ABB took top honours for its IE5 Synchronous Reluctance (SynRM) Motor Range, highlighting the growing importance of energy efficiency and sustainability. Metcor Pumps was named Distributor of the Year, jointly sponsored by Calpeda and Caprari, while John Crane received the ABB
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