Time to Upgrade a 40 year old New Mixer

Orbit recently assisted Shieldcoat, a Queensland-based paint manufacturer apply? for ?a $43,000 grant from the Queensland Government’s Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Grant (MEEG) Program. The grant if successful will enable Shieldcoat to replace a 40-year-old high-speed mixer with a modern, energy-efficient model, aligning with Shieldcoat’ s broader sustainability goals to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.

?Shieldcoat’s outdated mixer uses approximately 18.5 kW per hour, with a total annual energy usage of around 37,000 kwh . Recognizing the energy inefficiency and high operational costs associated with this machine, Shieldcoat sought Orbit’s assistance to navigate the MEEG application process and secure funding for a more sustainable solution. The new mixer, equipped with a variable frequency drive, not only offers improved control and efficiency but also operates at a reduced energy consumption rate of 12.95 kW per hour. This shift is expected to yield annual savings of approximately 11,000 kWh, equating to a cost reduction of $3,410 at Shieldcoat’s current electricity rates.

?Orbit’s role extended beyond simply applying for the grant. Our approach integrated Shieldcoat’s energy-saving goals with practical solutions to achieve substantial cost reductions and carbon footprint improvements. By conducting a thorough energy assessment, Orbit demonstrated to the Queensland Government how the new mixer would contribute to Shieldcoat's’ s sustainability objectives, such as reducing operational energy use by over 10% and advancing its alignment with the state’s net-zero emissions target for 2050.

The grant also covered a substantial portion of the project costs, with the remaining balance funded internally by Shieldcoat. In total, the replacement project was valued at approximately $58,470, of which 75% was subsidized through the MEEG, significantly easing the financial burden of this essential upgrade.

Orbit’s involvement underscores our commitment to helping businesses embrace energy-efficient practices through strategic planning, access to funding, and tailored implementation support. This project’s success highlights how well-planned upgrades in industrial equipment can deliver tangible financial savings, energy efficiency, and environmental benefits, setting a precedent for other manufacturers to consider similar upgrades