World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development

Celebrating the vital role of engineering in sustainable development, UNESCO World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development (4 March) highlights the vital role that engineering and innovation play in sustainable development.

Here, we celebrate some of the achievements made by Atlantic Pumps’ engineering team as they apply their skills to solve challenges in wastewater treatment, abrasive fluid pumping, and environmentally responsible water management in quarrying, recycling, renewable energy, mineral mining, and construction.

Redefining Abrasive Fluid Management

Founded in 2012 by Brad Dormer and Andy Smith, Atlantic Pumps set out to reduce pump energy consumption by an average of 20% across every industrial site it serves. The company’s simple and effective solutions for challenging pump applications drove rapid growth from its roots in Sheffield, making it a key player in the UK’s industrial landscape. Now operating from a bespoke pump manufacturing and servicing facility in Derbyshire, the company specialises in the design, installation, and maintenance of pumping solutions for the toughest environments.

At the heart of Atlantic Pumps’ mission is a commitment to “moving what really matters.” This applies not only to the abrasive slurries and sludges their equipment handles but also to the core values of speed, simplicity, and sustainability. By focusing on industries such as mineral extraction and renewable biogas – sectors critical to the UK’s infrastructure and green energy transition – Atlantic Pumps ensures that essential operations remain productive while minimising their environmental footprint.

Innovation Cements Atlantic Pumps in Sustainable Construction

EnviroHub is a flagship innovation of Atlantic Pumps. The patented wastewater treatment technology includes specialised units that clean and neutralise cementitious water, typically arising from new builds, demolition work, and concrete repair. Recycling site water for reuse reduces water demand in construction projects and cement manufacturing. The system can also enable safe, compliant discharge of surplus site water, protecting aquatic environments from over-abstraction and harmful discharges.

Pump Training Academy

Keen to share the best engineering practices in pump systems, Atlantic Pumps run a series of live webinars, training videos, articles, and in-person demonstrations to train both young engineers and process managers in the intricacies of pump selection, commissioning and servicing.

The company actively partners with educational institutions, including the University of Sheffield’s AMRC and the University of Derby, to provide hands-on experience for the next generation of pump and hydraulic engineers.

Renewable Energy-from-Waste, Sustainable Lithium Production, and Hydro-Storage

Pumps are a primary part of the mechanics involved in effluent treatment, anaerobic digestion, biogas production, lithium refining, and hydro-storage of energy.

By optimising pumps for these markets, Atlantic Pumps reduces the parasitic load – the amount of energy that is required to run a renewable energy or energy-recovery operation.

Wear-resistant pumps maintain their energy efficiency ratings much longer than fast-wearing ones. As most pumps require tight tolerances between moving parts, leading-edge wear exponentially reduces energy efficiency.

“Pumps are the beating heart of many industrial processes, and we are passionate about engineering pump systems that deliver energy savings, long-lasting wear parts and high-performance in some of the most challenging pumping applications.” Andy Smith, Atlantic Pumps Managing Director.

Get in touch

If pumps are a part of what you do, check out our training courses and resources, or contact us for duty-specific pumping advice.