How Compressors International Ltd Turned Energy Waste into Competitive Advantage in Ukraine

Ukrainian Engineering Expertise Featured in the International Ingersoll Rand Digest

A project by Compressors International was featured in the September issue of the official international Ingersoll Rand newsletter as one of the showcase success stories in the EMEIA region (Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India). The publication brings together the expertise of the group’s leading global brands — Ingersoll Rand, Gardner Denver, CompAir, Champion, and Friulair.

The Challenge: Supporting Industrial Growth While Reducing Energy Consumption

As part of a major factory modernisation programme, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of ceramic tiles and sanitary ware, needed to upgrade the compressed air infrastructure serving its ceramic and plumbing production facilities. The customer required a future-proof compressed air installation capable of supporting production expansion while maintaining high air quality standards.

Key Challenges Identified:

· Significant fluctuations in compressed air demand

· Need for additional capacity to support future expansion

· Requirement for ISO-compliant air quality

· Rising energy costs impacting operational expenses

· Desire to recover and reuse waste energy generated by the compressor system

· Requirement for a manufacturer-supported solution backed by a local service network

The Solution: Integrated Heat Recovery Compressor Station

The distributor engineered a 100% liquid-cooled compressed air ecosystem designed to maximise both compressed air efficiency and thermal energy recovery. Heat recovery system converts process heat into hot water at 65–85°C for direct use in ceramic production, eliminating the need for compressor room ventilation and recovering up to 400 kW of thermal energy.

The solution included:

· 3 x Gardner Denver ESM132 water-cooled fixed-speed compressors

· 2 x Gardner Denver VS132 water-cooled variable-speed compressors

· Refrigeration dryers

· Condensate management equipment

· Air treatment systems

· Complete engineering design, installation, commissioning and automation

The Results: Transforming Waste Heat into Value

For the end customer:

· Approximately 150,000 m³ reduction in natural gas consumption per year,

· Around 300 tonnes of $$CO_2$$ emissions avoided annually,

· Reduced operating costs through energy recovery of up to 400 kW of thermal energy, replacing costly natural gas consumption,

· Improved system flexibility and reliability,

· Additional capacity to support future production growth,

· Enhanced energy efficiency across the facility.

For the distributor:

· Reinforced its position as a trusted engineering partner through engineering value,

· Demonstrated expertise in delivering large-scale turnkey projects,

· Showcased advanced heat recovery and energy optimisation capabilities,

Why This Matters for Channel Partners

This project demonstrates how you can create substantial customer value by moving beyond equipment replacement and focusing on complete system optimisation.

· Position compressed air as a strategic energy-management asset

· Create compelling sustainability business cases

· Unlock significant customer savings through heat recovery

· Differentiate through engineering expertise and turnkey project delivery

· Build long-term service and support opportunities

Above all, it shows how your expertise in audit, design, installation and optimisation can deliver measurable business outcomes for industrial customers.

A Model Worth Replicating

With more than 25 years of experience, over 5,000 completed projects and one of the largest service networks in Ukraine, Compressors International Ltd continues to help customers improve performance, efficiency and sustainability.

Modern compressed air technologies, combined with intelligent heat recovery, can transform a utility system into a source of competitive advantage.

For distributors looking to grow through value-added engineering services, this project sends a clear message: energy efficiency is not just a technical upgrade, it is a strategic business opportunity.

25 September, 2026