The European umbrella association for plastics and rubber machinery manufacturers, Euromap, is planning to introduce an energy label for plastics and rubber machinery. An important European industry - the sector comprises some 3,700 companies with 100,000 employees  - energy efficiency has in recent years become a major theme.

This has to some extent been fueled by this industry's growing awareness of the need to cut carbon emissions and to improve its sustainability performance. These days, customers are looking to do business with companies they see as contributing to an energy sustainability solution, not contributing to the problem.

However, other considerations also play a role. As the cost and variability of energy in Europe continues to rise, companies throughout the industry are seeking ways to cut their energy costs and improve their competitiveness in the global market. At an increasing number of companies, therefore, energy management is becoming a strategic choice.

The growing importance of energy efficiency in the industry is also reflected in the activities of Euromap. The association has previously published energy measurement standards for injection molding and extrusion blowmolding machines. But up until now, machinery manufacturers have used labels of their own design to identify the energy efficiency classes to which their machines belonged. A more transparent system was needed, to enable customers to make comparisons. As a first step, Euromap has therefore developed a common, neutral label, the specifications for which may be found in a new Euromap recommendation.

One weakness of the new system is the fact that, unlike the EU energy label (e.g. for refrigerators), use of the Euromap label is voluntary. Also, no third-party certification is required in order to display it.

The precise description of the new energy label can be downloaded from the Euromap site. The download is a draft providing advance information to the public.

The label is to come into force on October 1, 2014.