Exploring sustainable manufacturing

On 4 December 2025, 32 students from the Class of 2026 under the 311 Programme visited the Grundfos Changshu Plant, a global leader in pump manufacturing, for an in-depth exploration of green manufacturing and digital transformation practices.

The visit provided students with a profound understanding of sustainable modern manufacturing through exposure to the plant's advanced approaches in low-carbon design, flexible production, and intelligent systems. During the tour of assembly, testing, painting, and packaging zones, they observed state-of-the-art equipment including the impeller machining centre, sand mould 3D printers, and a 4-metre-deep testing pool. To further contextualise pump technology and smart manufacturing, Grundfos representatives highlighted the company's solutions for smart cities, new energy systems, and green buildings, and showcased the intelligent data systems deployed at the plant. The experience also equipped students with relevant career-readiness perspectives, effectively connecting theoretical learning with industrial application and supporting their ongoing academic and professional development.

Li Xuangui, a Mechanical Engineering student, reflected: "This visit reshaped my perspective on modern manufacturing. I had previously viewed the pump industry as focused on standardised mass production, but Grundfos demonstrated a transformative shift by integrating 3D printing with traditional casting, moving from 'large-scale manufacturing' to 'on-demand intelligent production'. Their commitment to low-carbon design, optimising structures to reduce material use, and employing intelligent systems left a strong impression. This experience showed me that true innovation in manufacturing is not just about technology, but about advancing toward a greener, more efficient, and sustainable future."