Company News
Capturing Water from Air – A Smart Sustainability Initiative
Crane Currency Malta
At Crane Currency’s state-of-the-art banknote printing facility in Ħal Far, Malta, innovation and sustainability go hand in hand. Crane has implemented a pioneering project that captures water directly from the air – turning a byproduct of the air conditioning system into a valuable resource for banknote production.
“Malta’s high humidity means our air handling units are constantly removing moisture from the air,” explains Paul Fenech, Engineering and Reliability Director at Crane Currency Malta. “One day we simply asked ourselves: why not use that water instead of letting it go to waste?”
That question sparked a project that now allows the plant to recover condensate from its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and use it to feed the wiping solution top-up system (WTG) – an integral part of the intaglio printing process. This clever solution reduces reliance on externally sourced water and supports Crane’s broader sustainability goals.
Turning Humidity into a Resource
In a country where freshwater is scarce and reverse osmosis plants are the main source of potable water, every drop counts. Malta’s chronic water challenges are well known – and so is the ingenuity required to overcome them.
“Water management has always been part of Malta’s story,” says Paul Fenech. “From the Knights of St John building aqueducts and underground cisterns centuries ago, to today’s engineers finding new ways to reuse water, the principle remains the same – make the most of what you have.”
The Crane system collects condensate from five air handling units operating around the clock. This water is then filtered and stored in buffer tanks before being pumped into the WTG wiping solution system, which maintains the precision and quality of Crane’s banknote printing operations.
“For much of the year, we’re self-sufficient in this part of the process,” Paul notes. “It’s a small but significant step toward water independence.”
Efficiency, Resilience, and Environmental Impact
The benefits of the initiative are both environmental and operational. By replacing water that would otherwise come from Malta’s energy-intensive reverse osmosis plants, Crane reduces its carbon footprint while improving cost efficiency. The project also boosts the site’s resilience during periods of water shortage and demonstrates a tangible commitment to sustainable manufacturing.
“Projects like this show how small, clever ideas can have a big cumulative impact,” says Paul. “It’s about seeing sustainability not as a constraint, but as an opportunity to innovate.”
The data supports that view: the recovered condensate supply exceeds WTG demand for most of the year, with only minor shortfalls in January and February. Future plans include expanding the system to serve additional areas of the plant – and sharing the lessons learned with other Crane Currency sites worldwide.
Continuing a Legacy of Resourcefulness
The condensate recovery initiative builds on Crane Currency Malta’s growing portfolio of sustainability projects, including its award-winning solar farm. Together, these efforts underline the company’s belief that innovation and environmental responsibility are inseparable.
“As engineers, we’re trained to look for efficiency,” says Paul Fenech. “But as a company, we also have a responsibility to think long term – to do what’s right for the environment, for our community, and for the generations ahead.”
About Crane Currency Malta
Crane Currency Malta employs around 400 people and produces high-security banknotes for central banks worldwide. The facility combines advanced manufacturing technology with a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence.
