In the latest episode of ‘Next stop: Green business’, we visit Grundfos – a company synonymous with water solutions, yet often operating behind the scenes. In a world where climate change manifests as both too much and too little water, Grundfos is making the case that water – and the energy we use to move it – is central to sustainable progress.

Why water matters – and why pumps are part of the solution

Recorded on-site at Grundfos’ sales and service centre just outside Copenhagen, the episode explores how pumps are more than just technical infrastructure – they are essential tools for climate resilience.

“We need to decarbonise every drop of water. That means providing water services to a growing population, in a world impacted by climate change – and doing it low carbon.” says Louise Koch, Group Head of Sustainability at Grundfos. 

Pumps are hidden in basements and embedded in systems most of us never notice. But these “hidden heroes,” as Koch calls them, are everywhere – from water utilities to industrial plants and private homes. As Grundfos expands its reach, so too do its emissions – with 99% of them coming from the use phase of its products. The challenge, then, is to decouple growth from emissions.

One way Grundfos is tackling this is by improving the energy efficiency of its pumps and encouraging customers to upgrade older models. Another approach is designing for reuse. The company has launched takeback and repair schemes to give used pumps a second life, though uptake has been gradual.

“It’s really uphill,” admits Koch. “But we’ve seen the same in the tech sector. People hang on to devices. And with pumps, they’re often part of bigger systems, so we need to intersect existing streams and raise awareness.”

Beyond individual pumps, Grundfos is thinking in systems – embedding water considerations across its entire value chain. From flood risks to water scarcity, the company’s updated water strategy addresses both operational impacts and supply chain vulnerabilities.

Their 2050 net-zero target, validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative, is not the end goal but a starting line – and Koch is clear that no company can get there alone.

“Sustainability is a moving target(…) It’s a team sport. I’m doing my best to orchestrate the process — removing barriers, ensuring people understand the mission, securing the right resources, and solving the challenges that arise along the way.” Louise Koch, Group Head of Sustainability at Grundfos.

What started in a basement 80 years ago with a single pump is now a global effort to futureproof how we move and manage water. In Grundfos’ case, pioneering solutions mean going beyond product innovation – it means rethinking the role of water in the green economy.

About the podcast: Next stop: Green business

‘Next stop: Green business’ is part of State of Green’s podcast universe. Each episode offers a short, on-site journey into how Danish companies are navigating the green transition, turning green value chains into a competitive advantage.

Hosted by Maria Lind Arlaud, the podcast seeks to capture authentic voices and real-time conversations through a recurring set of questions – making space for both reflection and actionable insights.

Besides Grundfos, the series has so far included visits to companies such as ROCKWOOL and Danfoss, while NKT, PensionDanmark, Hempel, FLS, Schneider Electric and VELUX are next in line. All of them share how they are aligning business goals with climate ambitions, even when the path forward is complex.

New episodes are released throughout 2025 and are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and stateofgreen.com.