Rotork’s recent graduates and apprentices alongside Kiet Huynh, CEO of Rotork.
Valve World had the opportunity to interview Kiet Huynh, CEO of Rotork, who shares how the market-leading, global flow control solutions provider is driving sustainability through electrification, fostering innovation and creating pathways for diverse talent.
By Melonie Dodaro
Industry faces unprecedented pressure to reduce environmental impact while increasing efficiency. Rotork, a global leader in intelligent flow control, is transforming how major industries achieve these goals. “Our purpose is keeping the world flowing for future generations,” explains Kiet Huynh, CEO of Rotork since January 2022. “It encompasses both sustainability and leaving behind a legacy for the future of our people, Rotork, and the world we live in”. Underpinning Rotork’s Growth+ strategy, is a commitment to making environmental responsibility central to every operation. With around 3,500 employees in 30 countries, the company uses its global reach and technical expertise to improve industrial environmental performance.
Launched in 2022, the Growth+ strategy represents a significant shift in Rotork’s direction. The company’s strong presence across water, power, oil and gas, chemicals and process automation industries make it vital to sustainable operations. Their expertise in explosion-proof actuators and related technologies helps industries meet environmental targets while ensuring safety standards.
“A key element of our growth strategy is built on helping our customers reduce their energy consumption and emissions,” Huynh explains.
“By doing so, we’re not just growing our business – we’re enabling a sustainable future.” When customers reduce their Scope 1 and 2 emissions through the use of Rotork’s technology, it supports Rotork’s Scope 3 emission reduction commitments.
Electrifying the energy transition
One of Rotork’s most significant environmental initiatives, targets upstream and midstream oil and gas operations. “One of the easiest ways to reduce methane emissions in oil and gas production is to switch from gas-powered pneumatic to electric actuation, completely eliminating methane venting to atmosphere,” Huynh explains.
Traditional pneumatic systems in upstream and midstream applications release methane directly into the atmosphere during normal operation when using process gas to power them. Rotork’s electric actuators eliminate these emissions, helping end users meet their methane reduction targets. As well as environmental gains, users of Rotork’s electric solutions report improved operational efficiency and reduced maintenance needs. The shift to electric systems can deliver more precise control, improved monitoring and reduced energy consumption across operations.
Rotork’s work in alternative energy markets shows the full scope of their technical capabilities, from helping traditional energy producers cut emissions to supporting new clean energy technologies. This dual approach meets both immediate emission reduction needs and longer-term sustainability targets.
In LNG operations, Rotork’s expertise spans the complete value chain. Their emergency shutdown systems enable fail-safe valve operation in liquefaction and transportation processes, where reliability directly impacts safety and production. At regasification facilities, Rotork’s electric actuators ensure precise control and monitoring. This comprehensive knowledge of both technical specifications and safety requirements has made Rotork an important partner to major LNG operators worldwide.
Carbon capture presents another significant growth sector. “Carbon capture spans all industries from oil and gas to power generation, cement and steel processing,” Huynh explains. “We’re working with major players across all these sectors to enable carbon capture and storage solutions.” Rotork adapts its core technologies for these new applications, supporting industries in their transition to lower emission operations. Beyond conventional energy markets, Rotork provides vital technology for offshore wind installations that could be 100-150km from shore. “In these offshore wind farms, they’re producing AC electricity which needs to be converted to DC for efficient long-distance transmission,” Huynh notes. “This conversion process generates significant heat, requiring cooling systems. Our IQ products, known for their robustness, can include battery backup systems to ensure safe operation even if power fails.”
Advancing digital transformation through integrated solutions
Rotork’s newest innovation brings digital connectivity to explosion-proof products.
“We’re the first in the industry to offer true plug-and-play capability in explosion-proof products without compromising safety through our Integrated Ethernet,” Huynh states. This breakthrough gives customers access to real-time data and predictive maintenance tools while protecting their explosion-proof systems.
The solution revolutionises explosion-proof valve control: operators can install it without compromising safety certification, connect directly to existing control systems and monitor valve performance in real time. It works seamlessly with Rotork’s Intelligent Asset Management (iAM) system to track, maintain and optimise the performance of the customer’s assets.
“Real-time monitoring lets customers see exactly how their actuators and valves are performing,” Huynh explains. “The system through iAM can generate detailed health reports, eliminating physical inspections and improving maintenance efficiency. This technology prevents unplanned shutdowns while maintaining the highest safety standards in hazardous environments.” The benefits reach every sector Rotork serves. Water treatment plants can now optimise their processes and use less energy. Chemical processing facilities prevent shutdowns through early problem detection. Power stations manage their assets more efficiently, improving overall plant performance.
Enabling a sustainable future
Rotork has clear targets for environmental improvement: net zero emissions for Scope 1 and 2 by 2035, and Scope 3 by 2045.
The company pursues these goals through driving operational efficiency, sourcing renewable energy, engaging with its suppliers and product sustainability. Solar panels power several Rotork facilities worldwide, with their new China facility achieving high standards for sustainable design. This site earned LEED Gold certification for its advanced building practices and energy systems. The company’s lean manufacturing methods reduce production energy needs while improving efficiency and product quality.
Rotork’s manufacturing sites showcase practical environmental innovation. In India, our facilities in Chennai and Bangalore have installed Ground Penetration Rainwater Harvesting Systems which collect water from periods of significant rainfall, improving water availability for the local area. “We’re harvesting it for the local community, feeding it back into the water table to benefit everyone,” Huynh notes.
The product sustainability team considers environmental impact at every stage of product development. Their work includes:
- Analysing material choices for environmental impact
- Developing more energy-efficient actuator designs
- Improving manufacturing processes to reduce waste
- Creating products that are easier to maintain and repair
- Planning for end-of-life recycling and material recovery
Cultivating global talent through diversity and inclusion
Rotork’s vision of sustainability extends well beyond environmental measures to focus on people. Huynh, who arrived in the UK as a refugee from Vietnam in 1984, brings unique insight to the company’s diversity initiatives. “As a refugee who became CEO, I speak from personal experience when I say diversity and inclusion is about creating access – how do you promote and cultivate talent from all areas of life?”
His journey from refugee to industry leader shapes Rotork’s approach to talent development. Rather than treating diversity as a numbers exercise, Rotork focuses on creating genuine opportunities for growth. International experience stands at the heart of this philosophy. “You can’t effectively run a global company if you’ve only ever worked in one country,” Huynh explains. “You just won’t get it. That’s why our development programmes emphasise international experience.”
The company’s graduate scheme exemplifies this approach. Participants complete at least one international placement and work across different business functions. This builds both technical expertise and cultural understanding – essential skills for future leaders in a global business. The programme’s success shows in its numbers, with 90% diverse candidates in recent intakes.
“I am a product of a graduate recruitment programme,” Huynh notes. “One company gave me an opportunity to help build my skills and grow my career. We’re creating similar opportunities here at Rotork, where we take in graduates or apprentices and provide clear pathways for them to go as high as they want to go or can go.” Multiple entry paths ensure talent can join Rotork at any career stage: for example, apprenticeships in operations and service, graduate schemes, internships, MBA placements and university partnerships, including their collaboration with the University of Bath. Leadership development is also a key focus at Rotork spanning every level, from shop floor to executive suite.
Mental health receives equal priority, with around 100 trained mental health first aiders across the organisation.
This initiative, alongside other support programmes, creates a workplace where employees feel valued and supported in their professional growth.
This comprehensive approach to talent development reflects Huynh’s belief that successful companies must invest in their people as much as their technology. Under his leadership, Rotork has strengthened its focus on career development pathways, ensuring employees at all levels can see and pursue opportunities for advancement.
Helping to shape the future of sustainable industry
“I believe the industrial revolution is continuing to accelerate,” Huynh says, discussing the rapid changes in global industry. “The next decade will bring technical achievements we can barely imagine today, and most of them will need precise flow control.”
His confidence comes from Rotork’s growing involvement in emerging technologies.
AI data centres, for example, require sophisticated cooling systems that use up to 40% of their total energy. Rotork’s precision controls help these facilities reduce energy use while maintaining critical temperatures. In aerospace, new hydrogen-powered aircraft designs need ultra-reliable flow control systems that can handle extreme conditions. “The questions we’re getting from clients today would have seemed like science fiction a few years ago,” Huynh notes.
“We’re being asked to develop solutions for floating wind farms, deep-sea carbon storage and hydrogen-powered ships. These projects push us to innovate in ways we never expected.”
At the University of Bath, students apply sustainable engineering principles to real-world challenges. The Team Bath Racing Electric (TBRe) engineering team build electric race cars with Rotork’s support, gaining hands-on experience with electric vehicle technology. “These partnerships matter because they connect theory with practice,” Huynh explains. “We’re investing in the next generation of engineers who will shape our future.”
Looking ahead, Huynh sees Rotork’s role expanding beyond traditional flow control. “Every major challenge this century – from climate change to water scarcity – requires precise control of fluids and gases. We’re not just making components anymore; we’re helping build the infrastructure of tomorrow.”
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