What to consider for sustainable manufacturing
A guide to understanding what’s important to consider for sustainable manufacturing.
Technology is shifting sustainability efforts to success
It’s really an exciting time for our customers with sustainability goals, as digital technologies are making it possible for customers to leverage higher degrees of automation required to analyze sustainability reporting as it can become time consuming for customers. Therefore, it’s essential for our technologies to accommodate for the required competence and time demand required for our customers to reach their sustainability initiatives.
It can be overwhelming for any customer to know where to start, we understand this feeling. However, we can be there every step of the way.
One thing to remember is that customers just beginning should start to plan ahead of any legal deadlines and start with smaller pilot projects to test the impact and dial in the final process, reports, and sustainable accounting. Once our customers can see the positive results, we help them scale up their efforts for maximum sustainability.
If the environments customers are operating in are failing, their profitability also continues to fail, that’s where our value ensures that companies reach their long-term future profitability, and at the same time contributing to social and environmental sustainability. It’s all connected.
For us, it’s about turning big sustainability goals into measurable and tangible outcomes.
There are many examples of companies who are measuring the energy consumption in their operations down to production lines or on machine level, to identify where to focus their efforts. Through energy consumption dashboards it is possible to get a good understanding of the manufacturing operations. Sandvik Coromant’s Gimo factories are good examples.
Other examples include companies focusing more on sourcing and procurement side, how to work better with suppliers and carriers to reduce the emissions coming from material and from transportation.
Supply chain and sustainability
Supply chain and sustainability are practically synonymous and with data in the mix, it allows humans to make more informed decisions about sustainability efforts.
Connecting data has come a long way since Industry 3.0 to 4.0 and beyond.
Historically, companies have amassed large data sets but have not really connected the data to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) to know if they are truly reaching their sustainability goals. This is where technology plays a critical role.
Our aim is to assist customers in identifying the data they currently possess and how to measure this data, as well as understanding the reporting requirements. Then, together we help our customers analyze additional data sources that would enhance their sustainability process visibility.
One example can be found with our customer, Fårbo Mekaniska AB, and how they’ve been able to achieve success in sustainable manufacturing by reducing 5-10% machine energy consumption.
Showing technology is a partner in the process and people side of business to address value chain inefficiencies.
To really present an end-to-end cost and environmental reduction, we are exploring and evaluating which innovative features and software products each customer can benefit from in order to support their sustainable production.
Beyond analyzing data, a concrete example is developing tools that can optimize manufacturing processes and reduce energy consumption.
Making the shift to solve complex problems requires complex technology and creativity because every customer’s journey is unique. And that is what our mission is all about, making the shift toward a more sustainable future simple.
What is International Organization for Standardization (ISO)?
ISO is an independent, non-governmental international organization.
Essentially, the importance of the internationally recognized set of standards happens when everyone follows the same set of guidelines. The end result is a safer, more consistent, a must for global sustainability efforts.
ISO has identified the standards that make the most significant contribution for the environment.
Under ISO - 13000 - helps organizations become more environmentally responsible, meet legal requirements, and continually improve environmental performance.
This suite of standards, which includes one of ISO’s most widely used standards is ISO 14001: Environmental management system requirements with guidance for use, covers overall frameworks, audits, communications, labelling, life-cycle analysis, and methods to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Today there are more than 300,000 certifications to ISO 14001 in 171 countries around the world.
Our value is to simplify these standards with digital solutions that aid our customers to become in alignment and reduce their overall costs while reaching their sustainability goals.
When companies start to implement these standards, they not only help to reach their sustainability goals, they also can avoid fines and legal costs associated with non-compliance.
Sustainability through digital manufacturing
By looking at data, analytics, and reports provided by the solution providers the data and reports can include information about energy savings, reduced carbon emissions, and any other relevant eco-friendly metrics that the customers are seeking.
Customers can also consider independent third-party certifications, such as ISO certifications, and reviews to assess their sustainability efforts.
In the overall landscape, digital manufacturing stands as a key thread weaving together efficiency, innovation, and sustainability. The statistics speak volumes – a testament to the transformative power of technology reshaping an industry’s environmental impact.
Looking out to the horizon, one can’t help but marvel at the possibilities. The story of sustainability through digital manufacturing is not just a narrative or a marketing phrase; it is a roadmap for a future where industry and ecology coexist in harmony.
Examples of technologies working for sustainability.
- Additive Manufacturing enables very precise material usage, which reduces waste. It can also enable on-demand manufacturing to avoid transportation.
- Then, the Digital Twin technologies enable simulation and optimization of manufacturing processes. Eco-Design or Design for sustainability takes the whole product life cycle into consideration when designing a new product.
- AI and Machine Learning technologies also show promising developments to improve sustainable manufacturing, for example when it comes to process optimization and demand forecasting.
In developing sustainability solutions for our customers, we believe in collaborating and supporting our customers by developing technology that gathers data insights to help them measure and manage their sustainability efforts.
Regardless of company size, at the end of the day if you want your company to be competitive for the long haul, the focus should be both digital and sustainability.
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