Energy conservation is just one of many important aspects of a working sustainability model for manufacturing. The Manufacturing industry has come a long way, especially in the 4th industrial revolution era. By making some simple changes, manufacturers can make a big difference in sustainability.
For decades, manufacturers in all industries have placed an emphasis on energy conservation to not only cut down on overhead costs but also to bolster profits. As part of an operational improvement and efficiency strategy, businesses are always looking for ways to lower their energy costs. In recent years, however, with the shift towards sustainable practices, energy conservation has become just one component of a much larger sustainability strategy for manufacturing.
Investing in energy-efficient machinery: Energy-efficient machinery is essential for any factory production system that relies on alternative energy sources. This type of machinery helps to complement manufacturers using alternative energy sources so they can make the move to 100% alternative energy operations.
Factory energy management systems (FEMS): This is a method of introducing energy conservation systems into existing production systems. FEMS relates to “smart manufacturing” processes in which every step in the production process is tracked to produce the most efficient energy use. Today, manufacturers can use FEMS powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor most and least optimal energy management. Thanks to FEMS, manufacturers can use AI to fine-tune their production processes for energy efficiency, resulting in significant savings.
Designing facilities for sustainability: There are several things that businesses can do to improve their environmental sustainability, including reducing transportation costs by locating factories near materials and resources and improving logistics. Additionally, design factors like using natural lighting and transitioning to more efficient or “smart factories” can help reduce energy consumption in production operations.
Using recyclable materials: Using recycled materials in the manufacturing process reduces the amount of non-biodegradable materials in the environment. This is why companies in the food and beverage and consumer goods sector are making the switch to using recycled materials for their products and packaging. By using recycled materials, these companies are doing their part to help preserve the environment for future generations.
Improving reliance on additive manufacturing (AM): By using additive manufacturing (AM) in conjunction with AI-driven generative design, manufacturers are able to create parts that are specifically designed to be made with AM. These types of parts require less material, produce less waste, and can be faster and more cost-efficient to produce than traditional parts. In addition, they are often lighter and can be made from recyclable materials.
Contributing to a circular economy: More and more manufacturers are making the switch from a “take, make, and throw away” mentality to a circular economy instead. In this type of economy, waste is seen as a valuable resource instead of something to be disposed of. As a result, companies are looking into ways to make their products last longer and be more efficient. This includes using materials that can be recycled or reused at the end of a product’s life, as well as taking into consideration the environmental impact of their products during the design process.
Conclusion
Sustainability strategies are becoming more and more common for manufacturing companies as part of their business model. This is because not only does it make them appear to be good corporate citizens, but it’s also beneficial for their customers, business, and profit margins. The digital transformation that a lot of businesses are going through is also aiding in the implementation of sustainability strategies and practices.
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