Manufacturing is a broad sector, and as such, implementing more sustainable manufacturing processes can cover a broad range of activities, including energy efficiency upgrades, shifting to renewable energy, manufacturing clean technology products, using renewable (non-depleting) materials, applying green chemistry practices, reducing waste, implementing efficient water use, and recycling.
Improving manufacturing through these efforts can result in a reduction in costs, an increase in operational efficiency, and improved brand reputation and customer relations. Given that many countries are increasingly regulating energy efficiency and renewable energy use, implementing more sustainable manufacturing processes allows companies to stay ahead of regulatory constraints.
Recently there has been a big effort to promote the concept of a “circular economy” to ensure there are enough natural resources for the current and future population. Greening the manufacturing process has a key role to play in making a shift to a circular economy. For businesses, this means ensuring the value of products and materials are maintained for as long as possible by examining the entire life-cycle of a product.