A future in Green Manufacturing?

The manufacturing industry is an extremely valuable one, but it’s also one of the leading industries in energy consumption, meaning that a large portion of the planet’s pollution and carbon footprint can be directly attributed to this field of work. In fact, one third of America’s total energy consumption is related to the industrial sector alone, so it’s not hard to gauge the overall impact that this crucial industry is having on the world at large.

Going green is not a new concept, but it is one that remains relatively new to the industrial sector simply because manufacturing is so reliant on highly technical equipment that requires a lot of power to run. However, if we have any hope of reducing our impact on the planet and improving the efficiency of the way we do business, then we need to look to this sector and start making some serious changes for a brighter future.

With the future of the manufacturing industry heading in a greener direction, more and more businesses operating within this industry should be considering making some key changes to their processes and work patterns in order to reduce their carbon footprint and make manufacturing a greener industry.

Assess and Monitor

The first thing to do when it comes to your manufacturing business is to make sure that you know exactly what’s going on. You may not understand just how much energy you’re using at the moment, but by finding out the particulars you can begin to develop a practical and applicable action plan. Look into your levels of energy consumption and where they’re coming from, and start planning for ways to make reductions. Not only will this save you money, but it was also enable you to manufacture more efficiently and make better use of the energy you’re currently using.

Control the Heating and Cooling

Properly maintaining the temperature for manufacturing can lead to large levels of energy consumptions. Around 30% of overall energy consumption can be attributed to heating and cooling machinery and so on, so you can cut some big costs with some smart business decisions. For example, you might consider investing in equipment like thermal fluid heaters from companies like ERG. Equipment such as this has been developed to be efficient and effective but with a lower carbon footprint, and would be ideal for use in the manufacturing industry.

Research

Shopping around is always a good idea, and the advice to not go with the first good deal is a solid one. It’s recommended that you thoroughly research your options when looking for alternative ways to use energy, new equipment, lighting and more. In fact, any change that you make will need to be carefully considered and thoroughly assessed.

Look into the different options available and choose the ones that are best suited to your line of industry, and remember that it’s important not to skip out when it comes to quality.

Invest in Second Hand

While it’s tempting to invest in new machinery for manufacturing, this isn’t always necessary. Investing in second-hand equipment and machines where practical can be an effective way to save money and cut down on consumption. Used machines are regularly serviced and will work just as well as a new product, and is a greener way to operate than buying brand new machines.

While the manufacturing industry has a long way to go before being truly green, there are plenty of ways for businesses to get the ball rolling. The tide is changing and green business is fast becoming the norm, and with the manufacturing industry consuming more energy than any other, it’s time for things to change for the better.

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