The Role of Industrial Automation in Sustainable Manufacturing and Green Technology

In the past three decades, the significance of environmental concerns in industrial development has gained immense popularity. One important reason is that ecological changes’ direct impact on humans has started to become evident. This situation leads all stakeholders to take strict actions in all fields to prevent environmental degradation. In every type of industry, many efforts are being made to manufacture products in a way that does not adversely affect the environment and helps conserve natural resources. This concept is referred to as sustainable manufacturing and green technology.

Sustainable manufacturing, often referred to as green manufacturing, is gaining popularity in the industrial manufacturing sector. Natural calamities such as floods, wildfires, and storms caused by climate change, as well as the rising desire to minimize pollution, are all emphasizing makers to operate a “green” plant.

The EPA defines sustainable manufacturing as “the creation of manufactured products through economically sound processes that minimize negative environmental impacts while conserving energy and natural resources.” It also says it should improve safety for workers, community groups, and the product itself.

By leveraging automation in industrial applications, significant cost savings can be achieved while enhancing the reliability of the output. Automation effectively tackles tasks that are prone to errors, difficult for humans to handle without causing damage, and that humans may not necessarily prefer to undertake. Therefore, the importance of automation in the industrial sector lies in its ability to conserve natural resources, save money, and reduce time consumption.

In this article, we shall discuss the concept of sustainable manufacturing and green technology, their importance, and explore the role of industrial automation. We shall also examine the potential benefits of industrial automation in environmental sustainability and highlight some challenges and the future of automation in sustainable manufacturing and green technology.

Concept of Sustainable Manufacturing and Green Technology

Green technology refers to the creation and application of novel approaches, tools, and equipment to lessen the adverse impacts of human activities on natural resources and the environment. Green technology aims to employ science and technology to promote sustainable development and safeguard the earth’s natural resources for the next generations. It comprises a variety of behaviors, from renewable energy sources and energy-efficient goods to waste management and pollution control measures. There are various considerations for industries to adopt sustainability:

• It keeps the local ecosystem safe.
• It helps in the minimization of pollution and emissions.
• It diminishes raw material as well as many other resource wastes.
• It reduces water, energy, and other scarce resource usage.
• It improves employees’ safety overall.

Green technology’s ultimate objective is to lessen human activities’ adverse effects on the environment and nurture a healthier, more sustainable world.

Benefits of Sustainable Manufacturing and Green Technology

We can get the following benefits from sustainable manufacturing and green technology:

• Optimization in efficiency by decreasing expenses.
• Attraction of new consumers and strengthen a competitive edge.
• Enhancement of branding and softening the image of the company image, which causes the development of public trust.
• Development of long-term company viability and excellence.
• Help in the adaptation of regulatory limits and potential.
• Handle sustainability in a coherent, comprehensive, and formal way instead of interim, unstructured, and informal procedures
• Enable to focus on global competitiveness and profits rather than solely on pricing, risk management, and efficiency.
• Employment of creativity, planning, and core competence.
• Incorporate sustainability throughout business functions.
• Collaborate cooperatively with various stakeholders.
• Improve worker safety.
• Minimize the wastage of natural resources.

Industrial Automation and Sustainable Manufacturing

Industrial automation provides technologies to handle and monitor the industrial process. Sustainable manufacturing involves this consideration: supplying materials that are sustainable and can also be recycled, boosting operating efficiency and cutting waste in the manufacturing, having established carbon targets for transporters and closely collaborating with them, and providing consumers with replacement parts, repair, and disposal services. Companies may shift towards a circular economy approach and lessen their environmental effect by using these measures.

Contribution of Automation to Sustainable Practices

In 2022, one of the major trends in manufacturing output was sustainability. This trend towards more environmentally friendly enterprises is expanding. Formerly, businesses adjusted stakeholder requests, environmental issues, governmental rules, or direct financial gain. Now it is time to change. 

Clean Energy and Waste Minimization

Manufacturers may address their major sustainability problems and decrease their environmental effects by using sustainable procedures to minimize waste, water usage, and energy loads while utilizing renewable resources. Digital technology, particularly automation in manufacturing, may significantly contribute to meeting these sustainability targets. It enables improved energy monitoring and management, resulting in more efficient predictive maintenance and less material and water waste, eventually saving costs.

Modernizing Industries with Digital Solutions and Technology

While the quick rate of digital transformations has offered new potential for sustainable companies, challenges such as basic hygiene, carbon emissions, exploitation, and resource abuse have emerged. COVID-19 functioned as a test for manufacturing companies to embrace new technology and operate in new ways. Intelligent robot arm systems, cloud computing, predictive analytics, and machine learning have allowed numerous businesses to create digital customer models, automate decision-making, and offer usage-based insurance. Human-machine interfaces increase productivity and creativity, while smart technologies such as AI, IoT, blockchain, machine learning, and digital twin help decrease pollution, improve operations, and improve life for individuals.

Optimizing Production Processes Through Automation and Smart Technologies

Automation and autonomous production processes are the future of the industry. Modular and cell-based manufacturing methods and 3D printing, IoT, and automation may boost efficiency and reduce production and labor costs. Data from manufacturing cells may be evaluated to improve assembly line upkeep. Siemens anticipates transitioning away from conventional, planned-out methods and towards flexible, modular production based on intelligent transport and handling technologies that can be conceived, simulated, and performed in real time. Siemens already uses digital twins and AI-based technologies to automate control cabinet manufacturing. Therefore, factory automation may improve sustainability by streamlining production processes.

Automation’s Role in Achieving Sustainable Manufacturing Practices

 Automation plays an essential role in the work of sustainable manufacturing, which are the following:

• Avoiding damage to the local ecosystem.
• Decreasing the pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Eliminating waste of resources and raw materials.
• Improving usage of water, energy, and other finite resources.
• Improving the protection of employees and local communities.
• Improving process monitoring and control.

Tools of Industrial Automation in Sustainable Manufacturing

The following industrial automation tools and devices help promote sustainability:

• Robotics and Automation: They Increase productivity and energy efficiency in sustainable manufacturing.
• Smart Industries: Automation and data exchange are used in smart industries to boost efficiency and eliminate waste.
• Data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI): These are used to automate industrial processes and decrease waste.
• Cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT): These are for real-time monitoring and optimization to increase sustainability.

Industrial Automation and Green Technology

As discussed above, green technology is a broader term that covers different aspects related to utilizing eco-friendly materials, products, and manufacturing processes. Global warming has become a fact of life. It is a rising issue that is unsettling policymakers and society as a whole and jeopardizing both the environment and our health. One method of combating global warming involves employing known green technology. Industrial automation is vital in making all industrial products and processes environment-friendly.

How Industrial Automation Synergies Green Technology

Green technology and industrial automation have a strong relationship that helps the environment and companies. Companies may improve their manufacturing processes and reduce environmental effects by introducing automation. The following areas of green technology are getting advantages from industrial automation.

Emissions Control

There are many automation devices used to control carbon emissions. CEMS (Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems) is used for monitoring and measuring carbon emissions. Carbon capture systems are also used to capture industrial carbon. Automated combustion control is used to regulate the combustion process in industrial boilers and furnaces which helps in reduced emissions.

Energy-Saving Manufacturing Processes

Automatic systems may be utilized to improve industrial processes to minimize energy usage, resulting in energy savings.

Smart Grid Technologies are included in the process which is more efficient power transmission. Faster restoration of power following a power outage. Utility operations and administration expenditures are reduced, resulting in cheaper electricity bills for customers. Building Automation Systems (BAS) are used to manage the heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation systems in commercial buildings which also can lessen energy wastage. Automation can also help reduce energy consumption in industrial processes using sensors, monitoring, and real-time adjustments.

Minimizing Waste and Promoting Recycling

Waste materials may be sorted and recycled using automation, lowering the quantity of garbage that ends up in landfills. Excellent technology like smart containers controls food waste monitoring systems, and automated optical scan technology may aid in the separation of blending of plastics. Automated systems may also assist to recycle waste generated during industrial operations.

Sustainable Supply Chain Management

Supply chains may be tracked and managed using automated systems, ensuring that commodities are acquired from sustainable and environmentally favorable sources. This might involve monitoring suppliers’ environmental effects and ensuring they satisfy environmental regulations.

Green Logistics and Transportation

A commercial technique that decreases the environmental effect of transportation and distribution is considered green logistics. Sustainable logistics, often known as green logistics, provide a healthy bottom line neither compromising consumer happiness nor the environment’s well-being. The utilization of batteries instead of petrol in green tech like electric or hybrid vehicles is not only eco-friendly but is also extremely optimized and quick as compared to the traditional way.

Case Studies

Case studies of companies that have implemented sustainable manufacturing and green technology practices using industrial automation:

Unilever: This company declares that lowering its goods’ overall waste footprint per customer usage by 32% and reaching zero waste to disposal across all of its plants. 65% reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases from its production, and 100% sustainable grid power across all of its facilities.

Tesla: This firm also produces goods made of recyclable materials. The Tesla Powerwall is an excellent example. When this battery is depleted, it is recycled into fresh material for manufacturing. Tesla just expanded the capacity of its Powerwall for free, demonstrating its faith in the providence of renewable energy.

Schneider Electric: This electric company declares that its specialists, with experts worldwide, do sustainability efforts such as carbon reduction programmers, energy efficiency, sustainable energy, and supply chain activities, which can help its customers achieve net-zero and climate leaders.

Intel: Intel is committed to sustainability practices in various ways. It aims to achieve net positive water by using 100% renewable electricity across its global operations, reducing its absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 10% from the 2020 baseline, and sending zero waste to landfills. This shows that Intel is working towards minimizing its negative environmental impact by adopting eco-friendly practices.

Limitations Hindering the Adoption of Industrial Automation in Promoting Sustainability and Green Tech

There are several challenges in the adaptation of sustainable manufacturing and green technology.

• Sometimes a company must pay extra costs to adopt green technology. There High initial cost and investment required for implementing automation technology.
• Need for highly skilled personnel to operate and maintain automation systems.
• Many manufacturers have to face more barriers and regulatory standards which affect their efficiency.
• It is complicated in terms of technicality to integrate the automation systems with existing manufacturing processes and technologies.
• There are many manufacturers who have no awareness of sustainable manufacturing and green technology.
• There is insufficient research in this field that affects solutions to problems faced by manufacturers.
• Sometimes must face resistance to change and lack of understanding among employees.
• There can be a potential loss of jobs due to increased efficiency and productivity from automation.

Future of Industrial Automation in Sustainable Manufacturing and Green Technology

The demand for automation is increasing day by day. AI (artificial intelligence) is helping with the Automated Decision-Making process which is more accurate and efficient. Robots can work without stoppage. Chatbots are revolutionizing customer care by offering round-the-clock service. Advanced sensors ensure precise monitoring, while drones can access hard-to-reach areas. These automation advancements are expected to seamlessly integrate into manufacturing and production processes, facilitating precise control and optimal utilization of resources, energy, and materials. Industries now prioritize cost-consciousness, health and safety, risk management, and waste reduction. This trend forecasts a promising future for automation in sustainable manufacturing and green technology.

Conclusion

Industrial automation plays a significant role in achieving sustainable manufacturing and promoting green technology. The benefits of applying automation in industrial production processes include energy efficiency, waste reduction, and saving of natural resources. The contribution of automation in sustainable practice is waste minimization, providing digital solutions, and optimization of the production process. Automation in green technology helps in controlling emissions, recycling of materials, supply chain management, and transportation.  

Currently automation is facing many issues related to implementation and adaptation such as the high initial investment, complexity, and unawareness of new technologies. Despite these challenges, the future of industrial automation in sustainable manufacturing and green technology looks bright, with the potential to contribute to a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.

This entry was posted on July 18th, 2023 and is filed under Uncategorized. Both comments and pings are currently closed.