Environmentally smart production focuses on maximizing efficiency in resource usage, minimizing environmental impact, and ensuring that only essential goods and services are produced. It involves optimizing resource sharing in the manufacturing chain and enabling users to share resources in ways that were previously impossible before the digital revolution.
A significant portion of materials used in production never actually make it into final products. By reducing product demand, minimizing material waste, and incorporating recycled components and materials, companies can lower raw material extraction and reduce emissions into the air, water, and soil. Similarly, intelligent energy management and the adoption of renewable and recycled energy sources allow companies to decrease reliance on fossil fuels and other environmentally harmful energy sources. Smart production systems integrate real-time optimization, dynamic control over the supply of goods and services, and innovative business and environmental impact models to achieve sustainability.
To optimize energy and material usage at each stage of production, it is essential to have a structured model of the system. Smart production is often viewed at different levels, including process level, factory level, technosphere, and ecosphere. Each level plays a role in refining efficiency and ensuring minimal environmental impact.
Measuring progress in environmentally smart production requires the implementation of relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that align with a company’s sustainability maturity level. Various indices can be used to track environmental performance, allowing businesses to assess their impact and adjust strategies accordingly.
A key principle in environmentally smart production is the transition from a linear economy to a circular economy. In a circular economy, materials and energy are continuously recycled and reused, minimizing waste and environmental degradation. This contrasts with the traditional linear economy, where resources are extracted, used to manufacture products, and eventually discarded. The linear model assumes an infinite supply of natural resources, which is unsustainable in the long run.
Transitioning to an environmentally smart production system requires a fundamental shift in mindset, the integration of innovative technologies, and strategic optimization at every stage of production. By embracing circular economy principles, reducing waste, and leveraging sustainable energy sources, companies can drive efficiency while preserving the environment for future generations.
