Sustainable manufacturing is better for the environment and makes financial sense.
Companies already investing in
this opportunity
investment opportunities in sustainable manufacturing to 2030.
Sustainable manufacturing minimises negative environmental impacts while conserving energy and natural resources. Indeed, sustainable manufacturing considerations are moving up the agenda thanks to increasing scrutiny to report on supply chains and direct environmental impacts.
We take sustainable manufacturing to include materials sustainability, sustainable construction, high-performance materials, functional coatings and sustainable chemical production. Innovations in sustainable manufacturing are influencing manufacturing methods, materials and processes at companies across the globe. From energy, automotive sectors and aerospace engineering, to chemicals, transportation and logistics, firms are innovating to reduce their impacts and make their products and services more attractive to both B2B and B2C customers.
Increasing pressure on companies to report on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and heightened emphasis on supply chains are driving the impetus for more sustainable manufacturing.
The US think tank The Rocky Mountain Institute reports that the average company’s supply chain greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are 5.5 times higher than the direct emissions from its own assets and operations.
Projected annual growth rate in global bioplastics market to 2027
The value of the sustainable construction market size by 2030
Use cases
Innovations in sustainable manufacturing are impacting everything from processes and materials to measurement. Indeed, the global bioplastics market alone is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.9% to $25.27 billion in 2027. Innovations in sensors and 5G are improving the speed and accuracy of emissions measurement and monitoring, allowing firms the chance to track the effectiveness of their innovations benchmark on a more continual basis.
More accurate impact measurement is helping companies assess the suitability of different new materials and processes. Precision measurement, for example, improves yield and reduces waste. It is also supporting discoveries in renewable chemicals production from bio-derived materials such as bio-derived feedstock including biomass (such as cellulose) and polyols (such as polyester).
Innovations are happening across sectors and B2B and B2C companies. From consumer-facing brands such as Reebok, which is innovating in sustainability practices, to Airbus, which is investing in lightweight and recyclable NiO-composites, biomass carbon fibres, and bio-resins.
