Energy management is key to sustainability

Airlines, airplane and aero-engine manufacturers, machine tool builders, cutting tool vendors, and other contributors to the aerospace supply chain are seeking to implement environmentally sustainable business practices. More companies are committing to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) members goal of net-zero carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from aviation by 2050. Many companies have put the goal into their corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance criteria.

According to a recent survey by global technology research firm Omdia, 30% of manufacturers describe themselves as having implemented an environmental strategy with a long-term road map, a number estimated to increase to 42% through the next 12 months.

Many companies select a widely used standard for setting and recording targets. The number of manufacturers committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to reduce emissions increased 40% in the first six months of 2023. However, decarbonizing manufacturing is proving more challenging than some expected.

More than 40% of companies reported being slightly or significantly behind target on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with 47% not expecting to meet their targets. During the past year, the proportion of companies falling behind increased.

Omdia Senior Principal Analyst Alex West explains some of the challenges manufacturers face on their sustainability targets. He says the focus on near-limitless renewable energy has been misinterpreted by some to reflect availability. Companies can’t simply rely on decarbonizing their energy source, they must look internally at how to improve their energy use.

“A combination of existing and new technologies will be central to facilitating these improvements, with industrial automation vendors playing a key role in offering solutions across hardware, software, and services they can provide,” West says. “With industrial electric motors consuming more than 7 quadrillion (7 x 10¹⁵) kWh of electricity each year, vendors can support customers with more efficient motors as well as motors/drives specified for the optimum energy efficiency. Proper operation and monitoring of hardware through condition monitoring solutions are important in ensuring maximum efficiency.”

West says according to “Omdia’s Motors & Drives Vertical Applications Report – 2023” there were 6.4 million industrial motors sold into machine tools, valued at $1.9 billion, including fractional, integral, servo, and stepper motors.

The high cost of energy in the European Union has put a greater focus on energy efficiency. There’s regulatory pressure. too.

“Large companies in Europe will have to provide audited ESG reporting in 2025, based on financial years starting Jan. 1, 2024.”

West says small companies will struggle with their comparatively limited access to skills and resources required to monitor and report this data. “The market will need larger companies to help their smaller partners in this journey.” He notes the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) in Europe is more lenient for small companies, requiring financial year 2026 data reporting in 2027, so they have more time to get their shop in order. – Eric