Cutting-Edge Technologies Driving Sustainable Industrial Practices

The industrial sector consumes around 54% of the world’s energy, and generates almost 30% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions reveals. As climate change continues to be a pressing concern, companies and industry leaders are turning to technology in order to lower their environmental footprints. Innovations like AI, carbon capture, use, and storage technologies, and 3D printing all have the potential to reduce waste and lower carbon emissions, as well as boost efficiency and productivity. By implementing these sustainable technologies, businesses can do their part to help shape a greener future.  

Prevent waste with AI anomaly detection

Although AI integration in manufacturing and heavy industry is still in its early days, some businesses are already using it to improve efficiency and sustainability. So, for example, AI anomaly detection can spot problems or defects in the production line, and so prevent the need for eventual rework or material wastage. The technology basically works by identifying data points that diverge from what’s expected. By flagging such instances early-on, overall material consumption is lowered as a result and the whole process becomes more sustainable. 

AI is also being used to improve safety across manufacturing and heavy industry. In the manufacturing sector alone, there were 490,000 injuries in 2022, the latest data from the National Safety Council reveals. Machine-related injuries, falls, and overexertion, in particular, are some of the main drivers of accident and injury. Fortunately, AI can improve worker safety and also create more efficient manufacturing processes at the same time. For example, AI can be integrated into wearable tracking bands or smart helmets. Wearables can send notifications whenever a worker fails to use the right safety equipment, for instance. AI then also collects and analyzes real-time data to provide workers with tailored recommendations on how they can take better safety precautions. 

Carbon capture, use, and storage technologies 

Carbon capture, use, and storage (CCUS) technologies — which mitigate carbon emissions from key industrial sources like power plants and refineries — are also currently in development. Once a combustion facility has CCUS technologies installed, roughly 90% of the carbon dioxide within the flue gas emitted is captured. After the fuel is burnt, CCUS technologies use a chemical solution to remove carbon from the flue gas. The leftover fuel is abundant in hydrogen. As for the carbon, it’s turned into liquid, and then stored in coal beds or empty oil and gas reservoirs at least 6,000 miles below ground. 

As CCUS technologies can successfully lower carbon emissions in industries that are notoriously hard-to-abate, they can play a key role in shaping a zero-carbon future. Plus, the resulting leftover hydrogen fuel can also be used for a host of sustainable purposes. Hydrogen can power vehicles and generate electricity in place of fossil fuels, for example. 

3D printing for manufacturing

Traditional manufacturing is responsible for 12% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the World Economic Forum reveals. Fortunately, 3D printing — technology that can manufacture tangible, 3D parts from a single digital file — can help lower the manufacturing industry’s overall environmental impact. As 3D printing uses less material and generates less scrap than standard manufacturing processes, it’s more sustainable. Plus, a whole host of industries from aerospace to medical equipment can also use 3D printing to create lightweight, more flexible, and eco-friendly designs.  

All manufacturers need to do to start benefiting from this tech is invest in a 3D printer. It can then be used to create, test, and tweak new product designs in a matter of hours. The traditional process, on the other hand, typically requires a hefty investment in materials, equipment, and machinery. That said, 3D printing doesn’t always automatically equal a lighter environmental footprint in all cases.

So, manufacturers need to first consider whether this technology is truly the most worthwhile option. For example, if you’re manufacturing parts that don’t usually involve a lot of material and machining processes, 3D printing holds little value in this sort of instance.  

Cutting-edge technologies are making industrial practices more sustainable. AI, carbon capture, use, and storage technologies, and 3D printing are just some of the latest innovations that are helping to shape a greener future.