“Indian manufacturers are increasingly redefining productivity to incorporate environmental impact, as we understand the urgency and importance of having a greener tomorrow.” Sanjay Kulkarni, President, Fleetguard Filters Private Limited
How are manufacturers redefining ‘productivity’ to incorporate environmental impact alongside traditional metrics like output and efficiency?
Indian manufacturers are increasingly redefining productivity to incorporate environmental impact, as we understand the urgency and importance of having a greener tomorrow. Various methods are being adopted, like implementing Industry 5.0, where humans and machines collaborate to enhance sustainability in production systems and the implementation of green technologies, like installing solar panels. In Fleetguard Filters Private Limited (FFPL) too, we have installed Solar panels at our Nandur facility and our Kolabira facility. The latter will have 40 percent electricity consumption via solar panels by 2025. We envisage being net zero at our New Nadur factory by December 2025. Also, for waste management, we have ensured that we have the best practices undertaken for industrial waste. From incorporating reusable pallets to process improvisations, the industry and we are taking all necessary measures to ensure output and efficiency are maintained while reducing the environmental impact.
How can technology enable manufacturers to achieve both increased productivity and reduced environmental footprint, and what are the barriers to wider adoption?
Technology has played a pivotal role in increasing productivity while emphasizing on reduction in environmental footprint. With analytics led design tools, we can now understand the limitations of a product without having to create prototypes, saving waste material. Implementing advanced technology and techniques has given us insights to not just produce efficiently but also do predictive maintenance, reducing downtime. The industry is increasingly using technology to ensure precision manufacturing, which will reduce waste and scrap. Some challenges the industry could face are infrastructural, skilled manpower to implement the projects, and a lack of financial resources, as newer technology is always priced at a premium.
How are manufacturers addressing the challenge of creating a truly circular economy, where materials are continuously reused and recycled, and what are the remaining obstacles?
Reduce-Reuse-Recycle has always been very important to address the challenges faced in having a circular economy. However, not all products can be refurbished or reused, as in our case, filtration. This would defeat the purpose of filtration in itself. We work on improving the durability of the product for increased product life, efficiency and have waste management practices in place.
In what ways are regulatory pressures and consumer demand driving the shift towards sustainable manufacturing practices, and how are these forces likely to evolve in the coming years?
Regulatory pressures and consumer demand have had an impact on promoting sustainable manufacturing practices. India has a Net Zero target by 2070, and the industry is aligned to rise to the cause. Increasing ESG practices, Waste reduction, energy efficiency, and improved supply chain are being widely incorporated. In the future, we see the potential workforce being conscious of the employer’s credit scores to ensure they work for an environmentally conscious organization whose products are supporting a greater cause. Even consumers are and will increasingly become conscious of making eco-friendly products, thus leading to higher consumer-driven accountability.
What are the true costs and long-term return on investment (ROI) associated with sustainable manufacturing initiatives, and how can manufacturers accurately measure and communicate these benefits?
There are tangible and intangible benefits associated with sustainable manufacturing. The intangible benefits are brand resonance, consumer satisfaction, and employee morale. The tangible costs impact the OPEX. The long-term ROI can be seen through energy and cost savings thereof, waste reduction, material efficiency, carbon footprint reduction and reduced overall production lifecycle costs.
