More sustainability through digitization

Networked machines, predictive maintenance, automation: Industry 4.0 not only makes production on factory floors more efficient, it also ensures greater sustainability. The majority of German industrial companies are convinced of this. Three quarters (73 percent) say that Industry 4.0 reduces CO2 emissions.

Almost as many believe that Industry 4.0 conserves resources in manufacturing. This is the result of a representative study on the digitization of German industry commissioned by the digital association Bitkom, for which 552 industrial companies with 100 or more employees were surveyed.

According to the survey, as many as 85 percent say that Industry 4.0 is important for the circular economy, in which material and product cycles are closed in such a way that raw materials can be used again and again from scratch. Bitkom President Achim Berg points out that many solutions are already available:

"Sensors and smart machines can reduce energy requirements to a minimum, 3D printing reduces material use, and smart logistics shortens transportation routes."

One in two industrial companies has already made a voluntary commitment to reduce CO2 emissions, and a further 34 percent have specific plans to do so. One in four companies (23 percent) has also drawn up a sustainability strategy, and 40 percent plan to do so. One in three manufacturing companies uses climate-friendly production materials.