_______________________________________________________________________________________ Factory of the Future
Manufacturing is both the engine of economic growth and one of its most resource-intensive sectors, responsible for around 20 percent of global carbon emissions. Demand for manufactured goods keeps rising, and whether it’ s electrical components or consumer electronics, the expectation is the same: more, faster, cheaper.
If the past decade of manufacturing focused on energy efficiency, the next will focus on circularity, embedding sustainability not just in how factories are powered, but also in how they source, design, and reuse materials. The shift has begun, and is being accelerated by digital energy platforms, which are finally revealing one of industry’ s greatest blind spots: where energy is really being consumed, wasted, or lost.
From energy efficiency to circular manufacturing.
By Gianluca Casanova
From blind spots to insights: why energy data matters
For much of the past century, efficiency was treated as something to tackle once production targets had been met. Today, it has become essential as rising costs and stricter reporting rules mean manufacturers need to know exactly where their energy is going.
This is where digital energy management platforms are transforming operations – turning data into actionable insight. Plants using digital energy management platforms, such as ABB’ s Mission to Zero™ sites, typically cut consumption by ten to 25 percent through improved monitoring, control, and predictive optimization( ABB internal data, 2025, Gianluca’ s Discover session).
Investors, regulators, and customers now expect tangible proof of progress, making energy records as critical as financial accounts. Digital solutions such as ABB’ s InSite energy-management system
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