Two major trends that will drive manufacturing in 2024 include improved sustainability and the greater adoption of smart technology.
According to industry experts, 2024 will see manufacturers spend more time and resources on sustainability. They are also likely to accelerate the adoption of smart technology, from AI to traceability tools. Partnerships and collaboration will also be a factor in the growing move to smart technology.
…
Government Pressure Will Drive Sustainability
A wide range of governmental moves will increase the importance of environmental concerns at manufacturers. “With the growing visibility of climate change impacts, manufacturers worldwide are placing a heightened emphasis on sustainability. Across industries and governments globally, there is widespread adoption of objectives to achieve carbon neutrality,” Doug Lawson, CEO of ThinkIQ told Design News. “The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has already put forth a proposal, urging companies to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions to investors, aiming to enhance ESG transparency and diminish their carbon footprint. The SEC’s proposal, coupled with the Paris Agreement’s call for a net zero economy by 2050, are forcing manufacturers to find ways to cut emissions and increase sustainability initiatives.”
To cope with these greater pressures, manufacturers are likely to increase the use of advanced technology. “We expect smart manufacturing technologies to play a crucial role in the new year to drive sustainability efforts in manufacturing,” said Lawson. “Supply chain traceability solutions can capture, contextualize, and analyze data related to energy consumption, carbon emissions, and waste. This will provide manufacturers with the insights they need to identify opportunities for reducing their environmental impact.”
