9MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY INSIGHTSOCTOBER - 2023REDUCING CARBON EMISSIONS BY CURBING WATER CONSUMPTIONGiven the intertwinement between water and energy, manufacturers should also address potential points of inefficient water consumption along the production chain to reduce emissions. Notably, minimising water consumption is an underacknowledged, but vitally important aspect of reducing carbon emissions.According to the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, water use constitutes around 6 per cent of the UK's carbon emissions. Reducing water consumption by 10- of the UK's carbon emissions. Reducing water consumption by 10-12% could play a role in minimising the UK's carbon footprint by cutting overall emissions by around 0.5%. emissions by around 0.5 per cent. Take the case of Arla Foods, one of the leading players in the global dairy market, as a prime example of how manufacturers can make the move to more efficient water consumption. Arla set out to achieve its goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. To make this happen, the dairy giant endeavoured to first lower its carbon emissions by 63 per cent at 60 dairies worldwide by 2030. By installing new intelligent pumps for chilled and iced water applications at the company's Westbury facility in the UK, Arla was able to significantly improve the efficiency of the factory's water use. The intelligent pumps contributed to 481,800 kWh in energy savings, amounting to 194 tons of carbon dioxide saved for their ice and chilled water systems. The upgrades to intelligent pumps also reaped an impressive return on investment of fewer than two years and made Arla's net-zero ambitions even more attainable. As the Arla case exemplifies, manufacturers can shrink their carbon output and enjoy long-term financial benefits by investing in equipment that optimises their water consumption. FROM COMPLACENCY TO CARBON REDUCTIONThe manufacturing industry should not be complacent about its status as a top carbon emitter. Rather, manufacturers need to urgently evaluate the efficiency of energy and water solutions used across the production chain and look to upgrade inefficient, carbon-intensive technologies. Employing smarter energy and water solutions throughout the manufacturing process has the benefit of reducing energy consumption and slashing operational costs and critically decreasing carbon emissions and pushing the needle on net zero. By addressing inefficiencies and reducing energy consumption, employing digital solutions, and optimising water consumption, manufacturers can play their part in making progress towards global net-zero commitments. Employing smarter energy and water solutions throughout the manufacturing process has the benefit of reducing energy consumption and slashing operational costs and critically decreasing carbon emissions and pushing the needle on net zero
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