Implementation of Green Production Technology in a Medium Scale Auto Component Industry

To mitigate climate crisis, the Conference of Parties (CoP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) harps on concept of sustainability and accordingly the global corporate have shifted focus from “bottom-line P(profit)” to “bottom-line quadruple or 4Ps (people, planet, profit, purpose)” through Environmental, Social, Governance principles, which is also reported on website of companies for the public to see. Manufacturing sustainability comprises of resources optimization, improved productivity, reduced environmental pollution and energy-efficient processes. The present study deals with green production technology concepts in a medium scale auto component manufacturing plant located in South India that makes heavy vehicle suspension leaf springs. The analysis consists of study of raw materials, processes and layouts, energy modelling and carbon footprint estimation. The carbon footprint reduction recommendations consisted of improved layouts and use of green options such as LED lamps, use of photovoltaic power generation, rainwater harvesting, green logistics etc.; hence 5% carbon footprint reduction per leaf spring through the industry process and layout improvements, reduction of 60% in lighting through use of LED lamps and further 84% reduction through use of solar power generation for lighting. There is 62% carbon footprint reduction in production of leaf spring if “cradle-to-cradle” life cycle assessment is considered. All recommended areas could not be quantified as it is out of scope of the present study.