The industry in Northwest Europe faces a crucial challenge: how can energy efficiency be increased, and greenhouse gas emissions reduced while maintaining operational goals? Many industrial companies are already making great strides toward sustainability. But it is not enough. Now, the Maintenance & Asset Management organization must step up and make a difference.
To combat global warming, the European Commission set an ultimatum in 2019. The European Green Deal was a wake-up call for the industry. We must do everything possible to achieve these goals. It is, therefore, essential to consider what the technical department can do to contribute to sustainability objectives—and how much impact these measures will have.
New Methodology
Under the direction of the European Union, a project called MORE4Sustainability has been launched. This project aims to develop a methodology that enables the Maintenance & Asset Management organization to contribute to improving energy efficiency and reducing CO₂ and other greenhouse gas emissions. This methodology is called Sustainable Asset Management.
The methodology and its associated Roadmap are based on extensive benchmark research conducted in the manufacturing industry in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and Germany. The research examined a series of best practices in Maintenance, Overhaul, Repair & Engineering (MORE).
Impact
The good news: Sustainable Asset Management has a proven impact and significantly contributes to improved energy efficiency and lower GHG emissions. Proper machine maintenance and alignment are crucial. Implementing AI can improve energy efficiency. Modern technologies help detect leaks earlier. Additionally, installing solar panels or a combined heat and power (CHP) system can bring substantial benefits.
Roadmap
But which practices are most relevant for each company? And what is the smartest sequence for step-by-step implementation? The Roadmap Sustainable Asset Management, the final report of the study, provides answers. This roadmap is a practical step-by-step guide for implementing Sustainable Asset Management, including self-assessment tools and business case calculations. Finally, inspiring case studies and benchmark results will help share the knowledge gained about this new methodology, which will undoubtedly prove its added value.
Training Sessions
In the final phase of the project, a training program is being developed. Several classroom training sessions are already scheduled for 2025 to equip the maintenance community with the necessary tools to actively engage in sustainability.
In Belgium,
training sessions are scheduled on:
March 18 (Kortrijk), April 1 (Heverlee), May 22 (Ghent), and June 5
(Antwerp).
In the
Netherlands, NVDO has scheduled training sessions on:
April 3 and June 20 (Houten).
All training sessions are free to attend. Additionally, online training sessions and webinars are being prepared in four languages. These will be announced on the MORE4Sustainability project website and through the LinkedIn pages of the various partners.
Keynotes
Alongside the training program, Mark Haarman, Managing Partner at Mainnovation, will deliver keynotes at two major events for maintenance and asset management professionals.
March 27 – Maintenance Fair in Antwerp
April 10 – Maintenance NEXT in AHOY Rotterdam
During
these sessions, he will discuss benchmark results, the four steps
within the Sustainable Asset Management Framework, and the necessity and
added value of integrating sustainability into asset management. As Jochen
Zeitz, Chairman and CEO of Harley-Davidson, put it:
"Sustainability is no longer about doing less harm. It's about doing
more good."