Green Manufacturing Practices Research Articles

Global Green Manufacturing Initiatives:A step forward in reducing pollution

Sustainable development is the need of the hour felt throughout the world and work in this direction is aggressively pursued. Energy demand is creating high impact on environment worldwide. Governments of all the nations have developed key policies and strategies to reduce issues of energy efficiency, environmental impact and security and to meet the rising energy demand. Manufacturing companies and technocrats are always trying to invent new materials and improved processes to manufacture better and environmental friendly products, and thus maintain their competitive edge and enhanced profit margin. In this paper various sectors like pharmaceutical, Solar Photovoltaic-Based power Solution for Green Manufacturing industry, Cement & Concrete, Steel construction, Carpet industry, Furniture & Wood product companies, Green Buildings etc have been studied with reference to environmental point of view. In general, most of the manufacturing sectors have initiated Green Manufacturing practices to control emissions affecting global warming and health issues of humanity.

Exploring antecedents of extended supply chain performance measures

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the antecedents of Indian firms practicing green manufacturing practices and their impact on extended supply chain performance. Design/methodology/approach – In this paper the authors have adopted systematic literature review (SLR) to derive research objectives and questions. In order to answer research questions the authors have proposed a theoretical framework and derived research hypotheses. The authors identified constructs and items through extant literatures and developed a structured questionnaire which was pretested before using for final survey. The data were collected in two phases and also performed wave analysis to check non-response bias to avoid any significant impact of non-response bias on statistical analysis. The data has been used to conduct exploratory factor analysis using varimax rotation which reduces variables into five parsimonious and orthogonal factors. The factor analysis output was further used as an input of regression analysis. Findings – The factor analysis output has further validated the findings from literature review. The factor analysis output suggests that total quality management (TQM), supplier relationship management (SRM), R & D and technology and lean manufacturing practices are important determinants of Indian firms practicing green manufacturing practices which impact extended supply chain performance. The regression analysis output has further established that TQM and R & D and technology are strong determinants of extended supply chain performance. However, present study does not support SRM and lean manufacturing practices from respondent’s perspective. However, it further needs to be explored. Research limitations/implications – The present study is limited to medium-sized manufacturing firms. Second, the conclusive model explains only 31.9 percent of the total extended supply chain performance. The study provides an insight to managers that those companies which have implemented TQM and green technology have realized superior performance in comparison to those which have not successfully implemented. Originality/value – The present study is toward understanding Indian green manufacturing practices.

Drivers and Barriers Analysis for Green Manufacturing Practices in Malaysian SMEs: A Preliminary Findings

Nowadays, the manufacturing industry is faced with the challenge to adhere to stringent environmental regulations due to the scarcity of natural resources, global warming and waste management issues. Increasing environmental concerns and awareness are the driving force which pushes manufacturers all over the world to adopt green manufacturing practices. However, the drivers and barriers of implementing green manufacturing practices in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) differ from those for large enterprises since SMEs lack the data, resources, technical expertise and experience required to implement green initiatives. The environmental performance of SMEs is mostly driven by the intention of company owners. Since SMEs play a crucial role in a nation's economic growth, it is imperative to identify the drivers and barriers which will motivate and hinder the implementation of green manufacturing practices in SMEs, which forms the main motivation of our work. In this paper, we report preliminary findings on the drivers and barriers faced by SMEs in implementing green manufacturing practices, specifically in Malaysia. We use the Delphi survey method to explore, identify and verify the drivers and barriers of green manufacturing practices by obtaining consensus from a panel of experts. The experts are required to answer questionnaires in three rounds. The results of this study will offer insight to SMEs who intend to transform their manufacturing practices from conventional to green ones. We believe that our study will assist the manufacturing industry in prioritizing the key factors which will influence the adoption of green manufacturing practices.

Research instrument design for performance measures of green manufacturing practices in India - a pilot study

Green manufacturing (GM) is a terminology that minimises waste and pollution. It emphasises on the use of processes that do not pollute the environment or harm consumers, employees, or other members of the community. GM is fast emerging as the sustainable manufacturing solution that has the potential to solve most problems that the world faces today. A pilot survey was undertaken by the authors in mid 2011 to determine the extent of awareness and implementation of GM practices within various manufacturing industries in central India. In this paper an approach is made to develop an instrument to find the status of awareness and implementation of GM in India. It also aims at developing and validating performance measures for GM in the Indian context that could be used by manufacturers in assessing and improving their environmental manufacturing performance. Using a comprehensive blend of the literature, eight performance measures of GM and their 59 variables have been developed. The identified performance measures were subjected to appropriate statistical tests to establish reliability and validity. The validated instrument developed here may be used by manufacturing organisations to prioritise their efforts to assess and implement GM.

A comparison of energy consumption in bulk forming, subtractive, and additive processes: Review and case study

In addition to the steps taken to ensure optimal efficiency in industry, significant effort has been directed towards the green and sustainable manufacturing practices. In this paper, we review conventional and state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies to provide insight into energy consumption at the processing level. In the review, collected energy data were summarized for three manufacturing categories: conventional bulk-forming, subtractive, and additive manufacturing (AM) processes. Additive processes, in particular, are strongly emphasized in the Advanced Manufacturing Initiatives proposed recently by the United States government. Currently, the specific energy consumption (SEC) of additive processes is estimated to be ~100-fold higher than that of conventional bulk-forming processes, with subtractive processes showing intermediate values that varied over a wide range in terms of scale. Although SEC may vary with respect to the details, in general, the research showed a negative correlation with respect to the reciprocal logarithmic form of the productivity. In addition to the literature review presented, we performed case studies for the three manufacturing processes, to provide practical examples of energy consumption. Additionally, our results indicated that AM processes may require more extensive evaluation; i.e., an assessment of the entire manufacturing cycle, for more accurate prediction of the subsequent environmental impact.

Evaluation of green manufacturing practices using a hybrid MCDM model combining DANP with PROMETHEE

The advent of increasing industrialisation and globalisation has put pressure on Indian enterprises to increase the integration of environmentally conscious manufacturing practices into their operations. Numerous studies have explored this strategy but there are significant gaps in the existing literature, particularly in environmental practices specific to India. In this connection, there is a need to explore green manufacturing practices (GMP) in an Indian context. The purpose of this article is to select the best GMP based on dimensions and relevant criteria with the assistance of a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making model combining DEMATEL based on ANP (DANP) with Preference Ranking Organisation METHod for Enrichment Evaluations. A methodological framework is proposed to evaluate GMP and the same is validated within a particular single case industry situated in the southern part of India, who is the leading manufacturer of rubber tyres and tubes. By virtue of these findings, industries can identify the best GM practice to adopt in order to increase the chances of profit and performance throughout their systems. This study concludes by successfully identifying the best GM practice for this case industry, and it provides some important managerial implications. This research explores some future trends to make the study more reliable in changing real life scenarios.

Green manufacturing performance measures: an empirical investigation from Indian manufacturing industries

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to explore the performance measures for the green manufacturing practices in the Indian manufacturing industries. Design/methodology/approach – A tentative list of items/variables was developed for green manufacturing performance measures based on a thorough and detailed analysis of the pertinent literature. The survey questionnaire contained 128 items/variables, developed based on the literature and interviews with nine manufacturing industry experts, specifically green manufacturing areas. A total of 400 questionnaires were mailed out, and 114 were returned, of which 108 were valid, representing a response rate of 27 percent. Using the data collected, the identified items/variables were performed via factor analysis to establish reliability and validity. Findings – A total of 12 performance measures of green manufacturing with their 66 items/variables have been developed: top management commitment, knowledge management, employee training, green product and process design, employee empowerment, environmental health and safety, suppliers and materials management, production planning and control, quality, cost, customer environment performance requirement, customer responsiveness and company growth. Research limitations/implications – This study obtained 108 valid responses from the Indian manufacturing industries; the limitation of the study is the insufficient sampling. Future research needs to be performed using a larger sample and studying more countries. Practical implications – The performance measures developed in this study enables decision makers to assess the perception of green manufacturing in their organization and in prioritizing GM efforts. Originality/value – This study is probably the first to provide an integrative perspective of performance measures for green manufacturing practices in the Indian manufacturing industries. It gives valuable information, which hopefully will help this business sector to accomplish green manufacturing practices. This paper fills the gap in the literature on identification, establishment and validation of performance measures of green manufacturing for Indian manufacturing industries.

Sustainable and green manufacturing and materials design through computations

The main aim of the review is to address the importance of computations in the analyses of manufacturing processes during efficient materials design, tool design, and process design. Initially, the evolution of computations in manufacturing industries is highlighted. The applications of different computational approaches like numerical simulations, analytical modeling, soft computing, etc. in solving metal forming and joining problems are presented. Though there are several manufacturing processes, metal forming and joining applications are included in the present work. The later part of the review is about green manufacturing and sustainability, their relation with computations and manufacturing education. The green manufacturing and sustainability practices in different industries/fields (like automotive, machining, steel, food processing, computers, electronics) are tabulated. The significance of computations in green manufacturing and sustainability issues are described with a few examples from available literature. The last part of the work is about improving the awareness of green and sustainability concepts through manufacturing education. In this, the possible ways of modifying the present course content of ‘manufacturing technology’ in under-graduate education are suggested, by giving importance to green and sustainability concepts. The role of computations in manufacturing education is summarized finally.

Ecobonding of Composite Wind Turbine Blade Structural Parts Using Eco-friendly Adhesives

Structural adhesives used to bond composite blade parts have to fulfil sustainability requirements and REACH regulation in addition to quality design requirements in terms of specific stiffness, specific strength, fatigue and weathering characteristics. To appreciate the impacts involved in the bonding process (e.g., harmful substances, amount of VOC emissions, toxic chemicals, carcinogens, odours, ...), designers and users should have more knowledge and better innovation policies on how to integrate health and environmental aspects into the bonding procedures to enable a sustainable production coupled with green manufacturing practices. With this argument as an objective, the aim of the present paper is to innovate and develop a new approach providing high performance of adhesively-bonded composite blade half-shells in terms of Quality-Health-Environment interrelated issues. Alternative solutions leading to new generation of environmentally-friendly adhesives can be achieved through the integration of a new eco-factor, a, into the classical bonding formulations. Further to that, shear stress eco-ratio, , versus adhesive lap ratio, , for different values of a were plotted and some conclusions were drawn.

Development and validation of performance measures for green manufacturing (GM) practices in medium and small scale industries in Vidharbha region, India

Green manufacturing (GM) is a term used to describe manufacturing practices that do not harm the environment during any part of the manufacturing process. It emphasises the use of processes that do not pollute the environment or harm consumers, employees, or other members of the community. GM stresses on reducing parts, rationalising materials, and reusing components, to help make products more efficient to build. A survey was undertaken by the authors in 2009 to determine the extent of awareness and implementation of GM practices within various manufacturing industries in the Vidharba region of Maharashtra, India. In this paper, an approach is made to develop an instrument to find the status of awareness and implementation of GM in this region. It also aims at developing and validating performance measures for GM in Indian context that could be used by manufacturers in assessing and improving their environmental manufacturing performance. The author concludes that the adaptation of GM by industries is still at very early stage with much work to be done to raise levels of awareness and to convince them regarding the potential benefits of GM.

Green manufacturing practices in the fashion supply chain: lessons from Italian case studies

Companies are forced to undertake initiatives fitting within the scope of a green strategy, notwithstanding only a few of them dedicate their attention to environmental issues. The paper aims at exploring green manufacturing practices in the Italian fashion industry, by answering these research questions: To what extent are green manufacturing practices implemented among Italian fashion companies? Which are the reasons for embracing environmentally friendly practices? Are stakeholders conscious of environmental issues? A questionnaire was designed and used as a guideline for 15 case studies. From the analysis of the case studies, the main reasons why there is still a limited attention paid to environmental issues and some key guidelines for the implementation of green manufacturing practices in the fashion industry were identified. Findings provide managers with a picture of the adoption of environmental friendly practices, as well as with some useful guidelines for companies wishing to undertake environmental initiatives.

The impact of industrial clusters in greening manufacturing industry practices in small and medium scale enterprises: the case of the Old Ardbennie Industrial Cluster in Harare, Zimbabwe

Industrial clustering can be used to improve green manufacturing practices by reducing negative environmental impacts and facilitating participation in corporate social responsibility activities. This paper assesses the performance of the Old Ardbennie Industrial Cluster in Harare, Zimbabwe. Opportunities for better environmental performance were determined through questionnaires, interviews and observations. Results show that though effluent management by cluster members was poor, savings in water usage were realised. Potential for trading in waste were identified and reductions in solid waste and in energy consumption were observed. A positive co-relationship between participation in cluster activities and achievement of green manufacturing was identified.

Green manufacturing practices among wooden furniture manufacturers in Malaysia

The adoption of green manufacturing practices by the Malaysian wooden furniture industry is limited as is shown by a questionnaire-based survey of wooden furniture manufacturers. The lack of price premium for green furniture products and the high cost involved in adopting such practices have been identified as the major restraints. Currently most green manufacturing practices are related to the use of environmental-friendly materials.

Relationship between management practice and organisation performance under European Union directives such as RoHS: A case-study of the electrical and electronic industry in Taiwan

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the European Union Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directives set by the European Union on the financial and environmental performances of Taiwan’s electrical and electronic companies adopting the green supply chain management. A literature review, in-depth interviews and questionnaires were used as our hypothetical supports. One hundred and fifty-one certified International Organization for Standardization 14001 electrical and electronic companies were randomly selected as the study subjects. Data analyses and hypothesis tests were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software, and Structural Equation Modelling was used to analyse the pathway model and to test the hypothetical structure in this study. We found that these companies mostly adopted green manufacturing practices and green purchasing practices in order to meet the RoHS and WEEE directives. The results of pathway diagram analysis using structural equation modelling (SEM) also showed that the green supply chain management adopted by the study companies had a positive effect on both their financial (p < 0.01) and environmental (p < 0.01) performances, and therefore might be used as a reference for Original Equipment Manufacturing and Original Designing and Manufacturing industries in other Asian Pacific countries. Keywords: RoHS, WEEE, green supply chain management, financial performance, environmental performance