Towards a concept for realizing sustainability in the manufacturing industry

Abstract

This study summarizes the current state of manufacturing companies and challenges related to sustainable manufacturing and outlines a concept for measuring, improving, and managing sustainability performance. Reviews of the current state of sustainable development at global and company level show that manufacturing companies need support and guidance if they are to realize the objectives of sustainable development. The challenges and barriers faced by manufacturing companies in this respect are therefore clarified, making used of surveys, interviews, and workshops. This is then followed by a proposal for a concept that aims to overcome these challenges and to support manufacturing companies in realizing and managing sustainable development and sustainable production. The concept focuses especially on measuring, improving.