noviembre 24, 2022
Quant – «Maintenance is the key of sustainable production»
Through life cycle management, maintenance can significantly influence the environmental impact of the machines and equipment and the products they manufacture, the use of natural resources needed in their production and the amount of waste generated from them, as well as recycling.
Maintenance is typically not considered as an element that promotes sustainable operating methods, but rather as a standard practice as part of production operations. However, the primary task of maintenance is managing the life cycle of machines and equipment and extend the service life, which means that the right solutions have a positive environmental footprint in addition to a direct economic impact.
«For Quant, it is extremely important that the overall effects of maintenance are understood in terms of responsible production operations, and that solutions are always made with respect for the environment,» says Sebastian Storbacka, Quant’s Regional Manager, Finland & Baltics.
Maintenance keeps machines running and materials in use
For its part, maintenance promotes the realization of the goals of responsible consumption and production by keeping the machines and equipment in operation with correctly sized and timed actions.
«In the simplest terms, it’s about keeping the machines and equipment, as well as the materials used for their production, in use for as long as possible. At the end of the life cycle, the replacement of the machine and equipment should also be considered, for example from the perspective of energy efficiency, maintainability, and life cycle expectations. At the same time, proper disposal and recycling of the old device is taken care of. Maintenance therefore plays a significant role in promoting sustainable and responsible operating methods.»
Responsible production requires a well-defined maintenance strategy
The basic principles of maintenance are continuous improvement, development of production efficiency and management of the life cycle of equipment. With a maintenance strategy which based on these basic principles, improvements can be made in several different areas.
«In responsible production operations, advanced maintenance practices and high-quality maintenance measurement can promote occupational health, safety and job satisfaction, reduce environmental load, emissions and waste, extend the service life of machines and equipment, reduce unplanned downtime and reduce the consumption of energy and raw materials,» says Storbacka.
Data collection and analysis, maintenance measurement, advanced processes, and modern technology help to form a better understanding of the impact of maintenance in responsible and sustainable production operations.
The above-mentioned improvements also have a direct financial impact on production operations through the reduction of costs and the improvement of the utilization rate. Identifying maintenance as a key factor in the development of sustainable production operations is primary in terms of the overall goals of the production facility.
«Through responsible maintenance, we can have a positive impact on the environment without compromising on financial goals.»
