Technological innovations for green production: The Green Foundry case study

Abstract

Abstract Technological innovations aim to improve manufacturing processes. In recent times, ever‐increasing attention to economic, social and above all, environmental sustainability, suggests that technological innovations are techniques not only for reducing costs but also for improving company sustainability. This includes the foundry industry, which is presented with the need for technological changes that improve processes but also satisfy environmental and climate regulations. This case study attempts to analyse the technological changes necessary not only to optimise production processes but also to make them more sustainable. Starting from the introduction of a new production process that aims to reduce environmental impact, the necessary plant changes are analysed. These changes concern various areas: the introduction of new machinery, lean techniques for inventory management and management modes of production waste material. The paper analyses these changes and demonstrates the need to act in several areas to make a production process that is sustainable from an economic, social and environmental point of view.

Keywords

• air pollution control
• casting
• environmental factors
• foundries
• innovation management
• inventory management