Share:
In the heart of the Midwest, a factory has emblazoned its mission statement, “Treat nature as a guest,” on its sign - symbolizing a profound shift in environmental responsibility among manufacturers. This marks a significant revolution in their mindset. Beyond merely enhancing efficiency, the factory is now dedicated to balancing operational performance with environmental stewardship, fostering sustainable relationships with the local community.
Transitioning from a linear economy to a circular economy often highlights the manufacturing industries first, due to their significant resource consumption and waste generation. Despite this, many manufacturers still view green transformation as a burden, failing to recognize its long-term benefits. The primary impetus for green transformation currently stems from market demands and specific, quantifiable standards.
Even businesses with environmental management system certifications typically aim only to meet government and market requirements, without appreciating the true value of green transformation. In reality, green practices save energy and raw materials, reduce production costs, and provide a competitive advantage as customers increasingly favor environmentally friendly products.
Advancing green transformation not only enhances export values but also improves the product value chain. Green products incorporate recycled materials, natural resources, or by-products from previous stages, optimizing resources and boosting product value.
A green factory operates efficiently, optimizes resource and energy consumption, and minimizes greenhouse gas emissions. Achieving this requires integrating sustainable building architecture, construction materials, and operating equipment. Implementing green factory principles based on lean manufacturing and standards such as LEED, LOTUS, and EDGE optimizes operations, enhances business efficiency, and improves working conditions.
The factory, considered the "heart of the supply chain," must be set up correctly from the start to enhance competitiveness and ensure sustainable development. Traditional goals like quality, productivity, delivery time, and production costs must now encompass safety, environmental impact, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, social responsibility, and green products.
Green factories require an environmental management system to assess operational efficiency and prevent greenwashing. This system evaluates transformation results, enhances performance, and mitigates resource consumption and emissions. Companies that adopt standard environmental management systems generally possess more effective and extensive internal resources.
Amid rising pollution and stringent trade barriers, businesses face challenges in maintaining production and adapting factories to new standards. Small and medium enterprises in Vietnam, with their limited capacity and resources, need government and association support for green transformation.
Transforming factories and production processes necessitates not only general models and standards but also customization to the specific characteristics of the Vietnamese industry. This requires the involvement of organizations knowledgeable about Vietnamese technology and production activities within the broader manufacturing industry context.
The office functions gathered in Victoria Park offer the best working environment for employees and a welcoming experience for visitors. The building, featuring high-end amenities and low energy consumption, exemplifies sustainability excellence by integrating the structure with the surrounding landscape. Trees and greenery are used to provide shade and cool the building.
The Aquatic Sports Center and pedestrian bridge in Saint-Denis, Paris, designed by VenhoevenCS and Ateliers 2/3/4/ for Heritage, is the only permanent structure built for the 2024 Olympics. The Aquatic Sports Center stands out as a curved wooden sculpture overlooking the Grand Paris landscape, blending technical innovations with the highest environmental certifications. With its smart configuration, limited material and energy use under an ultra-thin suspended roof, and the largest solar farm in any French urban area, the arena will host 5,000 spectators for Olympic competitions such as water polo, diving, and artistic swimming.
The Concept WRRF Yixing project is a forward-thinking wastewater treatment facility, aiming to transform traditional wastewater treatment plants into sustainable recycling plants.
Designed by Ken Wai, Global Design Director of Aedas, in collaboration with Executive Directors Wei Li and Feili Shen, the Alibaba DAMO Nanhu Industrial Park in Hangzhou has been completed.
In today's context, the urban heat island effect is becoming increasingly severe as road surfaces and buildings absorb heat from the sun and reflect it back, leading to a rise in temperatures and contributing to global warming.
The Research Center of DY Patil University has opened in Navi Mumbai. The ten-story building is designed to support the university's teaching methods and philosophy, providing high-quality learning and living spaces for 3,000 students. The project also includes a two-hectare rooftop garden with native plants, pond animals, and relaxation areas. The new building – the first educational project undertaken in India – is the result of close collaboration between Foster + Partners and the University's President, Dr. Vijay Patil. The project has achieved a LEED Platinum rating, the highest level of recognition.