Charting the Future of Sustainability in Manufacturing

In an exclusive interview with Naivedya Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO of Runaya, he addresses queries regarding the future of sustainability in the manufacturing industry. He leads the manufacturing technologies business at Runaya and is an entrepreneur and a keen observer who draws inspiration from the books he reads, especially biographies of those who have been drivers of change.

How would you characterize the dynamic landscape of the machinery manufacturing sector in India today, and what strategies are being devised to navigate forthcoming trends?

When it comes to manufacturing in India today, we can observe a significant transition taking place. In its growth towards a $7 trillion economy from $3 trillion, the country is looking to move away from core commodity manufacturing towards value-added downstream manufacturing. It has received a boost through government initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat, and critical machinery for production is being developed domestically. Native manufacturing is also bolstering revenue generation from the manufacturing sector as it undergoes a transformation in terms of machinery and related technologies. The government aims to retain all critical innovations within the country. Additionally, the manufacturing sector is undergoing backward integration, and large-scale manufacturing hubs are being established at strategic locations nationwide. There has also been an emergence of foreign companies seeking to establish manufacturing operations in India.

In every realm, sustainability plays a vital role. How does the increasing influence of sustainability agendas shape strategies within the machinery manufacturing sector to ensure both long-term growth and environmental stewardship?

Environmental stewardship is currently a prerequisite for any manufacturing company in India. There has been a heightened awareness about sustainability in organizations and the government. The government has introduced several policies on environmental governance and sustainability, which has spurred growth in the manufacturing sector. With the emergence of green technologies, manufacturing capabilities have been enhanced, leading to greater efficiency. Organizations are striving for increased productivity from machinery, lower scrap rates, and overall industry advancement. Circular economy solutions are pivotal in elevating the manufacturing sector, especially for SMEs. Numerous initiatives by the Indian government are also aiding organizations in achieving their environmental sustainability goals.

In what ways is the adoption of Industry 4.0 principles reshaping manufacturing processes and promoting sustainable production methods?

Industry 4.0 has significantly impacted the manufacturing sector in recent years, with organizations focusing on digitization and automation in manufacturing. The pursuit of a perfect Industry 4.0 setup is opening new avenues for the industry in terms of manufacturing quality and outcomes. Manufacturing automation has enabled industries to increase production rates with reduced human intervention, adding value not only to businesses but also to the manufacturing sector as a whole. New-age machinery and tools are being implemented, positively affecting cost, output, as well as the safety and security of operations. It is crucial to understand that manufacturing automation technologies are not diminishing manpower dependence but rather facilitating it. These technologies streamline work processes, ensuring accurate fulfillment of duties.

As manufacturing plants increasingly adopt automation and advanced technologies, what specific measures are being implemented to safeguard workers' safety?

In my opinion, there are certain misconceptions regarding automation technologies, which are simply advanced tools for humans to utilize. Despite the use of advanced machinery, human intervention is essential for proper and systematic operation. It is a misconception that automation technologies lead to reduced manpower usage. Instead, these technologies are employed to monitor costs and outputs and do not necessarily reduce manpower operations. In the coming years, we anticipate witnessing more advanced implementations of machinery in manufacturing processes.