Sustainable Industrial Processes: ERP Systems as the Key to Resource Efficiency
The chemical and pharmaceutical industry is committed to implementing sustainable industrial processes while remaining competitive. With CO2 emissions of 38.9 million tonnes in 2020 alone, the industry contributes significantly to total industrial emissions in Germany. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are becoming the central technology for the systematic reduction of emissions and the efficient use of resources.
The EU climate targets call for a 55 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. For energy-intensive industries, this means a fundamental transformation of their business processes. ERP systems act as a digital hub that integrates all business processes from production planning and supply chain management to sustainability reporting.
Digital Optimisation of Production and Delivery Processes
Modern ERP solutions enable production volumes to be precisely aligned with actual demand through smart planning and forecasting applications. Overproduction, which ties up valuable resources and results in costly storage or destruction, is systematically avoided. Machine learning supports process control to minimise waste.
Predictive maintenance modules continuously analyse measurement and production data. Algorithms predict potential malfunctions before they occur. This extends the service life of systems and optimises their utilisation – a direct contribution to resource conservation.
Transparent goods flows create the basis for sustainable industrial processes and procurement strategies. Fossil and renewable raw materials can be traced seamlessly from extraction to processing. The systematic recording of all supply chain players enables the targeted selection of suppliers with a low carbon footprint.
Infrastructure and compliance as sustainability factors
Cloud-based ERP systems reduce energy consumption through centralised operation in efficient data centres. The shared use of infrastructure avoids redundant capacity. Energy-efficient computer architectures such as ARM processors and the optimal utilisation of computing power also contribute to energy savings.
Digital document management modules eliminate paper-based processes. From orders to quotations to invoices (keyword: ‘digital invoicing’), all document management is handled electronically. Digital invoicing replaces resource-intensive postal delivery and reduces the consumption of water, energy and chemicals in paper production.
The EU sustainability reporting requirement for companies with more than 250 employees, which has been in force since 2024, makes ERP systems indispensable. As a data backbone, they provide the information required for CO2 accounting along the entire value chain. Specialised CO2 management software modules document emissions in a legally compliant manner and create transparency for internal optimisations and external reporting requirements.
The integration of ERP systems into the sustainability strategy of chemical and pharmaceutical companies combines ecological responsibility with economic efficiency. The systematic digitalisation of processes not only reduces the carbon footprint, but also increases profitability through optimised resource utilisation.
Source: Trade journal ‘Chemie Technik’
Photo: Gatherina
