The company's plants in Lexington (USA) and Le Vaudreuil (France) were awarded Sustainability Lighthouse status in 2021 and 2022 respectively. Founded by the World Economic Forum in 2018, the Global Lighthouse Network recognizes manufacturers who are at the forefront of driving the fourth industrial revolution in the service of sustainability and efficient energy use. The network now comprises more than 150 lighthouses worldwide. However, only 17 of these are also Sustainability Lighthouses, which have been recognized for technology-based improvements to their ecological footprint. The 17 plants are examples of how companies can use 4IR solutions - i.e. Industry 4.0 solutions - to achieve a new level of sustainability and efficiency.

The Hyderabad plant

Schneider Electric 's plant in Hyderabad produces mission-critical solutions in the fields of energy management and automation. The plant is equipped according to the latest Industry 4.0 standards and is highly automated. It uses a cloud-based manufacturing system that is controlled by IoT-enabled devices and uses real-time data and predictive analytics for intelligent decision-making processes. By using these technologies, the plant has reduced its energy consumption by 59%, its CO2 emissions by 61% and its water consumption by 57% within four years. Waste optimization was improved by 64%.

To improve energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions, the team in Hyderabad focused on the biggest energy consumers in the plant: air compressors and cooling systems. An IoT-enabled solution - the 'Equalizer 4.0' - was installed to intelligently control the compressors and thus increase their efficiency. In addition, chillers were equipped with a data-driven energy management system that continuously monitors energy consumption and adjusts it in real time to optimize energy efficiency. "Sustainability is both a key concern and a goal for us," emphasizes Mourad Tamoud, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Schneider Electric.

The 'Strive' program from Schneider Electric

The Hyderabad plant is part of Schneider Electric's global smart factory and distribution center initiative, which includes nearly 250 factories and logistics centers in more than 40 countries. The initiative, in turn, is part of the company's 'Strive' program. Strive - Sustainable, Trusted, Resilient, Intelligent, Velocity and Efficiency - is transforming Schneider Electric's supply chains.