Achieving Sustainable and Efficient Manufacturing with Proficy for Sustainability Insights

Sustainability is an increasingly central theme in the development strategies of manufacturing companies. The transition towards more efficient and effective production models is a tangible trend. If we take ISTAT data on sustainable practices in companies*, 59.5 per cent of manufacturing companies have taken sustainability actions, such as environmental protection actions (50.3 per cent). The main initiatives concern the use of energy from renewable sources (22.3%) and energy efficiency projects (20.4%). Let us also not forget the regulatory aspect: the CSRD directive in 2025 expands its scope to include an increasing number of companies in its reporting obligations.

Making production processes more sustainable is pivotal nowadays , even apart from regulatory compliance. But it is a path that needs a clear and straightforward strategy. This path can be enabled through the integration of new-generation tools that combine sustainability and efficiency.

An example in this direction is the Proficy for Sustainability Insights platform from Proficy Industrial Software, specializing in power generation, electrification, digitization, renewable energy and related financial services.

Distributed in Italy by ServiTecno, Proficy for Sustainability Insights makes it possible to integrate production strategies with the company's sustainability strategies, helping to optimize consumption, identify waste and reduce operating costs at the same time. The platform is designed to provide performance monitoring and benchmarking, increase the overall visibility of operations and optimize resource flows within plants.

Proficy for Sustainability Insights features several key functionalities that can support companies on their journey towards more sustainable manufacturing processes. Here is an overview.

Operationally, the platform acquires real-time data from multiple points of the production site. The data can in turn be integrated with OT data from SCADA, MES and other systems with process and business context data.

Regarding monitoring and benchmarking, KPIs such as Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions can be calculated at plant, area, line and production unit level. Queries on water consumption, energy and greenhouse gas emissions can be made for any time interval. Pre-defined queries are also available to assess performance on a time level in terms of months, days, hours and shifts.

Proficy for Sustainability Insights offers analysis dashboards based on customized templates for different job profiles. The interface has been developed to be user-friendly, allowing for a quick and easy evaluation of the total use of energy, water and Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions. Within the dashboards, it is possible to measure and visualize resource and cost intensity per unit of product, analyze trends in metrics over the desired timeframe, and compare metrics in different production modes, such as full cycles, downtime and idle periods.

On the process optimization side, the platform allows the deployment of simple control rules that can recommend changes or automatically adjust machine setpoints. It is possible to analyze usage patterns to help lower consumption peaks, highlight where variability exists, and correlate the drivers of abnormal usage. Instances of consumption from idle or non-production periods can be identified and addressed, such as turning off machines when they are unneeded.

Proficy for Sustainability Insights also offers operational functionality. Alerts can be set and generated to notify staff when a metric exceeds expected thresholds, thanks to the use of analytics that work continuously in the background. It is also possible to assign specific actions to different personnel for each alert that is triggered, thus facilitating the resolution of critical issues during the work shift or shifts immediately following.

From a CSRD perspective, Proficy for Sustainability Insights provides support for critical aspects of compliance. Here are the most relevant ones:

An example of practical application concerns a leading multinational food company in the Middle East and North Africa markets. The company integrated the platform to operationalize its sustainability strategy and reduce utility costs through precise consumption monitoring, improved operational visibility and continuous optimization based on artificial intelligence (AI) .

To achieve these goals, the platform collects and analyzes data from transmitters, digital flow meters and controllers located in key plant areas such as power distribution boards, water supply lines and diesel storage facilities. The advanced algorithms of Proficy for Sustainability Insights identify consumption trends of different utilities, anomalies and usage peaks. In this way, optimization strategies such as load shifting, demand response and efficient resource allocation can be taken on the basis of the data provided by the solution.

Through dashboards, plant personnel can monitor consumption trends and the results of optimization processes. To speed up rapid interventions, the system can automatically generate alerts in case of abnormal consumption patterns. Further, by integrating the site’s control systems with the solution, automated closed-loop optimization is possible.

By integrating operational and sustainability data, manufacturers can move from high-level goals to measurable, day-to-day improvements. Proficy for Sustainability Insights helps translate sustainability strategies into practical actions that deliver cost savings, efficiency gains, and stronger operational control across manufacturing environments.

By continuously monitoring energy, water, and fuel consumption across plants, lines, and assets, manufacturers gain clear visibility into where resources are being overused or wasted. This insight enables targeted actions that reduce consumption peaks, eliminate idle usage, and lower overall utility costs without disrupting production.

Detailed analysis of consumption patterns helps identify inefficiencies that are often hidden in day-to-day operations. Manufacturers can address variability, reduce unnecessary usage during non-production periods, and improve resource intensity per unit of product.

Automated alerts notify plant personnel when consumption exceeds expected thresholds, enabling quicker investigation and corrective action. This reduces the duration and impact of abnormal usage events and supports more consistent operational performance.

Centralized dashboards and standardized KPIs provide a shared view of sustainability and operational performance across roles and sites. This transparency supports accountability, aligns teams around common objectives, and helps sustain improvements over time.

By connecting plant-floor data directly to sustainability metrics, Proficy for Sustainability Insights improves traceability and confidence in reported information. Manufacturers can monitor ESRS-related metrics more consistently and demonstrate measurable progress year over year.

By integrating Proficy for Sustainability Insights, tangible benefits can be generated. One example is the decrease in energy and utility costs and the improvement of response times to instances of high and abnormal usage. Resource efficiency can be improved, and hidden waste can be identified.

In this way, production targets are aligned with sustainability goals, resulting in greater overall effectiveness.

Are you ready to embrace the change? Visit the Sustainability Insights webpage to learn more or request a demo.

ServiTecno, founded in Milan in 1979, provides software solutions for industrial automation and production data management. It has been active in OT Cyber Security for over twenty years, protecting critical industrial networks and systems. Since 2023, it has been a Benefit Corporation, strengthening its commitment to responsible and sustainable innovation. Learn more at www.servitecno.it

*Data 2022