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Staying Competitive in Clean Manufacturing: Insights on Barriers from Industry Interviews

Author

Listed:
  • Paulomi Nandy

    (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA)

  • Thomas Wenning

    (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA)

  • Alex Botts

    (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA)

  • Harshal J. Kansara

    (Golisano Institute for Sustainability, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY 14623, USA)

Abstract

While industrial emissions research has historically focused on energy-intensive sectors like steel, cement, and chemicals, this study addresses a critical gap by examining barriers across all the manufacturing industry in the U.S. Sectors like food processing, retail, plastics, and transportation face unique challenges distinct from heavy industry, operating on thin margins with limited bargaining power while experiencing heightened consumer and stakeholder pressure for improved environmental responsibility. Through structured interview data collection process and using quantitative ratings and qualitative analysis, this research identifies and categorizes emission reduction barriers across four key themes: financial, technical, organizational, and regulatory. Unlike energy-intensive industries that may pursue hydrogen or carbon capture technologies, discrete manufacturing industry like automotive, electrical and electronics, and machine manufacturers typically focus on energy efficiency, electrification of thermal processes, and alternate fuel switching, solutions better aligned with their lower-temperature processes and distributed facility profiles. The study’s primary contribution lies in documenting specific barrier manifestations within organizations and identifying proven mitigation strategies that companies have successfully implemented or observed among peers.

Suggested Citation

  • Paulomi Nandy & Thomas Wenning & Alex Botts & Harshal J. Kansara, 2025. "Staying Competitive in Clean Manufacturing: Insights on Barriers from Industry Interviews," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-21, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:20:p:9233-:d:1774066
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    References listed on IDEAS

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