Environmental Impacts of Production Disturbances in Manufacturing from an OEE Perspective

Production Disturbances (PDs) negatively impact efficiency and productivity in manufacturing systems by consuming resources and causing losses. It is intuitive that production equipment maintenance, and thereby PDs handling, is tightly connected to sustainability by contributing to the extended longevity of technical systems. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding how PDs impact Environmental Sustainability Indicators (ESIs). This missing connection makes it challenging for decision-makers to motivate green investments and to align work procedures to reduce environmental impacts. This study aims to bridge the gap between PDs and ESIs through a questionnaire-based survey to collect data and establish an integrated picture of PDs and ESIs in the context of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE). The findings within our study indicated that quality and maintenance organizations should prioritize addressing defects, reduced yield and idling/minor stops to improve ESIs. Targeted strategies to reduce these PDs can lead to improvements in energy efficiency and waste reduction, ultimately contributing to net-zero emissions.