Ardagh Group has implemented Water Flow Intelligence at two of its U.S. facilities to bring new insights and analytics on water usage to its glass container production operations.
The company’s strategy to partner with Ecolab and adopt new IoT technology reflects Ardagh’s efforts to remain on the cutting edge of sustainability in the packaging industry.
Its goals include reducing potable water use, recycling more water, improving efficiency, reducing operating costs and maintaining product quality.
Water Flow Intelligence is a digital service that provides real-time visibility of water usage at the enterprise, plant and asset levels to help achieve sustainability goals.
It is built on the ECOLAB3D intelligence platform, utilizing IoT-enabled devices to gather and transmit detailed data via secure, cloud-based connections.
“With Water Flow Intelligence, we are beginning to understand what impact we have with our water operations,” said Gene Siler, Manager, Plant Engineering – Operational Excellence for Ardagh Glass Packaging – North America.
“To reduce water usage, you have to be able to measure it. We believe we are now on the right track to truly understand our consumption.”
Mr Siler is part of an Operational Excellence Group, which looks three to four years into the future and optimises Ardagh’s operations.
He is now able to see water operations at the two facilities through a user-friendly dashboard, which will enable his team to make strategic process improvements moving forward.
Mr Siler said: “Our Operational Excellence Group focuses on data.
“Gaining insight into this data represents a huge opportunity. Now that we can visualise it all, we’re starting to ask the right questions.
"We believe Ardagh has the potential to save millions of gallons of water each year.”
