To create a healthier, more sustainable future for all, we have to be innovative. That’s why Colgate-Palmolive is committed to our company-wide goal of achieving net-zero carbon in our operations by 2040 and 100% renewable electricity for our global operations by 2030.
And we’re not hesitant to look outside our organization to bring together technology that will make our products — and our planet — better.
By implementing Emerson’s advanced sensor technologies and analytics, Colgate-Palmolive has seen a 15% reduction in energy usage on several toothpaste and toothbrush packaging lines. As the technology is implemented more widely, more energy savings are expected.
“This collaboration is an excellent example of how the power of digitalization is helping us achieve our purpose by meeting our global sustainability and performance ambitions,” Warren Pruitt, Vice President of Global Engineering Services at Colgate-Palmolive, said. “Saving energy through airflow monitoring is just the tip of the iceberg. With a test-and-learn mindset, we’re able to scale successful lessons across our global footprint and help achieve our sustainability objectives.”
Colgate-Palmolive’s Ongoing Sustainability Efforts
- More Sustainable Products & Packaging. We’ve delivered new products with more sustainable formulations and packaging, like our breakthrough recyclable tube.
- Zero-Waste Facilities. We’ve earned more TRUE Zero Waste certifications — 20 certified facilities in 10 countries on five continents at the end of 2020 — than any other company.
- Becoming LEED Certified. Nineteen of our global facilities have achieved 27 LEED certifications, and all new construction follows LEED guidelines.
Using Emerson’s pneumatic sensors and IIoT-enabled software architecture, Colgate has been able to precisely monitor compressed air flow in real-time to identify leaks, optimize pneumatic processes, and improve airflow efficiency. Operators, using an integrated analytics dashboard, can easily regulate supply pressures and detect leaks, allowing them to spot trends and anomalies.
That means lower energy costs, increased health and reliability of equipment, and most importantly, progress toward our goal of achieving net-zero carbon in our facilities by 2040.
“We’re honored to work shoulder-to-shoulder with Colgate-Palmolive, whose brand Colgate is in more homes than any other,” Mark Bulanda, Executive President of Emerson’s Automation Solutions Business, said. “Projects like this demonstrate the technology available today to detect wasteful and costly energy leaks, optimize manufacturing processes, and make a measurable difference in meeting sustainability goals.”