In the article by Nutraceutical Business Review “The hidden carbon culprit: why IT efficiency should be on every manufacturer’s green agenda”, Al Kingsley from 247connect, highlights an often-overlooked element of sustainability in the food manufacturing sector: IT infrastructure. While many manufacturers focus their green strategies on visible areas such as recyclable packaging, waste reduction, or local sourcing, Kingsley points out that there is another, less obvious contributor to carbon emissions—energy-inefficient IT systems.
Manufacturers rely heavily on complex, energy-intensive processes to maintain compliance and productivity. Systems such as industrial refrigeration, climate-controlled environments, and high-spec cleanrooms run continuously and depend on IT services to operate. This constant demand means IT infrastructure itself plays a substantial role in the sector’s overall energy consumption and carbon output.
In food production, IT systems must be highly reliable to avoid operational downtime, but this reliability often comes at the expense of energy efficiency. Kingsley explains that upgrading or optimising IT systems must be approached carefully to avoid disrupting mission-critical production environments. Achieving efficiency gains without compromising performance is a challenge that requires thoughtful strategy and planning.
On-site IT maintenance in environments such as cleanrooms poses unique difficulties. These spaces have strict contamination controls, making physical access complex and potentially disruptive. As a result, introducing more efficient IT systems or carrying out upgrades can be slower and more complicated than in standard workspaces.
With sustainability reporting and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria becoming more stringent, manufacturers can no longer ignore IT’s environmental impact. Regulations are increasingly pushing organisations to measure and reduce all forms of emissions, not just those from manufacturing processes. This shift means IT-related energy use must be a priority in green strategies.
Kingsley urges manufacturers to place IT efficiency at the heart of their sustainability agendas. By doing so, they can achieve a double benefit: lowering their carbon footprint while also improving operational efficiency and reducing costs. For companies already investing in eco-friendly packaging or sourcing, optimising IT represents an additional and often untapped opportunity for meaningful environmental gains.
In essence, the article reframes IT infrastructure not as a background function but as a significant factor in both sustainability performance and long-term operational resilience.