ABB has reported significant energy and emissions reductions at its manufacturing facility in Zibo, Shandong province, China, following the deployment of advanced digital energy management and electrification solutions.
The site has reduced annual energy consumption by 71 MWh and avoided more than 63 tonnes of CO₂e emissions as part of a sustainability roadmap focused on energy efficiency, electrification, renewable electricity and digital energy management.
The facility, which produces wiring accessories for ABB’s Smart Buildings portfolio, has introduced a range of efficiency measures across its operations. These include the installation of LED lighting, optimisation of air-conditioning systems using real-time occupancy data and upgrades to air compressor controls to reduce unnecessary energy use.
ABB has also deployed a digital energy management system at the site to monitor, analyse and optimise energy performance. The platform provides real-time insights into energy consumption, enabling data-driven decision-making and continuous efficiency improvements.
The Zibo facility now operates entirely on renewable electricity, with around 15% of its power demand supplied by rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems installed within the industrial park. The remaining electricity is sourced through certified green power procurement.
The site is certified under the ISO 50001 energy management standard and has been recognised by local authorities as a “Green Factory” in Zibo, highlighting its role as a regional example of sustainable industrial operations.
Mike Mustapha, President of ABB Electrification’s Smart Buildings Division, said the project demonstrates how digital technologies can accelerate decarbonisation in manufacturing. “By combining digital energy management, efficiency improvements and renewable electricity, the team has delivered tangible reductions in energy use and emissions while strengthening the competitiveness of the site,” he said.
Beyond energy and emissions reductions, the facility is also advancing circularity initiatives through waste reduction and recycling programmes. ABB said the site is targeting Zero Waste to Landfill certification under UL2799 by the end of 2026.
The Zibo plant is part of ABB’s Mission to Zero™ initiative, a global programme aimed at creating low-carbon, energy-efficient and digitally enabled industrial sites across Europe, the Americas and Asia.
