When manufacturers talk about sustainability, the conversation often turns to renewable energy, recycled materials, or carbon reduction technologies. But one of the most immediate opportunities to reduce environmental impact may already exist inside the factory. Every unplanned stoppage, defective product, and inefficient production cycle represents more than a productivity loss. It also means wasted energy, materials, time, and money. Improving operational performance is therefore no longer only a productivity initiative. Increasingly, it is becoming an important part of the sustainability agenda.
This perspective was shared by Sutrisno Ignasius, Plant Manager of King Plastic Indonesia, part of Dynapack Asia, during an Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) seminar held on 8 July 2026 at Akademi Politeknik Industri (ATMI) in Bekasi Regency. Organized in collaboration with Asosiasi Pengusaha Indonesia (APINDO) Bekasi Regency, the seminar brought together hundreds of future engineers and manufacturing professionals to explore how OEE, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and Lean Manufacturing can strengthen industrial competitiveness.
For Sutrisno, however, OEE is more than a number on a production dashboard. By measuring equipment availability, operating performance, and product quality, OEE helps manufacturers make hidden losses visible and provides a structured way to identify their root causes.
“ OEE is not about machines. It is about building a culture of continuous improvement, where every improvement, no matter how small, contributes to safer, smarter, and more sustainable manufacturing. “
This mindset reflects a broader shift in operational excellence. Reducing equipment breakdowns, startup losses, defects, and unnecessary energy consumption can help manufacturers unlock more value from existing production capacity. In many cases, improving the effectiveness of existing assets can create significant value before additional capital investment is required.
As manufacturing embraces Industry 4.0, data-driven performance management is becoming increasingly important for long-term resilience. Understanding where losses occur and acting on that information can help companies become more competitive while using fewer resources. For Dynapack Asia, this connection between operational excellence and sustainability is closely aligned with its Sustainability Target 2030, including a commitment to reduce absolute Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 30%. Improving equipment effectiveness can contribute to this ambition by reducing energy consumption, material waste, and production losses.
In this sense, productivity and climate action do not have to be competing priorities. The same operational improvements that help a factory produce more efficiently can also help it consume fewer resources and generate less waste. The seminar also demonstrated the value of collaboration between industry and academia. By sharing practical manufacturing experience with future engineers and industry professionals, companies can contribute to building a more competitive and resource-efficient industrial ecosystem. As manufacturers face rising cost pressures and rapid digital transformation, operational excellence is evolving. The goal is no longer simply to produce more. It is to produce better, with less waste, greater efficiency, and stronger long-term business impact.
