ABB facility in Mexico reduces emissions by 80% in two years

Continuing its commitment to sustainable manufacturing, ABB’s Mexican production site for load centres and safety switches in Saltillo has reduced emissions by 80% in the past two years. The latest figures show that the site has reduced emissions by over 5,200 tonnes of CO₂e against baseline reporting in 2022.

The implementation of smart buildings technology and photovoltaics (PV) has significantly contributed towards cutting carbon emissions by approximately 80%, with electricity generated from solar energy on site, the integration of green energy purchases and optimisation of energy productivity.

The site is using the smart energy management system, ABB Ability Energy Manager, to analyse energy consumption patterns and identify ways to optimise energy usage and improve efficiency in real time as demand fluctuates. In addition to data insights, the system integrates over 1,000 PV panels that supply 980MWh annually, which is approximately 10% of the site’s power needs, while the remaining electricity consumption is sourced from Mexican renewable projects through I-REC certificates. The installation of ABB’s Terra AC wall boxes for electric vehicles (EV) charging further underscores the site’s commitment to sustainable transportation.

Sustainability journey
The ABB Saltillo facility started its sustainability journey in 2019 with Clean Industry Certification followed by the installation of motion detectors, LED lighting, and external PV lighting in 2020. Additionally, skylights were installed in the facility’s roof, taking advantage of sunlight and eliminating the use of lights during day shifts. This has led to significant energy savings of almost 1,800MWh annually by reducing the dependence on artificial lighting.

Committed to water conservation, over 60% (3,760m³) of the water consumed is directed to an on site wastewater treatment plant, where it is repurposed for gardening at the ABB facility. These actions contribute to reducing the problem of water depletion in the region; ABB Saltillo is located in Coahuila, a state with the fourth highest water stress in Mexico.

Mike Mustapha, president, ABB Electrification’s Smart Buildings Division, said: “Our Saltillo facility is progressing on the journey to achieve the goals set out in our ‘Mission to Zero’ programme, demonstrating our commitment to a resource-conscious and sustainable future. Our local team’s sustainability efforts are a solid example of how smart buildings can achieve the dual outcomes of cost savings and sustainability — all while enhancing the safety and comfort of their inhabitants. The reduction not only reflects the electricity consumption of 947 homes for an entire year but also contributes to the State of Coahuila’s objective of reducing regional emissions.”

ABB’s rigorous science-based ‘net zero’ targets align with the Net-Zero Standard of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) demonstrating the commitment to enabling a low-carbon society and partnering with customers to avoid emissions and increase renewables. ABB’s scalable programme, Mission to Zero, encompasses energy generation, energy management and building automation for industrial and commercial operations.