Material audit for enhanced sustainability and material flow management

Improving material efficiency can provide companies with significant cost savings while reducing the company’s environmental impact. The easiest way to start the work is with material audit tailored to the company.

What is a material audit?

The material audit is a survey tool originally launched in Finland by Motiva that identifies the stages of the production process that can reduce the use of materials, unnecessary work phases, the amount of waste generated and environmental harm. After the audit or a lighter report applying its principles, the company can implement its improvement measures in a systematic manner while respecting nature and the environment.

At Sweco, we specialize in responsible production processes and, in addition to resource efficiency, we take into account the company’s strategic goals and help in the utilization of side streams. The results of the material survey support the setting of climate and biodiversity targets, sustainability reporting and the brainstorming of new circular economy business models

Material flow management and resulting savings

The material audit begins with the selection of the site and the creation of material and value balances. Balance sheets can be used to identify the largest waste flows and, consequently, areas for improvement. As a result of the material audit, the customer receives concrete proposals for measures to implement their savings. We assess the benefits, savings potential and possible investment needs of the measures, and make proposals for further measures based on these. After the project, it is easy to implement improvement measures in a systematic manner.

The savings potential found through audits is usually at least 3% of net sales, and it arises from several improvement areas found in the audit and the measures targeted at them.

Energy, water savings, and resource efficiency

Material processing requires energy and labor, with value tied up in process steps. More efficient use of materials reduces raw material costs, energy and water consumption, and enhances process work efficiency. The material audit also considers labor costs. Resource efficiency can be calculated as saved emissions and reported as part of the company’s sustainability reporting.

Workshops to support material flow management

Our workshops review the material and value balances created during the audit, helping the customer identify significant areas for improvement. Typically, 1-2 workshops are held, attended by employees ranging from production staff to company management. Involving multiple employees ensures the identification of effective improvement measures for maximum savings potential.

Material audit and its role in sustainability work

With a material audit, the waste of processes and material use becomes visible, improvement measures can be targeted correctly, and the results can be monitored and reported, for example, as financial indicators. The surveys have also succeeded in increasing the organisation’s competence and increasing mutual cooperation.

The materials survey can also be extended to material flows between operators, the enhancement of industrial symbiosis and the development of circular economy parks. We can also identify the most significant side streams and help you find and map potential users for them and other materials.

Supporting sustainability and circular economy

The results of the material audit support the company’s strategic goals and can be used as part of the company’s sustainability reporting. After the study, we can also calculate the nature or carbon footprint saved by the circular economy model.

The material survey is a versatile practical tool for managing resource efficiency, and we at Sweco are happy to modify it according to client needs.