For Inter-IKEA, we boosted the sustainability of the world's entire paper supply chain, using IKEA's catalog and one innovative big data tool. The tool includes data dashboards for purchasers, suppliers, and retailers, affecting the entire life cycle of the catalog, all of its suppliers, and subsequently, a large part of the world's paper and pulp production.
The big-data supply chain tools resulted in massive sustainability gains in energy, waste, water, and more, right from the first year and increasing each year after. Because of the catalog print volume, this project positively affects the world's entire print industry. Its yearly improvements now ripple out beyond to adjacent sectors.
To improve the green procurement of paper and print for its 217-million-copy catalog, the furniture giant from Sweden teamed up with us in 2014, and we've been working diligently with them to create some remarkably effective big-data tools.
Listen to this Magic Brain Podcast to hear Tom Bosschaert with more details about this IKEA project.
Together, IKEA and Except are creating the world's largest sustainability-driven Self-Learning Supply Chain. This translates to a cost of less than US$500,000 and considerable annual energy savings into the future.
This approach results in a cost/benefit ratio of over 200 for the energy savings alone, but it's not just about the energy and CO2 aspects of the solution. The online magazine 2Degrees writes this about this process:
The Results
The data is processed in our online big-data dashboard, making thousands of data points instantly visible and understandable in intuitive overview graphics. This allows purchasers and suppliers to immediately see performance opportunities and make critical decisions faster, better, and lasting positive results.
Because of these requirements, standards, processes, and tools, the IKEA catalog is now the most significant print production ever on 100% Forest Stewardship Council™ certified paper (FSC™ Mix Credit) and carries the FSC™ logo. This results in the entire IKEA catalog production chain, from forest to printer, being FSC certified to ensure more sustainable origins of the wood.
The original goal was to reach 100% with catalog 2016. However, by ensuring IKEA only works with the most responsible paper and print suppliers, the goal has already been met – one year ahead of schedule.
Please follow the following link to learn more details:
2Degrees: Mission impossible? Making the IKEA catalog production more sustainable and FSC certified.
Aug. 18, 2017
Director
IT & Business Specialist
CSR Consultant / Engineer
Designer & Researcher
Except Integrated Sustainability
Industrial Ecologist
Except Integrated Sustainability
Industrial Ecologist & sustainable Storyteller
Except Integrated Sustainability
Software architect & Developer
Except Integrated Sustainability
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