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Emissions-reduction technologies can help brands hit green goals

Emissions-reduction technologies can help global manufacturers lower their environmental impact while increasing operational efficiency and making savings.

Population, diet, and income levels are all anticipated to increase by 2050. The environmental effects of global food systems are expected to rise by 50-90% as a result. At the UN’s Food Systems Summit in 2025, the global organisation confirmed that at this magnitude, the food industry will breach the planet’s safe and just boundaries – a concept known as planetary boundaries. These planetary boundaries represent the environmental limits within which humans can thrive.

A 2025 study found that food processing is the single largest source of emissions, accounting for an average of 30% of total output in Europe. The figure exceeded 50% in France and was almost 48% in Italy. Published in Carbon Research, the study sought to provide a comprehensive assessment of carbon emissions across food production, processing, distribution and consumption.

“Sustainable transformation of Europe’s food system demands a mix of technology, teamwork, and consumer engagement,” said Dr Mohammad Fazle Rabbi, the study’s lead researcher at the University of Debrecen.

Rethinking food processing and investing in renewable energy were identified as potential actions the sector could take to cut food-related emissions by over a fifth. Furthermore, this approach could help Europe secure a future that is resilient and low-carbon.

Utilising technology to identify and quantify emissions

“One of the most important developments is the use of advanced monitoring and detection technologies,” Matias Conde, global director of service solutions at John Crane, a UK engineering company, told this publication.

These technologies are designed to enable operators to identify and quantify emissions from process equipment with much greater accuracy.

Food and drink manufacturers can combine these technologies with advanced sealing systems, filtration technologies, and asset-condition monitoring tools to improve containment, reduce product loss, and optimise the performance of rotating equipment across manufacturing facilities.

For example, Quantitative Optical Gas Imaging (QOGI) technology helps engineers visualise and measure fugitive emissions from equipment such as seals, valves, flanges and fittings.

“By making previously invisible emissions visible and measurable, operators can quickly identify where losses are occurring and prioritise corrective maintenance,” said Conde.

Plugging carbon leaks: A case study

Installing and rolling out emissions-reduction technologies can help transform facilities’ environmental practices and daily operations.

“The impact can be significant,” Conde said.

In a recent project with a food-industry producer that uses hydrocarbon solvents for vegetable oil extraction, John Crane engineers conducted a QOGI survey of a critical extractor system. The inspection identified 22 potential leak points, with nine quantified leaks totalling approximately 16kg per hour.

Based on the operator’s solvent value, those leaks represented a potential annual material loss of more than $194,000 (€168,000) if left unresolved.

“By identifying and addressing these issues early, facilities can reduce emissions, prevent product loss and improve process reliability,” Conde added.

Operationally, introducing emissions-reduction technologies can also enable manufacturers to plan maintenance more efficiently and improve equipment performance. Incorporating emissions-reduction approaches into the strategic, manufacturing, and management elements of production helps brands and operators meet sustainability goals while maintaining safe, reliable production.

Reducing emissions at source

Advanced machinery can also support green goals compared with traditional equipment.

Traditionally, emissions from process equipment were detected through manual inspections or routine maintenance checks.

“While these approaches can identify issues, they often do so only after losses have already occurred,” said Conde.

Modern technologies give manufacturers a clearer, data-driven picture of plant performance. Instead of relying solely on periodic checks, operators can pinpoint the exact location and scale of emissions and prioritise repairs based on quantified data.

“This allows facilities to move from a reactive approach to a more proactive maintenance strategy, improving operational efficiency and helping to reduce emissions at source,” Conde added.