Ford Hits 2025 Target for Cleaner Factories

Ford Motor Co. says it already has surpassed the goal it set in 2010 to cut global carbon dioxide emissions generated at its manufacturing operations 30% by 2025.

According to its annual Sustainability Report, Ford lowered CO₂ manufacturing emissions worldwide by more than 3.4 metric tons from 2010 to 2017. This is the equivalent to the annual tailpipe emissions generated by about 728,000 cars, according to the carmaker.

Ford credits the reduction to a combination of energy conservation and greater efficiency. This includes installing more than 100,000 LED light fixtures and upgrading paint operations with technology that allows wet-on-wet paint application, which eliminates the need for a drying oven.

The company also has implemented a new process for lubricating machine tools. By spraying a small amount of oil directly on the tip of the tool in a finely atomized mist, Ford says it can achieve the same results as achieved previously with a large quantity of coolant/water mixture.