Open the door to resource efficiency!

• Analysis spots outdated machinery and poor energy- and water-management practices
• Measures help to cut the company's energy consumption by over 5 %  

Ortel is a small company based in Lodz (Central Poland), which produces jackets, coats and suits.

The company carried out a TOP 20 input-output analysis to identify potential energy and material savings. TOP 20 has been widely used in cleaner production projects since the 1990s. It is now an integral part of the 'Eco-innovation Diagnosis and Implementation Tool for increase of enterprise Value' (EDIT Value) developed within PRESOURCE project. EDIT Value, including updated TOP 20, was piloted in 18 companies and six European countries.

The analysis identified several areas where Ortel could boost its resource efficiency and at the same time reduce its impact on the environment. 

Key results

The audit quickly revealed that Ortel's machinery was outmoded and running sub-optimally and its buildings were poorly insulated. Measures were implemented to address these issues. Closer inspection also highlighted inefficient behaviour by employees, in particular their treatment of water and energy around the plant. Efforts to promote energy consciousness tackled these issues. 

At the end of the follow-up consulting phase, the company managed to cut its total energy consumption by over 5 %, and employees were instructed in more efficient working practices, which opened the door for further resource efficiency improvements.