In a strategic move to drive sustainable innovation in manufacturing, Seco, a global leader in metal cutting solutions, has announced an innovative partnership with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre North West (AMRC) in Samlesbury, UK. This partnership aims to revolutionise sustainable machining through advanced data intelligence, offering manufacturers a new lens to view and optimise their environmental impact.

With its core mission of making manufacturing “fast, easy, and sustainable,” Seco is taking a significant step forward in addressing a growing challenge in the industry: the collection, analysis, and management of meaningful data to inform sustainability efforts. 

As future regulations place increasing emphasis on environmental accountability, machine-connected data is emerging as a critical asset for reducing carbon footprints and improving operational efficiency.

A Three-Layered Data Approach to Sustainable Machining

The joint initiative between Seco and AMRC focuses on creating a unified data ecosystem across three critical domains: the machine, its surrounding environment, and the broader facility. Leveraging Internet of Things (IoT) technology, industrial communications, and smart protocols, the system consolidates real-time data into a single source of truth for evaluating both energy usage and CO₂ emissions.

• At the machine level, the system performs hotspot analysis by monitoring sub-process energy consumption, cutting fluid usage, and material inputs. This data is translated into real-time cost and CO₂ metrics using dynamic carbon intensity and energy pricing factors.
  
• Within the machine environment, parameters such as humidity and temperature are monitored, providing insights into their impact on energy demands for maintaining ideal operating conditions.
  
• Across the facility, the monitoring platform identifies energy inefficiencies caused by factors such as ventilation choices or machine utilisation patterns, answering questions like whether open windows are driving up HVAC energy consumption or if machines are operating at optimal efficiency.
  

By evaluating the interconnections between these domains, manufacturers can unlock deeper diagnostics and get a holistic understanding of sustainability factors tailored to their unique context.

From Insights to Impact

This data-driven approach is already enabling Seco UK to analyse and refine machining programs by correlating specific operations with energy consumption and environmental impact. It empowers manufacturers to compare the CO₂e and energy profiles of various machines, components, or processes, driving smarter decision-making.

The partnership also integrates Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) capabilities, bridging environmental impact analysis with live machine data. This enables component-level sustainability scores and helps validate greener machining strategies.

Shaping the Future with AI-Powered Sustainability

Looking ahead, Seco envisions an AI-enabled, automated feedback system that continuously optimises manufacturing processes in real time. This system will balance productivity and cost with environmentally responsible practices, helping customers and the industry move closer to net-zero goals.

“As we work with the AMRC and our customers, we’re transforming comprehensive data intelligence into actionable sustainability,” said a Seco spokesperson. “This project is not only about visibility—it’s about empowering innovation and embedding sustainability deep within the design and execution of manufacturing.”

With operations in over 75 countries and nearly a century of excellence in high-precision machining, Seco continues to lead by example, reaffirming its commitment to a more digital, collaborative, and sustainable future.

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