What should everybody know about Nelamangala?
Nelamangala is on the outskirts of Bangalore in the state of Karnataka. We’re famous for our temples, but you would likely be more familiar with Bangalore - an international hub for technology, manufacturing and electronics often called the Silicon Valley of India!
Our site has almost 1,700 employees and a state-of-the-art facility spread over more than 55,000 square meters that manufactures electrification, robotic, motion and automation solutions for a variety of industries. We’re also one of the first smart factories in Bangalore to produce ABB’s Smart Power products.
What’s your Mission to Zero journey so far?
The facility has successfully transitioned to 100% renewable electricity. We have reduced Scope 1 & 2 emissions by approximately 92% compared to the 2019 baseline. ABB solutions like our Building Management System (BMS) and ABB AbilityTM have enabled us to manage our energy use more efficiently.
Overall, energy efficiency enhancements are integral: we have optimized our lighting system, taking advantage of more natural light to reduce the use of artificial lighting. We also upgraded our HVAC system with the latest ABB IE4 motors and electrified our vehicle fleet. Circularity, a key pillar of the ABB sustainability strategy, is also a priority for us, we are diverting more than 99.9% of waste from landfills. Most importantly, none of this would be possible without our people.
How are ABB people responding to the call to action?
Mission To Zero is possible because of the collective effort of our colleagues who care about making a difference. We formed “Samyukth,” which means collaboration in Sanskrit- a group to drive sustainability initiatives made up of team members from across functions.
These teams work together on energy audits, waste reduction programs, and emissions monitoring. Recently, they’re working on optimizing packaging with less material and experimenting with bio-degradable & recycled plastics.
How is Nelamangala making its water usage more sustainable?
We were the first ABB location globally to be certified as a water positive facility, meaning we go beyond just conserving water to return more freshwater to the environment than we use. We harvest rainwater and recycle around 88% of treated water within our premises, replenishing our water approximately 1.24 times faster than we consume it. We’ve also increased groundwater levels in our local community by more than 30 meters over the past 3 years.
Why is water positivity so important?
Like many other regions in the global south, Bangalore is a water stressed area where groundwater levels are depleting. A reliable water supply is essential for resilient operations and ecosystems. We implemented advanced rainwater harvesting technology to maintain and replenish groundwater wherever possible.
We achieved the 88% recyclability rate thanks to an efficient sewage treatment plant which allows us to recycle treated wastewater for landscaping and plumbing. These combined efforts reduced strain on local groundwater, which rose 33 meters total over a period of 3 years.
How important is sustainability to customers in India?
India is one of the fastest growing economies, on track to become third in the world, due in part to the growth in our manufacturing GDP. With a national net-zero target by 2070, lowering the environmental impact of operations is a priority for us as well as for our customers. It’s important that we lead by example when it comes to sustainable operations as a supplier to our customers.
Customers are also seeking solutions that reduce their environmental footprint, lower energy costs, and support long-term sustainability goals. Our focus on electrification, digitalization, and automation directly supports these needs by enabling energy-efficient, low-carbon manufacturing processes. This isn’t just a preference, it’s a strategic imperative for ABB’s customers in India, especially those committed to future-ready, sustainable operations.
What is next for Nelamangala?
Two key milestones we will be focusing on are on-site solar generation and water stewardship, so the next steps in our renewable energy and water positivity achievements. We are also electrifying our fleet for our finished goods and components “milk run” approach, delivering and collecting goods in pick-up runs instead of having lots of individual shipments.
Partnerships are the key to success, and we are focusing on engaging our suppliers and logistics partners to establish a more sustainable supply chain. Mission to Zero is an ongoing journey, and we will continue to innovate to reduce emissions across the value chain, meet the growing demand of our customers, and power the move toward a net-zero future.
