GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sustainability In The Secondary Industry Statistics

Secondary industry reduces emissions and waste through sustainable practices and innovations.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Use of recycled materials in secondary industry manufacturing can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50%

Statistic 2

The adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies has the potential to reduce secondary industry emissions by 20-30%

Statistic 3

Green procurement policies in secondary industries can lead to 15-20% reductions in environmental impact

Statistic 4

Utilizing alternative fuels in cement production can cut CO2 emissions by approximately 10%

Statistic 5

Eco-design practices can reduce material use in secondary manufacturing processes by up to 25%

Statistic 6

The implementation of circular economy principles in manufacturing can reduce waste by 60%

Statistic 7

The use of renewable energy sources in secondary manufacturing has grown by nearly 15% annually over the past five years

Statistic 8

Implementing sustainable sourcing in the secondary industry can lead to a 12% reduction in overall environmental impacts

Statistic 9

Adoption of zero-waste manufacturing practices can reduce industrial waste disposal by up to 80%

Statistic 10

The use of digital twins in secondary industries can optimize resource use and reduce emissions by 10-25%

Statistic 11

Full transition to sustainable energy sources in manufacturing could reduce industry emissions by up to 50%

Statistic 12

Increasing adoption of biodegradable packaging in secondary industry reduces plastic waste by an estimated 20%

Statistic 13

Circular economy practices in secondary industries have led to a 25% reduction in raw material consumption globally

Statistic 14

The adoption of cleaner production techniques in secondary industries can decrease pollutant emissions by 40%

Statistic 15

The global paint and coatings industry contributes roughly 1.1% of industrial greenhouse gases

Statistic 16

Transitioning to eco-friendly raw materials in secondary manufacturing can result in a 20-30% reduction in environmental impacts

Statistic 17

The global textile industry produces over 100 billion kilograms of wastewater annually

Statistic 18

The renewable energy share in secondary industry operations increased from 5% in 2010 to over 20% in 2022

Statistic 19

The secondary industry’s carbon footprint reduction goals have increased by 25% globally over the past five years

Statistic 20

Use of low-impact raw materials in secondary manufacturing reduces associated environmental impacts by approximately 18%

Statistic 21

Sustainable practices in the secondary industry can lead to a 12% increase in brand value and consumer preference

Statistic 22

The cement industry’s adoption of carbon capture and storage technology could potentially reduce emissions by around 30%

Statistic 23

60% of secondary industries report investing in sustainability initiatives as part of their corporate strategy

Statistic 24

The secondary manufacturing industry’s use of renewable bio-based raw materials increased by 12% between 2015 and 2022

Statistic 25

Secondary industry sectors such as chemical and metal manufacturing are implementing sustainability standards at a rate exceeding 15% annually

Statistic 26

The average lifespan of industrial equipment for secondary industry has increased by 25% due to maintenance and upgrade practices aimed at sustainability

Statistic 27

In 2023, over 60% of secondary industry firms reported setting targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Statistic 28

The global chemical industry’s energy consumption can be reduced by up to 20% through implementation of best practices

Statistic 29

The use of digital supply chains in secondary manufacturing can cut logistics-related carbon emissions by approximately 15%

Statistic 30

The secondary industry’s adoption of eco-labeling and certification programs has increased by 10% annually, enhancing consumer trust

Statistic 31

The share of secondary industry companies reporting sustainability as a core value has risen to 65% globally as of 2023

Statistic 32

Waste minimization programs in secondary industries are projected to reduce waste by 30% within five years

Statistic 33

The implementation of sustainable water management practices in secondary industries can reduce water use by up to 25%

Statistic 34

Transitioning to low-emission transportation fuels for logistics in secondary industries could cut transport emissions by 20-25%

Statistic 35

The use of eco-friendly dyes in textile secondary industry reduces chemical runoff by approximately 35%

Statistic 36

Many secondary industries have reported reductions in their energy costs by up to 15% after implementing sustainable practices

Statistic 37

Sustainable industrial symbiosis projects have saved over 10 million tons of CO2 annually through resource sharing

Statistic 38

Sustainability reporting among secondary industries has increased by 15% annually over the last five years

Statistic 39

The energy efficiency measures in secondary industries have prevented an estimated 150 million tons of CO2 emissions in 2022

Statistic 40

The secondary industry accounts for approximately 21% of global CO2 emissions

Statistic 41

The secondary industry contributes to approximately 12% of global freshwater withdrawal

Statistic 42

The global clothing manufacturing sector is responsible for around 10% of global carbon emissions

Statistic 43

The manufacturing sector contributes about 18% of total global energy consumption

Statistic 44

Steel manufacturing accounts for nearly 7% of global CO2 emissions within the secondary industry

Statistic 45

In 2022, approximately 30% of plastic waste generated globally originated from secondary industry manufacturing waste

Statistic 46

Around 40% of global water usage is linked to manufacturing processes in secondary industries

Statistic 47

The secondary sector’s waste generation accounts for approximately 25% of the total industrial waste

Statistic 48

The carbon footprint of cement manufacturing accounts for around 8% of total global emissions

Statistic 49

The global industrial wastewater generation is projected to reach 2.2 billion cubic meters per day by 2030

Statistic 50

The recycling industry globally processes over 650 million tons of metals annually

Statistic 51

Industrial energy efficiency improvements can result in annual savings of over 30 exajoules worldwide

Statistic 52

The secondary industry in developed countries has reduced its energy intensity by approximately 15% over the past decade

Statistic 53

The adoption of sustainable business models in secondary sectors has correlated with an 8% increase in profitability

Statistic 54

The global primary aluminum production now includes over 20% recycled content, sourced from secondary industry

Statistic 55

The global industrial sector's shift toward renewable energy is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11% through 2028

Statistic 56

The adoption of energy-efficient machinery in secondary industries can reduce energy consumption by up to 25%

Statistic 57

Energy efficiency measures in the secondary industry can result in cost savings of up to 15%

Statistic 58

Advanced manufacturing techniques have improved material utilization efficiency by up to 30%

Statistic 59

Resource efficiency initiatives in secondary industries can reduce material costs by 10-15%

Statistic 60

Integrating IoT solutions in secondary industries can improve resource efficiency by up to 20%

Statistic 61

Green innovation in secondary industries can increase productivity by 10-15%

Statistic 62

The energy intensity of secondary industries has decreased by approximately 20% in the last decade due to efficiency measures

Statistic 63

Industrial automation adoption in secondary manufacturing is expected to grow by 8% annually through 2030

Statistic 64

Over 50% of secondary industry manufacturing processes have integrated some level of automation to optimize resource use

Statistic 65

Recycling rates for metals like aluminum in secondary manufacturing are over 70%

Statistic 66

Globally, secondary industry waste that is recycled increases by approximately 10% annually

Statistic 67

The global metal recycling rate is projected to increase by 5% annually over the next decade

Statistic 68

Approximately 40% of secondary industry waste is suitable for recycling or reuse, leading to potential for significant material savings

Statistic 69

About 25% of secondary industry waste is currently being valorized or converted into higher-value products

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Key Highlights

The secondary industry accounts for approximately 21% of global CO2 emissions
The manufacturing sector contributes about 18% of total global energy consumption
Steel manufacturing accounts for nearly 7% of global CO2 emissions within the secondary industry
In 2022, approximately 30% of plastic waste generated globally originated from secondary industry manufacturing waste
The adoption of energy-efficient machinery in secondary industries can reduce energy consumption by up to 25%
Around 40% of global water usage is linked to manufacturing processes in secondary industries
The secondary sector’s waste generation accounts for approximately 25% of the total industrial waste
Recycling rates for metals like aluminum in secondary manufacturing are over 70%
Use of recycled materials in secondary industry manufacturing can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50%
The adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies has the potential to reduce secondary industry emissions by 20-30%
Green procurement policies in secondary industries can lead to 15-20% reductions in environmental impact
The carbon footprint of cement manufacturing accounts for around 8% of total global emissions
Utilizing alternative fuels in cement production can cut CO2 emissions by approximately 10%

As the secondary industry is responsible for nearly a fifth of global CO2 emissions and generates vast amounts of waste and water usage, embracing sustainable practices and innovative technologies is crucial to transforming manufacturing’s environmental footprint and securing a greener future.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability Initiatives

Use of recycled materials in secondary industry manufacturing can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50%
The adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies has the potential to reduce secondary industry emissions by 20-30%
Green procurement policies in secondary industries can lead to 15-20% reductions in environmental impact
Utilizing alternative fuels in cement production can cut CO2 emissions by approximately 10%
Eco-design practices can reduce material use in secondary manufacturing processes by up to 25%
The implementation of circular economy principles in manufacturing can reduce waste by 60%
The use of renewable energy sources in secondary manufacturing has grown by nearly 15% annually over the past five years
Implementing sustainable sourcing in the secondary industry can lead to a 12% reduction in overall environmental impacts
Adoption of zero-waste manufacturing practices can reduce industrial waste disposal by up to 80%
The use of digital twins in secondary industries can optimize resource use and reduce emissions by 10-25%
Full transition to sustainable energy sources in manufacturing could reduce industry emissions by up to 50%
Increasing adoption of biodegradable packaging in secondary industry reduces plastic waste by an estimated 20%
Circular economy practices in secondary industries have led to a 25% reduction in raw material consumption globally
The adoption of cleaner production techniques in secondary industries can decrease pollutant emissions by 40%
The global paint and coatings industry contributes roughly 1.1% of industrial greenhouse gases
Transitioning to eco-friendly raw materials in secondary manufacturing can result in a 20-30% reduction in environmental impacts
The global textile industry produces over 100 billion kilograms of wastewater annually
The renewable energy share in secondary industry operations increased from 5% in 2010 to over 20% in 2022
The secondary industry’s carbon footprint reduction goals have increased by 25% globally over the past five years
Use of low-impact raw materials in secondary manufacturing reduces associated environmental impacts by approximately 18%
Sustainable practices in the secondary industry can lead to a 12% increase in brand value and consumer preference
The cement industry’s adoption of carbon capture and storage technology could potentially reduce emissions by around 30%
60% of secondary industries report investing in sustainability initiatives as part of their corporate strategy
The secondary manufacturing industry’s use of renewable bio-based raw materials increased by 12% between 2015 and 2022
Secondary industry sectors such as chemical and metal manufacturing are implementing sustainability standards at a rate exceeding 15% annually
The average lifespan of industrial equipment for secondary industry has increased by 25% due to maintenance and upgrade practices aimed at sustainability
In 2023, over 60% of secondary industry firms reported setting targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions
The global chemical industry’s energy consumption can be reduced by up to 20% through implementation of best practices
The use of digital supply chains in secondary manufacturing can cut logistics-related carbon emissions by approximately 15%
The secondary industry’s adoption of eco-labeling and certification programs has increased by 10% annually, enhancing consumer trust
The share of secondary industry companies reporting sustainability as a core value has risen to 65% globally as of 2023
Waste minimization programs in secondary industries are projected to reduce waste by 30% within five years
The implementation of sustainable water management practices in secondary industries can reduce water use by up to 25%
Transitioning to low-emission transportation fuels for logistics in secondary industries could cut transport emissions by 20-25%
The use of eco-friendly dyes in textile secondary industry reduces chemical runoff by approximately 35%
Many secondary industries have reported reductions in their energy costs by up to 15% after implementing sustainable practices
Sustainable industrial symbiosis projects have saved over 10 million tons of CO2 annually through resource sharing
Sustainability reporting among secondary industries has increased by 15% annually over the last five years
The energy efficiency measures in secondary industries have prevented an estimated 150 million tons of CO2 emissions in 2022

Environmental Impact and Sustainability Initiatives Interpretation

As secondary industries increasingly embrace recycled materials, Industry 4.0, and circular economy principles, they are proving that sustainability isn't just good for the planet—it's also a smart investment, with emissions reductions reaching up to 50%, waste down by 60%, and brand values soaring as global companies shift gears towards greener, cleaner manufacturing.

Industry Contribution

The secondary industry accounts for approximately 21% of global CO2 emissions
The secondary industry contributes to approximately 12% of global freshwater withdrawal
The global clothing manufacturing sector is responsible for around 10% of global carbon emissions

Industry Contribution Interpretation

While the secondary industry undeniably fuels our modern lifestyle, its substantial share of CO2 emissions, freshwater use, and particularly the textile sector’s 10% contribution to global carbon output underscore the urgent need for cleaner, more sustainable manufacturing practices to ensure our environment doesn’t become the next casualty of our progress.

Industry Contribution and Sector Overview

The manufacturing sector contributes about 18% of total global energy consumption
Steel manufacturing accounts for nearly 7% of global CO2 emissions within the secondary industry
In 2022, approximately 30% of plastic waste generated globally originated from secondary industry manufacturing waste
Around 40% of global water usage is linked to manufacturing processes in secondary industries
The secondary sector’s waste generation accounts for approximately 25% of the total industrial waste
The carbon footprint of cement manufacturing accounts for around 8% of total global emissions
The global industrial wastewater generation is projected to reach 2.2 billion cubic meters per day by 2030
The recycling industry globally processes over 650 million tons of metals annually
Industrial energy efficiency improvements can result in annual savings of over 30 exajoules worldwide
The secondary industry in developed countries has reduced its energy intensity by approximately 15% over the past decade
The adoption of sustainable business models in secondary sectors has correlated with an 8% increase in profitability
The global primary aluminum production now includes over 20% recycled content, sourced from secondary industry
The global industrial sector's shift toward renewable energy is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11% through 2028

Industry Contribution and Sector Overview Interpretation

While secondary industries are responsible for a significant share of global energy use and emissions—such as manufacturing accounting for 18% of energy consumption and steel production contributing nearly 7% of CO₂ emissions—they also hold immense potential for sustainability gains, exemplified by over 650 million tons of metals recycled annually and a promising 11% annual growth in renewable energy adoption; thus, transforming these sectors from environmental culprits to catalysts of green progress requires both strategic innovation and collective commitment.

Technological Adoption and Efficiency Measures

The adoption of energy-efficient machinery in secondary industries can reduce energy consumption by up to 25%
Energy efficiency measures in the secondary industry can result in cost savings of up to 15%
Advanced manufacturing techniques have improved material utilization efficiency by up to 30%
Resource efficiency initiatives in secondary industries can reduce material costs by 10-15%
Integrating IoT solutions in secondary industries can improve resource efficiency by up to 20%
Green innovation in secondary industries can increase productivity by 10-15%
The energy intensity of secondary industries has decreased by approximately 20% in the last decade due to efficiency measures
Industrial automation adoption in secondary manufacturing is expected to grow by 8% annually through 2030
Over 50% of secondary industry manufacturing processes have integrated some level of automation to optimize resource use

Technological Adoption and Efficiency Measures Interpretation

Embracing energy-efficient technologies and automation in secondary industries not only boosts productivity and cuts costs—sometimes by up to 15%—but also marks a decisive step toward sustainable manufacturing, proving that going green isn't just good for the planet, but savvy business strategy.

Waste Management and Recycling

Recycling rates for metals like aluminum in secondary manufacturing are over 70%
Globally, secondary industry waste that is recycled increases by approximately 10% annually
The global metal recycling rate is projected to increase by 5% annually over the next decade
Approximately 40% of secondary industry waste is suitable for recycling or reuse, leading to potential for significant material savings
About 25% of secondary industry waste is currently being valorized or converted into higher-value products

Waste Management and Recycling Interpretation

With over 70% of aluminum and other metals recycled in secondary industries and a promising 40% of waste ripe for reuse, the momentum is clear: as recycling rates climb and waste is valorized, the secondary industry stands on the brink of turning environmental responsibility into substantial resource efficiency.