3M Company now has 30 sites certified to ISO 50001, with 13 holding SEP certification

3M Company is using ISO 50001 and Superior Energy Performance (SEP) to help meet its ambitious 2025 climate and energy goals (to improve energy efficiency by 30% and achieve GHG emissions at least 50% below its 2002) while growing the business. This global Fortune 100 manufacturer now has 30 sites certified to ISO 50001—and 13 also hold SEP certification. As a result, the company continues to cut its operational costs, reduce emissions, and improve its energy performance.

Most impressively, 3M sites certified to ISO 50001 and SEP outperformed their non-certified peers by 4.2% from 2016 to 2018.

MAKING IT HAPPEN

• Pilot at a few sites: Back in 2011, 3M’s long-standing commitment to responsible environmental stewardship motivated the company to pilot SEP at two of its facilities (U.S. and Canadian). Savings at these two sites were significantly higher than at other 3M sites, inspiring corporate leadership to roll out ISO 50001 and SEP to additional sites.
• Grow savings using an enterprise approach: To expand on the energy savings achieved in the pilot, 3M adopted an enterprise-wide approach. A robust, centralized energy management system (EnMS) now serves multiple additional facilities, and has helped some certify to SEP in the United States and Canada.
• Increase internal EnMS expertise: To efficiently expand the benefits of ISO 50001 and SEP, several 3M staff pursued training and earned nationally-recognized credentials from the Institute of Energy Management Professionals (IEnMP). Outside experts also conducted two-day, in-house training on the U.S. Department of Energy’s 50001 Ready program and Navigator Tool to help more 3M facilities tee up their EnMS work. Employees throughout the company are now actively engaged in energy management as part of their daily activities.
• Leverage SEP's verification of energy performance improvements: The SEP program offers a nationally recognized, facility-wide measurement and verification protocol that produces consistent results, aiding third-party verification of energy performance improvements. Using these protocols, 3M now has accurate, verified data to demonstrate corporate and plant performance—leading to better decision making and results. 3M plans to use ISO 50001 in 23 of its most energy-intensive U.S. facilities.

BENEFITS

• Numbers talk: 3M’s ISO 50001 and SEP certified sites outpaced the energy efficiency improvement of other 3M facilities by 4.2% from 2016 to 2018.
• Verified savings: Collectively, 3M’s 13 sites that are certified to ISO 50001 and SEP improved their energy performance 4.2% from 2016-2018 — collectively reducing CO2e emissions by more than 165,600 metric tons and cutting energy use by nearly 944,300 million Btu. These facilities achieved an average energy cost reduction of 6.7%.
• Sustainability: 3M's ISO 50001 achievements contribute to sustainability goals and are included in the company's annual sustainability report and Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) reporting. In February 2019, 3M announced its commitment to move to 100% renewable electricity in all its facilities, starting with its headquarters. As part of the goal, 3M also joined the RE100, a global leadership initiative. 3M earned the Award of Excellence, a global award from the Clean Energy Ministerial, for its exceptional energy management. 
• Enterprise advantage: An enterprise-wide approach provides the following advantages:
  • Centralized system for common documents
  • Leveraged best practices and training
  • External audits conducted at sample sites only
  • Knowledge sharing among sites to reduce cost, time, and other resources
  • Common energy efficiency guidelines for design and procurement.
• Early and sustained leadership: 3M's commitment to sustainability improves customer satisfaction and brand image. ISO 50001 and SEP strengthen 3M's long history of managing energy. The company was among the first to earn SEP, and its two original pilot sites are now among the first to achieve certification for a third time.

LOOKING AHEAD

3M plans to certify 11 additional sites to ISO 50001 and SEP, including the following: 3M USA headquarters and 6 other U.S. sites, 3M Canada headquarters, 2 sites in Singapore, and 1 plant in Mexico. At the U.S. sites, 3M will use DOE’s 50001 Ready program and Navigator tool as well as utility incentives to prepare for ISO 50001 certification audits.

LEARN MORE

3M case study (30 sites in 7 countries), Energy Management Leadership Awards, 2019
3M Enterprise case study, Superior Energy Performance, 2017
3M USA case study, Energy Management Leadership Awards, 2017
3M Global case study, Energy Management Leadership Awards, 2016

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