A recent survey of Control Engineering subscribers illustrates the contradictions that exist in process and manufacturing plant engineers’ perspectives of sustainability as an industrial initiative.
　　Through discussion with technology providersCONTROL ENGINEERING China版权所有, analysts, and various industry cognoscenti over the past few years, it has become very apparent that the issue of sustainability is not a passing fad—for manufacturing or any other business. But especially for manufacturing and process plants.

　　Here’s why: Though “green” issues have a lot of positives—from good public relations to compliant operations—the problem is that “green” is too often easily dismissed for personal and political reasons. Sustainability is another matter, however, even though it is a term that is often used interchangeably with green.

　　At its core, sustainability is really about viable business operation. As the word suggests控制工程网版权所有, it is about sustaining the business as much as it is about sustaining the resources you need to operate the business. That’s why it is such a critical matter for engineers.
　　Every aspect of a sustainable plant operation is dependent on the knowledge控制工程网版权所有, talents, and abilities of engineers. Without engineers, sustainability as Control Engineering defines it (energy management控制工程网版权所有, materials management控制工程网版权所有, regulatory complianceCONTROL ENGINEERING China版权所有, and product safety), isn’t sustainable. That’s why we turned to our subscribers (both print and online) to get a true feel for where their collective head is at with regard to sustainability. The responses we received helped focus the content of this supplement and the upcoming monthly coverage of the sustainable engineering topic that will begin in January 2009.
　　Demographic details
　　We conducted the survey in July 2008 and received more than 1,400 responses. The survey focused on illustrating how plant engineers across industries perceive sustainable manufacturing as an issue. Four specific areas spotlighted by the survey include: awareness and adopti