Sustainability is no longer optional – the report shows how leading companies are adapting and what’s needed next. Symetri introduces new findings from our latest sustainability survey, offering valuable insights into the current state of sustainability within the manufacturing sector.
Government regulations, especially the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), are the primary drivers behind the increased focus on sustainability. 67.5% of surveyed companies are already impacted by CSRD, with 55.6% actively preparing for compliance.
While the importance of sustainability is growing, most manufacturers are still early in their reporting journey. 45% of companies use collected sustainability data primarily for compliance purposes, indicating a strong need for better tools and practices to advance from compliance to proactive decision-making and product design.
Manufacturers use different methods to measure sustainability data. The study found that businesses prioritize material- and weight-based emissions calculations (55%) over spend-based methods (35%). According to the study, spend-based calculations don’t offer the level of granularity businesses need.
Digital solutions such as Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems are playing an increasingly important role. 83% of companies with PLM systems expect to rely on them for sustainability data collection and reporting within the next three years. Integrating PLM with ERP systems is critical to achieving high-quality, actionable sustainability insights.
Scope 3 emissions (measuring indirect emissions from the supply chain) present a complex challenge. Companies are focusing their efforts on measuring energy consumption, material weight and composition, waste management, and logistics to achieve more accurate and meaningful reporting.
" At Symetri, we believe that collaboration is the key to sustainable transformation. We are proud to partner with our customers, combining our digital technology expertise with their ambitions to create smarter, more sustainable manufacturing practices. Together, we are building a future where innovation and sustainability go hand in hand." says Jens Kollserud, the CEO at Symetri.
At Symetri, we are dedicated to supporting our customers in turning sustainability goals into measurable actions. Through our solutions, including Sovelia Core PLM, we help organizations stay ahead of regulatory requirements, reduce environmental impact, and strengthen their market leadership through sustainable practices. Our approach integrates digital workflows that reduce costs, cut carbon emissions, and support the industry's decarbonization journey.
The findings are based on interviews conducted at the end of 2024 and a structured online survey in January 2025 with manufacturing companies across sectors such as industrial equipment, construction, transportation, and marine industries.
Learn more and download the full report here
State of Sustainability in Manufacturing - Sovelia Sustainability Report 2025
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