Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT
Durability, reusability, and a smaller environmental footprint are no longer just customer expectations – they are already mandated by regulation. The European Union’s Circular Economy Action Plan and Ecodesign Regulation are raising the bar for sustainable products and manufacturing processes.
At the same time, companies are expected to ensure environmental and social standards throughout the entire supply chain – from raw material sourcing to end customers. The German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act requires thorough documentation and proactive measures to mitigate environmental risks and uphold human rights. These sustainability goals are understandable, but where and how should companies begin implementing them?
And beyond the mandatory regulations, it is important to remember: sustainability should not be an end in itself – it can be economically beneficial for your business.
From obligation to opportunity: sustainability as a competitive advantage
Identify promising technologies early on and rethink your business models. We start with strategy and innovation management and work with you to uncover technological potential that will help make your business competitive and resilient in future markets.
Finding the needle in the haystack with the right data
One of the major hurdles in transitioning to sustainable production is data quality. Often, the level of detail, measurability, and timeliness required for meaningful environmental assessments is lacking. This makes reliable sustainability evaluations more difficult.
At the same time, the sustainability reports required by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) often lack the detail needed to identify specific technological improvements and to design effective process controls.
We know where production data is generated, how to collect it efficiently, and how to leverage it through collaborative data spaces and digital twins.