Realizing industrial sustainability
Experte: Fernando Cruzado | 04/25/2024 | Teilen auf in
Mr. Cruzado, an EFESO event series is dedicated to the "heroes of sustainability transformation", for example in the chemical industry. What is the idea behind it?
FC: The idea is to expand the usual storytelling on sustainability topics in an industrial context. The focus is often on abstract figures and concepts, such as international targets, guidelines, or climate protection measures. However, when broken down to the everyday life of companies, there are real success stories that are worth telling. An enormous amount is being achieved here with different skills – in the development and use of technology, the implementation of the circular economy, supply chain transformations and in many other operational fields. These "hero stories" from the companies deserve attention.
In the case of the chemical industry, this sector is rightly referred to as the "mother of all industries" and chemistry is at the beginning of many value chains in other sectors of the economy. Accordingly, its products have a significant influence on everything that happens in this value chain – including, of course, the issue of sustainability. For example, with recycling solutions that advance the circular economy or with robust, lightweight materials for innovations in the field of renewable energies. In our view, this industry therefore plays a special "hero role" in the sustainability transformation, but it is not alone. Especially when it comes to the circular economy, for example, an eco-system of partners is often necessary to close the loop.
Expanding your own scope for action with new partnerships is also a practicable approach in other industries. What similarities do you see between the heroes of sustainability transformation? What characterizes their success?
FC: We have identified three success factors from working with companies that are setting standards in this area: for example, it is essential to ensure a secure supply of recyclable materials and the provision of suitable technology. What sounds simple is in reality a complex achievement: e.g., in return processes, efficient sampling of incoming materials, quality assurance or supplier payment. Having very well-functioning, profitable processes in this area is also critical to success in order to be an attractive partner for suppliers of recyclate products.
Transformation heroes also realize win-win models with customers and partners. A strong will to implement is an important driver here to consistently pursue the chosen course. This not only mobilizes appropriately qualified resources. At the same time, it generally creates a secure working framework in which the sharing of sensitive data and technologies works without additional security loops – an important prerequisite for achieving agile progress.
The third factor is the establishment of regionally focused partnerships. Within Europe in particular, waste transportation is heavily regulated, making local solutions easier and quicker to implement.
Many companies have set themselves long-term goals, for example for 2030 or 2050. How do you counter the risk of the commitment to sustainability falling out of focus and waning during this period?
FC: In many cases, legislation provides the necessary external pressure to prevent this from happening. Furthermore, expectations from the market and from end customers lead to the corresponding voluntary commitments. Nevertheless, when looking to the future, the figures are abstract. Best practice companies therefore break down their goals: They spread them across many shoulders, transforming the abstract into concrete task packages that make employees, teams, departments, and plants comprehensibly accountable.
Incidentally, this also presents a communication challenge. For example, what does it mean in concrete terms for individual organizational units to be "carbon neutral" by 2030? What contribution does each unit have to make? Many heroes define their goals and milestones according to the formula "ambitious but realistic". And ultimately, even with a broad time horizon, the journey must start now, with very specific measures.
