Expanding value creation networks and gaining sovereignty
How will companies operate in the future, which value creation models will ensure future viability, sovereignty and prosperity in Germany? And what does this mean for the world of work and employees? The global drivers of transformation are also shaping change in Germany as a business location: Digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI), climate and resource protection, as well as geopolitical and demographic developments – all of these are increasingly transforming linear value creation models into networked, resilient value creation networks. The development towards a circular economy as an important design field is accelerating the shift away from linear logic by closing recycling chains to material and energy cycles. This also entails organizational changes for companies and the world of work, as the future of work and value creation must be designed to be socially, economically and ecologically sustainable in equal measure.
BatteryPass – an overview of the entire battery value chain
Digital product passports (DPP) can pave the way for companies to enter new, sustainable value creation models. At the same time, consumers benefit from greater product transparency, which creates a broader basis for valid purchasing decisions. The BatteryPass consortium project is dedicated to seamless documentation of the entire battery life cycle in order to make batteries more sustainable, more cost-effective and less dependent on external raw material supplies. The BatteryPass can thus become a blueprint for the added value of digital product passports, which will be mandatory from 2027.
On the one hand, the battery passport offers companies effective ways of quantifying cost reductions and resource savings. On the other hand, it points the way to new and sustainable business models for additional value creation. An important step that leaves no doubt about the importance of digital product passports for the successful implementation of digital and sustainable transformation.
Circular economy principles are key to a sustainable economic system. We now need to ensure that these principles are widely adopted in practice. Ultimately, we need a circular economy if we are to meet our climate and sustainability targets, both in Germany and throughout the EU, especially in the context of the European Green Deal.
HR Circle: Science and business are committed to the working world of tomorrow
The think tank for the world of work puts the future of work in its entirety on the agenda. Leading minds from the HR management of tech and service companies contribute their operational expertise and corporate strategy perspective. Distinguished academics supplement this with the latest scientific findings from the fields of ergonomics, business administration and corporate organization, among others. This benefits the topics with the greatest transformation potential, which are discussed holistically and with a condensed solution orientation in the #FutureWorkDebate series, for example. They range from artificial intelligence in HR work and the role of human resources and chief human resources officers in shaping the transformation to green transformation and the promotion of specialist careers.
Dialogue platform for recycled raw materials: Recycling for a resilient supply of raw materials
Secondary raw materials for a sovereign and sustainable supply of raw materials for the German economy: The Recycling Raw Materials Dialogue Platform looked at how recycling can secure the availability of mineral raw materials and expand them as part of the circular economy. The focus was on metals and industrial minerals. In a two-year multi-stakeholder dialog with industry, science, administration and civil society, the dialog platform developed concrete options for action for eight selected material flows.
Until 2022, the Circular Economy Initiative was commissioned by the BMBF to investigate how a sustainable circular economy can find answers to multiple crises in climate, resource use, biodiversity and global health. How can material and energy cycles be closed and what potential can be harnessed for players along new, networked value chains? With broad commitment from business, science and civil society, the focus was placed on the framework conditions for a circular economy – and a Circular Economy Roadmap was developed that shows a common vision for a circular economy in 2030.
The principles of the circular economy are a key lever for a sustainable economic system. The task now is to anchor these principles in practice. After all, we need a circular economy if we want to achieve our climate and sustainability goals – in Germany but also across the EU, not least with a view to the European Green Deal.“
