Zentrum für Industrie und Nachhaltigkeit (ZIN)

Electrification contributes to the defossilisation of the energy supply and in the mobility sector, the expansion of electromobility is an important step. Moreover, batteries play a role beyond the mobility sector as they can also be used to temporarily store electricity from renewable energy sources and there are plans to increase the number of battery storage systems throughout Germany. 🔋 Reason enough to take a closer look at batteries and their value chain and keep an eye on the trends. The article "International M&A transaction volumes along the battery value chain: Strategic investment implications" recently published in the Journal of Business Chemistry helps with this. The research group consisting of Tim Greitemeier, Carina Albrecht, Reba Brockington, Sebastian Eggers, Lars Hansner, Niklas Karl Kamp, Hauke Simon and Simon Lux provides an in-depth analysis of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in the global battery market as a tool for monitoring the innovation strategies of global enterprises in the various regional key markets. Their data facilitate the identification of various trends within the value chain and international competition. For investors they draw the following conclusions: 👉 Investors should diversify their investments to mitigate risks and enhance returns. The less prominent value chain segments – pack manufacturing and recycling – present a promising avenue for growth and innovation, particularly recycling due to its increasing necessity. 👉 Target investment regions differ by segment, as primary production expertise resides in the APAC region, indicating a key market to watch for technology trends. Conversely, the latter segments of the value chain are predominantly in North America, suggesting that investments in the US are favourable for these areas. 🔽 Have look at the complete article. 🔽 More articles from the October issue of JoBC can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gUGPm4R #Lithium #Batteries #Thinkingindustrynew Andrea Kanzler-Hernandez

We have our third Ph.D.! 🥳🎉 This summer, our former colleague Janine Heck successfully defended her dissertation “Transition towards a climate-neutral chemical industry”. Congratulations from the whole team! 🎓 Want to know more about Janine´s research? Three papers based on the thesis have been published: ▶ Greenhouse gas neutrality: A qualitative analysis of perceived sustainability tensions in the German chemical industry, Janine Heck, Stephan von Delft, Jens Leker https://lnkd.in/e4xunyvz ▶ Early evidence of a transition towards sustainability-oriented decision-making in the chemical industry in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland: A choice-based conjoint analysis, Janine Heck, Lars Jahnke, Jens Leker https://lnkd.in/eS_HzCGg ▶ Industrial symbiosis as enabler and barrier for defossilization: The case of Höchst Industrial Park, Janine Heck, Hannes Utikal, Jens Leker https://lnkd.in/ei_XJGX4 The dissertation was written in cooperation with the Institute of Business Administration at the Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy (IfbM) at the University of Münster and supervised by Jens Leker. Thanks for another great and certainly not the last cooperation between Frankfurt and Münster! 📸 For once, Münster Castle instead of industrial park Höchst... #Thinkingindustrynew 

🏭 Industry transformation represents a crucial yet often overlooked element in the journey towards a more sustainable future. We are pleased to see the topic represented in the recently established Climate Council of Frankfurt. Of course, we are especially proud that Hannes Utikal, project leader of the Process4Sustainability cluster, is contributing his expertise to this area. 💡 The Climate Council of Frankfurt was established to advise the city's politicians and administration on climate protection and adaptation. It comprises 10 experts in key areas such as renewable energy and sustainable mobility. The members of the Climate Council and their main areas of expertise are ◾ Prof. Paola Alfaro-d’Alençon, Sustainable urban planning and development / climate-friendly construction  ◾ Dr. Ralf Becherer, Transformation science  ◾ Prof. Joachim Curtius, Climate science  ◾ Dr. Christine Gruening, Climate financing  ◾ Dr. Julia Krohmer, Climate and biodiversity  ◾ Prof. Martin L., Mobility research  ◾ Dr. Thomas Seifert, (Serial) energy-efficient refurbishment / heat transition  ◾ Prof. Carolina Tranchita, Renewable energies / electricity transition  ◾ Prof. Hannes Utikal, Industry transformation  ◾ Dr.-Ing. Martina Winker, Hydrology / climate change adaptation We look forward to working together. 🙌  Infraserv GmbH & Co. Höchst KG Provadis Hochschule Tina Zapf-Rodríguez Hessen Trade & Invest GmbH

🌱 𝐒𝐔𝐒𝐜𝐮𝐛𝐞 – 𝐀𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 The growing importance of sustainability is accompanied by an increased demand and exchange of sustainability data and information, both along the value chain and within a company. Until now, this has often been done using a variety of Excel files, often by different people, which can be slow and error-prone. Sustainability data management is not only important from an external perspective, but is also necessary for managing companies in the context of binding sustainability targets, identifying improvement potential in production processes, prioritising investments and developing the product portfolio towards sustainability. In a recent article in the practitioner`s section of the Journal of Business Chemistry, Martin Kirchner, Frank Martin Petrat, Marvin Graf and Oliver M. Busch present Evonik Oxeno's solution for reliable and credible sustainability data, a Power Bi-based dashboard called "SUScube". The core of SUScube is based on an externally certified Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) model of the Oxeno sites in Marl and Antwerp. The authors focus in particular on describing the functionalities of SUScube. ⬇ Take a look at the article. ⬇ #thinkingindustrynew #chemicalindustry #datamanagement

𝐀𝐧 𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠. ☕ Soon it will be time for the annual climate conference. COP 29 will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11 November to 22 November 2024. In the run-up to the conference, the UN Climate Change Learning Partnership (UN CC: Learn) is once again offering the popular Climate Classroom format. The Climate Classroom is a short, interactive learning experience designed to help those attending or following climate meetings to quickly get up to speed on key climate issues. Learning is also an important concern for the Process4Sustainability cluster. Our focus is on the transformation of the industry, but at the same time it is important to think outside the box to understand the bigger picture. So, refresh and expand your climate knowledge with the following courses: ◾ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – Third Time’s the Charm? with the World Resources Institute, 30 October, 2pm CET ◾ Reducing emissions to address climate change: current trends and commitments, 31 October, 3pm CET ◾ Systems Change Lab, 1 November, 2pm CET ◾ Global Stocktake and Climate Finance, 1 November, 4pm CET ◾ Loss and Damage: Updates on the Fund and Board, 10am CET ◾ Climate Change and Human Rights, 4 November, 2pm CET ◾ Inclusive Entrepreneurship for Climate Action, 9am, CET ◾ Climate Change Negotiations and Health, 1pm CET ◾ Integrating nature in NAPs, 10am CET ◾ Climate Services for Climate Action, 2pm CET 👉 More information and registration: https://lnkd.in/dZhQnvVH #COP29 #climateaction #thinkingindustrynew

📢 Publication alert - Industrial symbiosis as enabler and barrier for defossilization: The case of Höchst Industrial Park    ✅ What we know:   Industrial symbiosis helps to produce more without using extra energy or resources, making it crucial for the energy- and resource-intensive process industries. At Höchst industrial park, a network of symbiotic relationships has developed over the years, improving resource efficiency. However, to meet climate targets, more sustainable energy and raw materials are needed despite reduced GHG emissions.    ❓ What we do NOT know:   How may established symbiotic relationships affect the transformation of an existing industrial park?  In our new study, Janine Heck, Hannes Utikal and Jens Leker analyse the transformation of Höchst industrial park from the perspective of industrial symbiosis as an ‘enabler’ or ‘barrier’ to defossilisation.  🛑 Barriers to transformation include: Different intended speed of transformation at the site or lack of clarity about (intermediate) GHG reduction targets at the site level. 🚀 Enablers to transformation include: Sharing costs and closing regional resource loops. 🤝 Stakeholder coordination: One answer to the barriers to transformation is the complex interplay between formal and informal coordination at the industrial park. Joint decision-making on strategic priorities at the park level promotes coordinated change.  In addition, the authors show how a defossilised energy supply in the industrial park could look, which new symbiotic relationships could develop and highlight the role of stakeholder management. Check out the new article published in Environmental Technology & Innovation for further insights 👉 https://lnkd.in/ei_XJGX4. We look forward to hearing your thoughts.  👋 Perhaps we will meet this week at the 2nd A.SPIRE Process Industry Conference "Shaping the Transformation" on 23 and 24 October in Brussels? The Process4Sustainability cluster will be representing the Hesse region and we are already looking forward to the conference. #thinkingindustrynew #processindustries Michael Dr. Weber Reem Mahmoud Nadine Stöcker An C. Bernd Oellermann Provadis Hochschule EIT Manufacturing Florian Ausfelder Dorota Pawlucka Hubs4Circularity Community of Practice Antonius Schroeder Oliver Lade Prof. Dr. Peter Holm Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ralf Ehret Katharina Rak Laurent Hanssen René Slaghek Dr. Marcel Loewert VCW - Vereinigung für Chemie und Wirtschaft

𝐈𝐇𝐊 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞. 𝐃𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐤𝐫ä𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐤𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬. 👩🔧👨🏭 The growing demand for skilled workers, triggered by digital transformation and demographic change, presents every company with challenges that can have a significant impact on the economic success of a business location. Companies in the metropolitan region repeatedly cite the issue of skilled labour as a clear challenge for their location. The Frankfurt am Main Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) is taking this issue of its members as an opportunity and is inviting to the event “IHK creates future”. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐭! Hannes Utikal will represent ZIN and Provadis Hochschule in Expert Forum 11, which will focus on how to effectively recruit and train skilled workers for the demands of a sustainable economy. He will share his experiences from the Process4Sustainability cluster. We look forward to exchanging ideas with all participants and the other speakers in Expert Forum 11. Sascha Gutzeit Carolle Müller Krischan Ostenrath Dr. Alexandra von Winning. 📅 28. Oktober 2024 📍 IHK Frankfurt am Main ➡ Would you like to be there too? Then register now: https://lnkd.in/eZbNzce9 #ihkfachkräftekongress #studentsbyprovadis #thinkingindustrynew IHK Frankfurt am Main Melanie Nolte Holger Kison

🚀 Ready to take your sustainability skills to the next level? 🌍 Are you looking to level up your skills, explore new trends, and connect with like-minded professionals? Look no further than IMPACT FESTIVAL, Europe’s largest event for sustainable innovation in Europe! 🤝 With over 4,5000 participants, 250 investors, 200 solutions and 170 speakers, this event is the perfect opportunity to network and discover potential partnerships and collaborations in the sustainability field. ⏰ Don't miss out and get your ticket now! 👉 https://lnkd.in/ezPuPA2V #createimpact #impactfestival24 #thinkingindustrynew

🌍 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝟏𝟕% 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐃𝐆 𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤 – 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐰? The convergence of multiple global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, escalating conflicts and geopolitical tensions has severely hampered progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in the 2030 Agenda. 📊 The Sustainable Development Goals 2024 Report shows that ✅ only 17 per cent of the SDG targets are on track, ⚠️ almost half are making minimal or moderate progress, and ⏳ more than a third are stalling or going backwards. The achievement of the goals in the remaining six years is at threat – what to do now? From a political perspective, the current way of framing and tackling the SDG challenges needs to be challenged: What do we learn from the first decade? What measures are effective and efficient? What is the best policy-mix?  Besides, it is necessary to examine one's own role (state, company, employee) and the possibilities of exerting influence on the SDGs. Organisational psychology distinguishes between the three areas: ➡ 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥: Includes all aspects that can be directly controlled, such as internal processes, resources and people. This is where contributions can be made. Examples include the developments of net-zero and green-growth strategies, the testing of new technologies and the developments of new markets.  ➡𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: Refers to areas where there is influence but no direct control. Working in local initiatives and industry associations to attract partners and employees may serve as examples here.  ➡ 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧: Refers to all aspects that we are concerned about and that require our attention but are beyond our control. Examples here might be global inconsistencies in policy making. Mapping relevant aspects in these three areas may empower the individual actor. It becomes clear, where contributions can be made, where resources are to be allocated and where impact can be made and measured.  📖 Read the full report at: https://lnkd.in/grfUCRjx #SDG #sustainabledevelopment

🌱 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝟒𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐨𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐦 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 What do we owe in Frankfurt to sustainability? - This was the motto of the last Green City Soiree. After exciting impulses from Bastian Bergerhoff and Friederike (Fritzi) Koehler-Geib, PhD, a vision for Frankfurt's economy in 2045, necessary infrastructure adjustments and success factors for the transformation were discussed. Hannes Utikal introduced the perspective of the chemical and pharmaceutical industries to the debate, using the example of the Process4Sustainability cluster. 👉 The Frankfurt Rhine-Main region has a variety of strengths to drive the transition to a net-zero economy (e.g. a diversified economic basis with actors from different sectors and complementary competencies).  👉 The chemical and pharmaceutical industries are central pillars of economic strength in Frankfurt Rhine-Main and are closely interwoven with other sectors. Chemical and pharmaceutical companies need low-cost green electricity and green hydrogen to achieve the intended net-zero transformation. But the necessary energy and raw material infrastructures are not in the hands of the regional actors – the national H2-pipelines and electricity grid extensions are expected for the years 2030+.  👉 The net-zero transition is a societal challenge. It is important that political ambitions and goals are aligned with regional possibilities. A joint understanding of the critical path of the transition – the next steps of the national energy transition and its implications for regional actors – is crucial to align activities and expectations. Cooperation models such as those in the Netherlands can serve as an example for an effective cooperation between public and private actors. 👉 To return to the soiree’s motto (“What do we owe to sustainability?”), the P4S cluster's answer is: Ambition, entrepreneurship and transparency! We need a joint understanding of the regional transition pathway: What are goals and actions of different actors and where are interdependencies? How do the actions match with the goals for 2035 in Frankfurt and 2045 in Germany? Let’s cooperate regionally to ensure a strong economy in Frankfurt in a net-zero scenario! ✨ Our conclusion: An exciting programme and a valuable discussion. We are looking forward to the next Green City Soirees. ℹ️ The Green City Soirees take place three times a year as working meetings. They are aimed specifically at members of the sustainability forums, city politicians, municipal companies and the administration. The aim of the working meetings is to use the expertise and experience of the participants and to contribute ideas to the Frankfurt Green City process. #Thinkingindustrynew Provadis Hochschule 📷 Sergei Gussev