Britta von Selchow: Ms Braun, you have been advising companies on sustainability issues for 30 years, and the topic is still far from reality. Where are we today, especially when it comes to the circular economy?

Sabine BraunSustainability has long been more than just a hygiene factor for companies. Transparency alone is no longer enough. Many are aware that this is now a real transformation, that they need new raw material perspectives and that they must change their business models. However, there is some hesitation, which is a pity. The circular economy can make an important contribution to climate protection. But it is still a sleeping giant, with enormous untapped potential.

Britta von Selchow: What do companies need to act now to realise their potential?

Sabine Braun: The Green Deal and EU legislation are paving the way. But it is not only grand visions, such as climate neutrality by 2050, that are important. To achieve them, companies need concrete strategies, as well as courage, curiosity and perseverance. When, if not now, should companies invest? In any case, the circular revolution is coming, and who wants to be among the losers?

Britta von Selchow: Keeping raw materials in circulation and being able to reuse them for our own production: in our experience, this is increasingly important for manufacturers for three reasons. To meet regulatory requirements, to increase our resilience to supply chain fluctuations in a country like Germany, which is poor in raw materials, and, last but not least, to gain cost advantages by reusing components. Successful cycles are created through the cooperation of the participants in the value chain. Openness and the ability to cooperate are important core competencies of our future.

Sabine Braun: In any case, the ability to think in terms of economic ecosystems is a key factor for success. Creating closer networks, harnessing the innovative capacity of start-ups and developing multi-company industrial solutions: of course, none of this works at scale without digitalisation and artificial intelligence.

Britta von Selchow: We are also firmly convinced of this and have therefore developed a digital twin of the recycling process chain: Materialkonto Interzero. This means that companies can now map the entire raw material cycle. In this way, production waste and products and their packaging are effectively returned to their own cycle at the end of their useful life.

Sabine Braun: I am certain that digital solutions, such as those promoted by Interzero, are key to the progress of the circular economy and sustainable transformation as a whole. This applies not only to the upcoming reporting obligations - keyword CSRD. Sustainability data is becoming increasingly important as a control element for companies. In the future, no one will be able to avoid it.

Britta von Selchow: How do you motivate companies to actively shape the future, and perhaps get out of their comfort zone?

Sabine Braun: In the case of the "call to action", just look at the facts. If you want your children and grandchildren to continue to have a liveable planet, you need to act now. To do this, we need a positive narrative about the future. We have incredible knowledge and experience, a great medium-sized company. Germany is a country of ideas that must finally get out on the streets.

Britta von Selchow: The good news is that no one has to save the world alone. Closing cycles is a team sport that brings fun and enthusiasm. I experience this positive spirit in our company and also among our customers. With the right partners, courage, curiosity and data, sustainable value creation can be achieved. Intelligent, digitally optimised recycling creates new perspectives on the raw materials we all urgently seek.