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

Sabine Braun : Sustainability has long been more than just a hygiene factor for companies. Transparency alone is no longer enough. Many people are aware that this is about a real transformation, that they need new raw material prospects and that they need to 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 huge, untapped potential.

Britta von Selchow: What do companies need to take action now and realize the potential for themselves?

Sabine Braun: The Green Deal and EU regulations set the direction. But not only grand visions, such as climate neutrality by 2050, are important. To achieve them, companies need specific strategies, as well as courage, curiosity and perseverance. When, if not now, should companies invest? Either way, 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 your own production – in our experience, this is becoming increasingly important for manufacturers for three reasons. To meet regulatory requirements, to increase our resilience to fluctuations in the supply chain 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 value chain participants. Openness and the ability to collaborate are important key competencies for our future.

Sabine Braun: In any case, the ability to think in terms of economic ecosystems is a key success factor. Networking more closely, harnessing the innovative power of start-ups and developing cross-company industry solutions – of course, none of this works at scale without digitalization and AI.

Britta von Selchow: We also strongly believe in this and that is why we have developed a digital twin of the recycling process chain – Materialkonto Interzero. This means that companies are now able to map the entire raw material cycle. In this way, post-production residues and products and their packaging are effectively recycled into their own cycle at the end of their life cycle.

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

Britta von Selchow: How do you motivate companies to actively shape the future and perhaps also to leave their comfort zone?

Sabine Braun: With a “call to action”, you just need to look at the facts. If you want your children and grandchildren to continue to have a habitable planet, you need to act now. For 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 be taken to 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 generates fun and enthusiasm. I experience this positive spirit in our company and also among our clients. With the right partners, courage, curiosity and data, sustainable value creation can be achieved. Intelligent, digitally optimized recycling creates urgently sought new raw material prospects for all of us.