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Sustainable Design: Sustainable product design of intelligent technical systems
The increasing awareness of sustainability as well as the stricter sustainability legislation increase the pressure on ARI-Armaturen to consider the topic already in the product development. The aim of the project is to enable the company to design its own products more sustainably through knowledge transfer. To this end, an analysis of the carbon footprint of a fitting and other potentials will be carried out. Subsequently, the optimization of sustainability will be focused by defining the target system and concrete measures on product level and implementing them exemplarily. The results are prepared for broad transfer (e.g. guidelines for the design of sustainable products) and made accessible.
Sustainable Lifecycle Engineering

Development methodology for the integration of sustainability aspects in engineering In order to support developers in the design of sustainable systems, there is often a lack of suitable methods. Should an electric motor rather be encapsulated to have a low heat loss or should the motor rather not be encapsulated so that later recycling is easier? Which solution saves the most CO2? The Sustainable Lifecycle Engineering project aims to enable developers and product managers to include sustainability aspects in their decision-making at an early stage of engineering.

Data-based product management
Optimizing product management with data What do companies need to do to ensure that their products continue to be successful in the future? Product management deals with this question. These experts are responsible for planning, managing and controlling their company's products and services. They often rely on their gut feeling, because relevant data is usually scattered across different departments. The 'Data-based Product Management' project is working out how product management can be improved on the basis of data. In the project, the companies Diebold Nixdorf, DMG Mori, Isringhausen and Schmitz Cargobull are to be guided to carry out classic product management tasks, such as planning new product features, more objectively and successfully by using modern data analysis. The idea is to use data from a variety of sources, such as operational data, internal data from marketing and sales, and external data from social media, for example. The companies are supported by the research partners Fraunhofer IEM and Heinz Nixdorf Institute.
InCamS@BI: Innovation Campus for Sustainable Solutions

Research-based transfer for an innovative circular economy With InCamS@BI, the Innovation Campus for Sustainable Solutions, Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences is positioning itself in the East Westphalia-Lippe region as an innovative transfer player in the field of the circular economy. The focus is on sustainable materials research. Resource scarcity, climate protection, regulations - the plastics industry is facing major challenges. The interdisciplinary transfer project InCamS@BI aims to accompany companies on their way to the Circular Economy and work with them to develop sustainable solutions in the field of optimizing plastics for circular value creation.

Strategic Management of Dual Transformation
How sustainability and digitization can lead to corporate success is the subject of the DualStrat project "Strategic Management of Dual Transformation". Whether materials, working conditions or recycling: value chains have great potential for companies to become more sustainable. Due to the complexity of value chains, management is required. Overall, digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain or the Digital Twin represent a significant potential to meet sustainability goals as well as to transform the core business at the same time [EMF12]. However, the use of digitalization alone is no guarantee for a successful sustainability transformation. Rather, it requires, for example, the establishment of strategic partnerships and sustainability alliances to enable data standards and interfaces for collaboration across value-added stages in the course of the circular economy. Only by involving internal and external stakeholders can the targeted transformation of a company's processes, products and business models in the context of sustainability and digitization be realized. Not least because of the high impact on business, a strategic, holistic and integrative view of both transformation processes is therefore required in the sense of a dual transformation. The aim of dual transformation is to tap new entrepreneurial potential for success that will enable the company to position itself successfully in the competitive environment in the long term.
Climate neutral Business in East Westphalia-Lippe
In the joint project climate bOWL, a consortium from research and business is developing an intelligent assistance system for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in industry. Greenhouse gas emissions occur along the entire value chain. The identification of suitable reduction measures goes hand in hand with transparency about the emitters of greenhouse gases and is associated with high transaction costs due to the interactions and interdisciplinarity of production, energy and information technology. Consequently, on the way to climate neutrality, a holistic approach is needed to aggregate and assess greenhouse gas emissions and to identify and prioritize greenhouse gas emission reduction measures along the entire value chains. This challenge is taken up by the interdisciplinary project team of climate bOWL.
EcoTwin

Development and transformation towards sustainability with digital twins How can digital twins help make companies and their development more sustainable? This is the question addressed by the EcoTwin project. A digital twin is a digital image of a physical product and captures, processes and networks selected information. This is increasingly perceived as a competitive advantage and can increase the sustainability of companies as part of the dual transformation. Together with Herbert Kannegiesser GmbH and the Wuppertal Institute, Fraunhofer IEM is developing an approach for planning, designing, developing and implementing Digital Green Twins.

Data Factory.NRW

Artificial intelligence in tomorrow's production The "Datenfabrik NRW" is a project of the leading-edge cluster it's OWL, in which the companies CLAAS and Schmitz Cargobull together with NTT Data, Duvenbeck Kraftverkehr and MotionMiners as well as the Fraunhofer Institutes IEM, IML, IOSB-INA and IAIS are developing a model for a data-driven factory of the future. Based on the most innovative processes and using artificial intelligence, the factory planning, production, logistics and enterprise architecture of the user companies will be analyzed and transformed in pilot areas. In addition, a strategic framework for change management and an IT infrastructure will be developed, so that technology and knowledge transfer will be widely accepted beyond the borders of North Rhine-Westphalia. The four participating Fraunhofer institutes will contribute their application-oriented research and practical implementation experience to the project and will take over the AI part in the project. The project focuses on three points: They identify and develop concrete solutions for the use of artificial intelligence in industrial production. They also facilitate the transfer of methods and technologies from science to companies in order to integrate AI-supported solutions into existing processes and company architectures. They also develop holistic change management that supports companies in organizing new processes for the use of artificial intelligence. The results will then be implemented directly in the factories of Claas and Schmitz Cargobull and should also be usable by other companies. Both KI.NRW and the leading-edge cluster it's OWL support the dissemination of the project results. The Datenfabrik.NRW project (duration 4 years) has a total volume of 14.5 million euros and is funded with 9.2 million euros by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

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CE:FIRE – circular.frugal.regenerative

The project promotes the transformation to a sustainable economy in the regions of East Westphalia-Lippe, South Westphalia, and the Bergisches Städtedreieck (Bergisch Triangle). By combining the circular economy, frugal innovation, and regenerative management, it aims to support companies in developing resource-efficient business models and opening up new markets. The project offers workshops and events, such as exchanges of experience, to implement sustainable product and process innovations.

Further information can be found on the project website:  https://www.cefire-nrw.de/ 

Green.OWL - Model region for sustainable economic development

The Green.OWL project aims to develop East Westphalia-Lippe into a model region for sustainable business. Under the leadership of OstWestfalenLippe GmbH, over 40 partners from business, science, and politics are working together to support small and medium-sized enterprises in implementing circular economy, resource efficiency, and climate protection.

Further information can be found on the project website:  https://www.ostwestfalenlippe.de/projekte/greenowl/ 

CirQualityOWL plus

The project builds on its predecessor, CirQualityOWL, and aims to further develop OWL as a model region for the circular economy. Through close collaboration between companies, universities, research institutions, and municipal stakeholders, the aim is to accelerate the transformation toward a resource-efficient, circular economy. Companies and societal stakeholders will be supported in developing new skills for the circular economy, establishing viable business models, and rethinking regional value chains. The project pursues four key areas of action (qualification, circular supply chains, construction transition, and resource management).

Further information can be found on the project website:  https://www.cirqualityowl.de/ 

:bergische raw material forge

The goal of the :bergische rohstoffschmiede (:metabolon) is to further develop the predecessor project :metabolon into a hub for circular value creation. Key research areas include the recycling of plastics, mineral construction waste, organic residues, as well as the management of process water and landfill issues. In addition, a network for small and medium-sized enterprises is being established, offering consulting and educational opportunities, exhibitions, and practical examples to make the circular economy visible and feasible in the region.

Materials Forum of the Future

The Materials Forum of the Future is a neutral intermediary comprised of five partners that supports companies in implementing their circular economy projects. Its goal is to promote sustainable material solutions and reduce dependence on fossil resources. The focus is on technical products.

Anwendungsorientiertes Qualifizierungsprogramm für Ingenieur:innen zum Sustainability Engineer - AQUISE

Für die Umsetzung der Kreislaufwirtschaft ist vor allem die Produktentwicklung von besonderer Bedeutung. Bereits in diesem Schritt werden Entscheidungen getroffen, die maßgeblich Einfluss haben auf die spätere Wiederverwendung, Reparierbarkeit oder auch Verwertbarkeit eines Produkts. Somit ist es notwendig, dass nachhaltigkeits- und zirkularitätssteigernde Designentscheidungen gefördert werden. Allerdings geht dies über die herkömmlichen Entwicklungsprozesse hinaus, sodass das Kompetenz- und Anforderungsprofil von (Entwicklungs-) Ingenieur:innen neben den klassischen ingenieurswissenschaftlichen Fähigkeiten auch aus Kenntnissen zur zirkulären und energieeffizienten Produktplanung bestehen sollte. Diese Kompetenzen bündeln Sustainability Engineers. Da allerdings die derzeitige ingenieurswissenschaftliche Aus- und Weiterbildung ein solches Kompetenzprofil kaum abbildet, wird ein Qualifizierungsangebot benötigt.

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Refurbishment and re-manufacturing of large industrial equipment - RECLAIM

The goal of the project was to develop strategies and technologies that enable large industrial machines to be used longer instead of being replaced. Obsolete equipment was digitally retrofitted, sensors and IoT solutions were deployed, and methods such as predictive maintenance, remote diagnostics, and process optimization were further developed. A decision support framework was created to help companies assess when repair, upgrade, or replacement make sense.

Further information can be found on the project website:  https://www.reclaim-project.eu/ 

Paths to a circular business model

The "Paths to a Circular Business Model" project supports companies in transitioning from linear to circular business models. It examines trade-offs between climate protection, resource efficiency, and legal requirements and develops practical solutions. Thirteen companies from various industries are involved. The results are incorporated into recommendations for action and a digital decision-making tool.

Digital ecosystem for a sustainable circular economy in the automotive industry - DIONA

DIONA is a research project promoting the circular economy in the automotive industry. The goal is to build a digital ecosystem that supports companies with knowledge, tools, and practical examples to implement sustainable and resource-efficient processes. At its core is the MobilKreis Digital Hub, a platform for networking industry, research, and policy. DIONA pools insights from previous projects, develops practical solutions, and tests new approaches in digital and physical laboratories – with the goal of actively shaping the automotive industry's transformation toward greater sustainability.

Further information can be found on the project website:  https://diona-hub.de/ 

Digital platform for data-driven and physics-based product development enabling a circular economy - Digi4Circular

The Digi4Circular research project aims to promote the circular economy in the automotive industry through a digital platform. It collects data across the entire life cycle of components to develop environmentally friendly designs and manufacturing processes. A particular focus is on reducing CO₂ emissions, particularly through the increased use of recycled aluminum. The project is developing a digital infrastructure that combines physics-based modeling, machine learning, and digital product passports to increase transparency and sustainability in product development. One use case is aluminum die casting technology in the automotive industry, where significant CO₂ savings can be achieved through optimized designs and recycling processes.

Further information can be found on the project website:  https://digi4circular.eu/ 

Circular design and development of sustainable products in 4 key sectors in Central Europe - CURIOST

The aim of the project is to support companies in developing sustainable, circular products and business models. The project is specifically aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises and focuses on the fields of mechanics and mechatronics, packaging, plastics, construction, and building technology. Strategies for circular product design will be developed, an action plan will be developed, and prototypes will be produced in pilot projects.