In this fascinating discussion, Antonio Santos sits down with Eryn Devola, Vice President of Sustainability at Siemens, to explore how Siemens is leveraging technology to drive sustainability and meet ambitious environmental goals.

Pioneering Sustainability with Digital Twin Technology

Siemens has amassed countless customer references showcasing how their technology fosters sustainable practices. A stellar example is Hugoback, an OEM line builder that leveraged Siemens’ digital twin technology to design a packaging machine. This innovation enabled Hugoback to reduce packaging volume by 10%, energy usage by 20%, and material usage by 30%.

Transforming Design and Supply Chain Processes

Siemens, like many industrial players, faces significant challenges as it commits to reducing upstream scope three emissions. These emissions encompass the entire supply chain, from raw materials to production and beyond. To tackle this, Siemens begins at the design phase. They are redefining product design processes, focusing on material efficiency, choice of materials, and collaboration with suppliers to minimize emissions and adopt best practices.

The Power of Transparency with Siemens Eco-tech

A standout feature of Siemens’ Eco-tech is the unprecedented transparency it provides. Customers receive comprehensive data, enabling them to make the most sustainable decisions. Siemens’ tool contextualizes this information, empowering customers to understand the implications within their industries, fostering better and more informed decision-making.

“We give unprecedented transparency. Our customers get the information they need to make the most sustainable decisions.” – Eryn Devola

Siemens Xcelerator Ecosystem: Driving Collaboration

The Siemens Xcelerator ecosystem stands out for its ability to unite diverse companies, promoting collaboration between small startups and large enterprises. An exemplary collaboration at the fair is between AB InBev, a major customer, and Einoke, a startup focusing on controlled environment farming for hops production. Siemens’ technology supports Einoke’s scaling efforts, showcasing the power of open, collaborative platforms.

Beyond Carbon Neutrality: Embracing Circular Design

While carbon neutrality remains a critical goal for Siemens, their sustainability ambitions extend further. Siemens embraces circularity in design, meticulously considering sustainability throughout the product lifecycle. Knowing that over 80% of environmental impacts are determined at the design stage, Siemens adopts a cradle-to-next-cradle approach, ensuring products remain sustainable and high-performing.

Addressing Global Energy Consumption

Achieving net zero requires the global reduction of energy consumption by 45%, a daunting yet essential goal. Siemens believes technological advancements are key to accelerating progress. Eryn mentions, “The slowest day of my life was yesterday,” underscoring the rapid pace of technological innovation needed to meet these targets. Technologies like generative AI play a pivotal role in creating efficiencies and driving faster progress.

Connecting People Through Sustainability

Eryn Devola shares her passion for working in sustainability at Siemens, highlighting how the company fosters new, radical collaborations and connects people. This focus on collaboration not only fosters significant environmental impact but also attracts top talent. The future workforce values sustainable outcomes, ensuring a healthier planet for future generations.

Tailoring Solutions Globally, Executing Locally

Operating on a global scale, Siemens customizes its approach based on regional sustainability challenges. Whether addressing land use or water issues, Siemens deploys solutions tailored to local needs, ensuring their strategies are impactful and relevant.

Through this rich discussion, Eryn Devola elucidates how Siemens is at the forefront of sustainable innovation, leveraging technology to foster collaboration, transparency, and impactful solutions. The sustainability journey is ongoing, but with strategic design and robust ecosystems, Siemens is paving the way for a greener future.