Nine out of ten companies from Germany's second largest industrial sector still have ecological potential according to the current study "Green Transformation in Mechanical and Plant Engineering". And although there is a consensus at management level that a green future will ensure business success, only 23 percent of those surveyed see themselves as pioneers when it comes to sustainability. For the study, management consultants Staufen surveyed more than 150 companies from the German mechanical and plant engineering sector.
"Companies are still at the very beginning of their opportunities. But time is pressing. Supply chain problems and high energy prices are increasing the pressure to work more sustainably and resource-efficiently," says Dr. Björn Falk, Sector Manager Mechanical Engineering at Staufen AG. In the wake of the current crisis, costs have risen across the industry. But it is precisely the area of conflict between ecology and economy that "still offers a lot of potential for optimization in order to achieve green goals that also pay off economically."
To date, the mechanical and plant engineering industry has primarily implemented ecological goals in its own production process. The study participants most frequently cited measures to save energy (84%), ensure trouble-free and error-free production (67%) and a CO2-neutral energy supply (63%). According to industry expert Falk, the survey results indicate that a lot of potential is still being wasted in the area of indirect emissions and the supply chain: "Companies need to make decisions based on the situation and give room to new ideas. This also means having the courage to go beyond traditional optimization topics such as efficiency and waste."
Many companies can achieve climate neutrality in the foreseeable future
Regardless of the current challenges, there is no way around the transformation towards sustainability in the long term. 84% of respondents agree with the statement that their company must drive forward the green transition in order to survive on the market in the future. "Although many market players are struggling with the fast pace of change, and a quarter even feel overwhelmed, the plant and mechanical engineering sector is accepting its social responsibility: Nine out of ten companies in the sector want to be climate-neutral by 2035," says Staufen consultant Falk.
Despite supply bottlenecks, material shortages and staff shortages, the mechanical engineering expert sees a realistic chance of achieving this goal: "If I face energy crises and material crises and become more local, for example in my supply chains, I am developing into a sustainable company. That's why many companies will be able to achieve climate neutrality in the next ten years."
However, there is still a lot of skepticism in the executive offices: Of the companies surveyed, only 23 percent consider themselves to be green pioneers. "However, the potential for a sustainable transformation that is also economically viable is there," says Björn Falk.
About the study "Green transformation in mechanical and plant engineering"
For the study, the management consultancy Staufen AG surveyed a total of 160 companies from the mechanical and plant engineering sector in Germany on the topic of green transformation. The survey was conducted in spring 2022. The study is available for free download at the following link: https://www.staufen.ag/insights/studien-whitepaper/studie-green-transformation-2022/
