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Circular Economy is considered one of the most promising concepts on the way to a more sustainable economy. Expectations of a responsible corporate orientation are rising: This is shown by a recent ruling of the Federal Constitutional Court, which demands that Germany must be more ambitious in its climate goals [1]. The EU Green Deal envisages climate neutrality by 2050 and the “Circular Economy Action Plan” calls for more effective use of resources and reserves [2]. This article describes a method that companies can use to develop ideas for circular business models.

A considerable part of global greenhouse gas emissions is caused in the industrial sector. Its digitialization is often seen as a means to increase sustainability. At the same time, ecological and social risks emerge. Their exploration is still in its infancy, however, previous findings point out multiple challenges. These must be conceptually taken into account in order to realize a sustainable industry 4.0. Building on a literature analysis, the following contribution presents current developments in research, industry, and policy. We shed light on a number of selected approaches, which aim at a sustainable industry 4.0. Finally, practical design options are outlined.

Accelerating climate change drives companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Road freight transport accounts for around 6 % of global CO2 emissions. However, high growth rates, the dependence on fossil fuels, and the high fragmentation of the market make the decarbonization of road freight transport challenging. Based on survey results, this paper elaborates how small road carriers, together with their clients, can contribute to achieving global climate targets by implementing appropriate measures and incentives.

In the course of the shift to electromobility, the use of battery cells as energy storage is facing exponential growth. The goal in research and industry is to design the entire life cycle of these battery cells in the light of global sustainability goals and to ensure the necessary supply of raw materials. In this context, the establishment of efficient recycling technologies plays a central role. In particular, there is a need for research into the further development of process routes according to technological, ecological, economic and social criteria. The competence cluster Recycling & Green Battery (greenBatt) addresses these challenges in 15 research projects. This article presents overarching solution approaches and project highlights.