Sustainable Manufacturing: Insights from an Interview with Dr. Wolfgang Schlögl
Embracing Digital Innovation for Enhanced Sustainability
In a recent interview on “Manufacturing Sustainability: Twenty Minute Talks,” Dr. Wolfgang Schlögl, Vice President of Digital Manufacturing Strategic Projects and Programs, discussed how sustainability has become a crucial fourth pillar in manufacturing, alongside time, quality, and cost.
Siemens is driving this transformation through its Digital Manufacturing segment, offering advanced solutions to improve energy efficiency, optimize resource usage, and reduce carbon footprints. Dr. Schlögl highlighted key initiatives such as:
- Energy and Resource Optimization: Digital tools like energy management systems and additive manufacturing help manufacturers decrease energy consumption and use materials more efficiently. These innovations support sustainability while reducing costs.
- Transparency and Carbon Management: Dr. Schlögl emphasized the importance of transparency in managing carbon emissions. Siemens provides insights into energy usage and carbon footprints, enabling manufacturers to optimize processes and reduce emissions by rescheduling energy-intensive tasks to periods when renewable energy is more available.
Fostering Collaboration for a Sustainable Future
Dr. Schlögl also underscored the importance of collaboration in advancing sustainability within manufacturing. Siemens participates in international consortia and government-funded projects like Catena-X and Manufacturing-X, focusing on creating open industrial data spaces and standardizing sustainability practices across supply chains.
Key points from this collaborative approach include:
- Collective Efforts for Decarbonization: The company works with other companies and global initiatives to standardize methods for measuring and reducing carbon footprints, contributing to a more sustainable economy.
- Supporting Manufacturers of All Sizes: Cost-efficient solutions are offered for smaller manufacturers to improve energy efficiency, engage in circular economy practices, and achieve transparency in their sustainability efforts.
Through strategic digital innovations and collaborative efforts, Siemens is leading the way in making sustainable manufacturing a reality, as highlighted by Dr. Schlögl in his recent interview.
Siemens Digital Industries Software helps organizations of all sizes digitally transform using software, hardware and services from the Siemens Xcelerator business platform. Siemens’ software and the comprehensive digital twin enable companies to optimize their design, engineering and manufacturing processes to turn today’s ideas into the sustainable products of the future. From chips to entire systems, from product to process, across all industries. Siemens Digital Industries Software – Accelerating transformation.
