- 04/30/2025
- Article
- Sustainability & carbon-neutrality
Climate targets of POWTECH TECHNOPHARM exhibitors: between aspiration and reality
What are the exhibitors of POWTECH TECHNOPHARM doing about climate protection? We wanted to know exactly and asked: Who is already pursuing their own climate targets? Who is publishing sustainability reports? And where does the industry really stand when it comes to the major challenges of the future?
Written by Armin Scheuermann
The answer to this question is as clear as it is sobering: So far, only a few companies in the supply industry for the process industry have voluntarily set themselves climate targets and reported on a sustainability strategy. Although many companies have long been investing in more efficient processes, energy-saving technologies and innovative product solutions, a systematic recording of their own CO₂ emissions, ambitious reduction targets or a publicly accessible sustainability strategy are still the exception rather than the rule. At the same time, the pressure on companies is continuously increasing – not only politically, but also from the market. The major players in the process industry – chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food – have long since made sustainability a core strategic issue. And they are increasingly transferring their requirements to their suppliers.
Europe is picking up speed: the EU's climate targets and the CSRD directive
The political framework for climate protection activities in industry has long been established. With the European Green Deal, the EU is pursuing the goal of making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. By 2030, emissions are to be reduced by at least 55 per cent compared to 1990. A reduction of 90 per cent is planned for 2040.
While countries like Sweden and Finland want to achieve these targets much earlier – Sweden by around 2045 and Finland by as early as 2035 – other EU member states, especially Poland, still face major challenges. Germany itself is aiming for climate neutrality by 2045 and has set itself ambitious interim targets, such as phasing out coal by 2030.
The EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is particularly relevant for companies. This year, large companies must initially report systematically on climate and sustainability issues for the year 2024. From 2025, many medium-sized companies will follow – and from 2026, even smaller listed companies. Even companies that are not directly affected will have to adapt to the requirements of their customers, who will demand transparency across the entire supply chain in the future.
Pioneers at POWTECH TECHNOPHARM: Those who take responsibility today
Some exhibitors at POWTECH TECHNOPHARM have long since recognised that sustainability is not a fashionable topic, but belongs at the core of corporate strategy. AZO, for example, is one of the pioneers in the industry. The company, based in Osterburken, is consistently pursuing the goal of making its locations climate-neutral. To achieve this, AZO relies not only on green electricity and its own photovoltaic systems, but also on a sustainable supply chain – the keyword here is ‘glocalisation’. ‘Sustainable thinking and action is reflected in our processes and products. We conserve resources and are committed to climate protection,’ emphasises the company.
Hosokawa Alpine is equally ambitious. The company aims to be carbon neutral by 2030 and has already switched entirely to green energy in 2021. It has also implemented numerous efficiency measures in production and eliminated unnecessary business travel. For Hosokawa Alpine, ‘sustainability and profitability must go hand in hand.’
Haver & Boecker is also taking clear action to protect the climate. Under the motto ‘Planet Blue’, the company develops machines with a long service life and a high proportion of recycled materials. Packaging solutions are designed to conserve resources, and energy consumption is reduced through the use of modern technologies. ‘As much as necessary, as little as possible’ is the principle the company has set itself.
Fette Compacting, on the other hand, combines sustainability and product innovation. The new i-Series tablet presses consume up to 15 per cent less energy than previous models. An ISO 50001-certified energy management system ensures that energy-saving potential is systematically identified and implemented.
The Zeppelin Group, which also includes the plant manufacturer and exhibitor Zeppelin Systems, is pursuing the goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2030. The company is continuously reducing its CO₂ emissions, relying on renewable energies and helping its customers to decarbonise their processes. Digital tools help to optimise the efficiency of production plants.
Aerzener Maschinenfabrik is a particularly noteworthy example. The company, based in Lower Saxony, has committed itself to achieving climate neutrality by 2045. All locations are to be powered by 100 per cent green electricity as early as 2024. Aerzen calls its own initiative, which aims to combine sustainability and economic success, ‘Mission 2027’. By developing modular machines that are characterised by a particularly long service life and recyclable components, the company is meeting the core requirements of the circular economy In the field of wastewater treatment in particular, the screw and turbo blowers achieve impressive energy savings. At the same time, the company is working to make its sustainability performance transparent. An annual sustainability report in accordance with the standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) documents progress in climate protection, the circular economy and social responsibility.
NürnbergMesse: climate-neutral by 2028
The trade fair organiser itself is also taking responsibility for greater sustainability. NürnbergMesse has set itself clear climate targets and aims to make its operations climate-neutral by 2028 at the latest. Today, around 90 per cent of the exhibition company's energy needs are already covered by green electricity. By 2028, NürnbergMesse also intends to avoid or compensate for all remaining emissions from its own operations (Scope 1 and 2). ‘As an exhibition company, we are aware of our responsibility – sustainability is a key issue for the future, for us and for our customers,’ emphasises the NürnbergMesse management.
There is still room for improvement – but the industry's contribution is undisputed
Many other companies at POWTECH TECHNOPHARM have not yet published any publicly available climate targets. However, this does not mean that they are not contributing to sustainable development. On the contrary: their products and technologies are often what make the transformation towards a more climate-friendly industry possible in the first place. Whether it's energy-saving mixing technologies, resource-saving packaging solutions or efficient filter systems, the process industry relies on innovations from the mechanical and plant engineering sector to reduce emissions and resource consumption.
Focus on sustainability: POWTECH TECHNOPHARM 2025 as a platform for climate-neutral innovations
Climate protection and resource efficiency are key topics at POWTECH TECHNOPHARM 2025. The event sees itself as a platform for climate-neutral innovations in the processing industry. Decarbonisation, the circular economy and sustainable production are discussed in specialist forums. The TECHNOPHARM forum is dedicated to sustainable pharmaceutical production, while the POWTECH forum focuses on optimising process chains. Special exhibition areas such as the ‘Pharma-in-Focus’ pavilion present sustainable solutions for the pharmaceutical industry. The Networking Pavilion promotes synergies in the field of green technologies. Competitions and special shows such as the VDMA special area bring practical process chains to life. Initiatives such as ‘Women4Processing’ set the tone for more diversity and promote sustainability innovations. The PARTEC Congress highlights research results on resource efficiency. The interlinking with the sister fair FACHPACK creates synergies between process and packaging technology to promote resource-saving solutions.
Sustainability is the central topic at FACHPACK!
The partner exhibition FACHPACK held in parallel with POWTECH TECHNOPHARM in Nuremberg, focuses even more strongly on sustainability. The packaging industry is under particular scrutiny with regard to the conservation of resources and environmental compatibility. Exhibitors present machines, packaging solutions and materials that are designed for material savings, recyclability and renewable raw materials. Circular economy, CO₂ reduction and innovative packaging designs that use less plastic are the standard. Under the motto ‘Transition in Packaging’, FACHPACK shows that sustainable packaging solutions are the future topic of the industry. Mechanical engineering and the packaging industry are working intensively on climate-friendly technologies.
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