• Skip to homepage
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to main navigation
  • Skip to meta navigation
Zühlke - zur Startseite
  • Business
  • Careers
  • Events
  • About us

Language navigation. The current language is english

  • Expertise
    • AI implementation
    • Cloud
    • Cybersecurity
    • Data solutions
    • DevOps
    • Digital strategy
    • Experience design
    • Hardware engineering
    • Managed services
    • Software engineering
    • Sustainability transformation
    Explore our expertise

    Highlight Case Study

    Airport concept

    Zurich Airport transforms operations for a data-driven future

    Learn more
  • Industries
    • Banking
    • Insurance
    • Healthcare providers
    • MedTech
    • Pharma
    • Industrial sector
    • Commerce & retail
    • Energy & utilities
    • Government & public sector
    • Transport
    Explore our industries

    Subscribe to recieve the latest news, event invitations & more!

    Sign up here
  • Case studies

    Spotlight case studies

    • Global Research Platforms and Zühlke are fighting Alzheimer's disease
    • Brückner Maschinenbau leverages GenAI to optimise efficiency by improving master data management
    • UNIQA: AI chatbot increases efficiency – 95% accuracy with half the effort
    Explore more case studies

    Highlight Case Study

    Airport concept

    Zurich Airport transforms operations for a data-driven future

    Learn more
  • Insights

    Spotlight insights

    • How to apply low-code technologies in the insurance industry
    • Retail CTO playbook for managing the tech transformation
    • DeepSeek and the rise of open-source AI: A game-changer for businesses?
    Explore more insights

    Highlight Insight

    AI adoption: Rethinking time and purpose in the workplace

    Learn more
  • Academy
  • Contact
    • Austria
    • Bulgaria
    • Germany
    • Hong Kong
    • Portugal
    • Serbia
    • Singapore
    • Switzerland
    • United Kingdom
    • Vietnam

    Subscribe to recieve the latest news, event invitations & more!

    Sign up here
Zühlke - zur Startseite
  • Business
  • Careers
  • Events
  • About us
  • Expertise
    • AI implementation
    • Cloud
    • Cybersecurity
    • Data solutions
    • DevOps
    • Digital strategy
    • Experience design
    • Hardware engineering
    • Managed services
    • Software engineering
    • Sustainability transformation
    Explore our expertise

    Highlight Case Study

    Airport concept

    Zurich Airport transforms operations for a data-driven future

    Learn more
  • Industries
    • Banking
    • Insurance
    • Healthcare providers
    • MedTech
    • Pharma
    • Industrial sector
    • Commerce & retail
    • Energy & utilities
    • Government & public sector
    • Transport
    Explore our industries

    Subscribe to recieve the latest news, event invitations & more!

    Sign up here
  • Case studies

    Spotlight case studies

    • Global Research Platforms and Zühlke are fighting Alzheimer's disease
    • Brückner Maschinenbau leverages GenAI to optimise efficiency by improving master data management
    • UNIQA: AI chatbot increases efficiency – 95% accuracy with half the effort
    Explore more case studies

    Highlight Case Study

    Airport concept

    Zurich Airport transforms operations for a data-driven future

    Learn more
  • Insights

    Spotlight insights

    • How to apply low-code technologies in the insurance industry
    • Retail CTO playbook for managing the tech transformation
    • DeepSeek and the rise of open-source AI: A game-changer for businesses?
    Explore more insights

    Highlight Insight

    AI adoption: Rethinking time and purpose in the workplace

    Learn more
  • Academy
  • Contact
    • Austria
    • Bulgaria
    • Germany
    • Hong Kong
    • Portugal
    • Serbia
    • Singapore
    • Switzerland
    • United Kingdom
    • Vietnam

    Subscribe to recieve the latest news, event invitations & more!

    Sign up here

Language navigation. The current language is english

Homepage zuehlke.com

All industries

Why technology, innovation, and ecosystems are key for sustainable transformation

How can modern technology and cross-industry collaboration lay the foundation for a sustainable economy? In our latest virtual talk, we discussed the key challenges and opportunities of a sustainable future. Discover the key insights below.  

May 02, 20244 Minutes to Read
hands holding a growing plant
With insights from
Portrait photo Dr. Lucas Grob, CEO Swiss Food Research

Dr. Lucas Grob

CEO of Swiss Food Research
Portrait photo Mike Umiker, Managing Director of the Energy Efficiency Movement (ABB)

Mike Umiker

Managing Director of the Energy Efficiency Movement (ABB)

Mario Schmuziger

Regional Managing Director Industrial Sector EMEA & Partnermario.schmuziger@zuehlke.com

Sustainability will fundamentally transform how businesses operate internally and externally, how we develop technologies, and how we deal with societal expectations. In our virtual Zühlke talk "Ecosystems as Drivers for Sustainable Transformation," we addressed the central impact of technology, innovation, and ecosystems on a sustainable future. Mike Umiker, Managing Director of the Energy Efficiency Movement (ABB), Dr. Lucas Grob, CEO of Swiss Food Research, and Mario Schmuziger, Head of Industrial and Consumer Products EMEA at Zühlke, discussed how different industries can benefit from cooperation. Below are the key insights from the talk. 

If you would you like to dive deeper and watch the full recording – you can find it here (Video is in German only): 

‘The industrial sector is responsible for about one-third of all global emissions, having a massive impact on creating a sustainable future,’ said Mario Schmuziger from Zühlke. A survey, mentioned during the talk, revealed that many companies are still focused on reducing their Scope 1 and 2 emissions as direct and indirect outputs from energy production. ‘But it’s Scope 3 emissions, the indirect ones along the value chain, which offer a much higher potential for positive change,’ Schmuziger continued. Overall, the urgency for innovative and sustainable solutions is growing due to the constant pressure for companies to minimise their own footprint while simultaneously creating economic value. 

“Energy efficiency is not a 'if,' but a 'must' for a sustainable future.” “Energy efficiency is not a 'if,' but a 'must' for a sustainable future.”

Portrait photo Mike Umiker, Managing Director of the Energy Efficiency Movement (ABB)
Mike Umiker

Managing Director of the Energy Efficiency Movement (ABB)

Technological innovations as drivers for sustainable transformation

‘Energy efficiency in particular is an indispensable part of sustainable industrial processes,’ said Mike Umiker. He illustrated this with a specific example. By using synchronous reluctance motors and frequency converters, a Swiss animal feed production facility was able to reduce energy consumption by over 50%. This not only had a massive impact on the ecological footprint but also brought immense cost savings. Such technological advances are not only relevant to the energy sector but also set standards for other sectors that strive for efficiency, like the industrial sector. ‘It is important that we think holistically and act across borders together, to learn from each other and fully leverage the potential of technology, innovation, and our ecosystems,’ said Dr. Lucas Grob. 

From theory to practice: an example from the food industry

Sustainability has long played a central role in the food industry, in part because of the growing pressure from consumers. The industry faces the challenge of integrating sustainability into all aspects of production. Dr. Lucas Grob also outlined an example of how successful sustainable transformation can be achieved in this space. With an innovative approach of minimal processing and fermentation, Yumame Foods managed to conserve resources and improve the taste and sustainability of the products. This example reflects a trend that could fundamentally transform the food industry by combining efficiency with consumer interests. What can other industries learn from this? 

“For a sustainable future, we must think about the day after tomorrow, today.” “For a sustainable future, we must think about the day after tomorrow, today.”

Portrait photo Dr. Lucas Grob, CEO Swiss Food Research
Dr. Lucas Grob

CEO of Swiss Food Research

Cross-industry collaboration as driver for innovation

A central theme of the talk was the importance of cross-industry collaboration and the following questions: 

  • What can companies and industries learn from each other? 
  • How do they create new ecosystems that enable a sustainable and profitable future? 

To these points, Mike Umiker emphasised that ‘collaboration between companies, governments, and non-governmental organisations is essential to effectively address complex challenges like CO2 reduction.’ An example of this is the Energy Efficiency Movement, which was founded by ABB and serves as a platform to share best practices and scale innovative solutions that go beyond individual industry boundaries. ‘These networks and ecosystems, such as the Sustainability Circle created by Zühlke, are a central factor and driver of sustainable transformation,’ confirmed Mario Schmuziger. 

“We cannot achieve sustainable transformation alone; it requires collaboration and holistic thinking.” “We cannot achieve sustainable transformation alone; it requires collaboration and holistic thinking.”

Mario Schmuziger

Regional Managing Director ICP EMEA & Partner

ROI in focus: interaction and direct dialogue promote sustainable and profitable solutions

The talk, and especially the questions from the participants, have once again shown that direct exchange is essential for understanding and further developing sustainability strategies. Questions about the practical implementation of energy efficiency measures or the integration of sustainability into existing business models showed that there is not only a desire for, but also a need for information on practical solutions. Plus, that economically viable solutions are necessary to anchor sustainability in the industrial sector and other areas. ‘Because when it comes to sustainability, the question is always, is the end product capable of bearing the costs of innovation?’ confirmed Dr. Lucas Grob. 

At its core, discussions have shown that sustainability must and will fundamentally change our economy and society. Yet, sustainable transformation can’t be achieved in isolation. Sustainability is not an isolated goal but must be deeply embedded in the strategic considerations of companies. The outlined examples and strategies show that with the right ecosystem, it is possible for companies to implement sustainable practices and benefit economically. 

Do you have questions about the talk or specific elements of your sustainability journey? Please feel free to contact us at any time. 

Mario Schmuziger

Regional Managing Director Industrial Sector EMEA & Partner

View LinkedIn Profile of Mario Schmuziger

Explore more Insights

All industries

Sustainable web design: how UX impacts sustainable product design

Learn more
World map digitalised in blue
Industrial sector

How will the industrial sector respond to new US tariffs?

Learn more
Industrial sector

Subscription-based business models as growth opportunity

Learn more
Discover all Insights

Get to know us

  • About us
  • Impact & commitments
  • Facts & figures
  • Careers
  • Event Hub
  • Insights Hub
  • News sign-up

Working with us

  • Our expertise
  • Our industries
  • Case studies
  • Partner ecosystem
  • Training Academy
  • Contact us

Legal

  • Privacy policy
  • Cookie policy
  • Legal notice
  • Modern slavery statement
  • Imprint

Request for proposal

We appreciate your interest in working with us. Please send us your request for proposal and we will contact you within 72 hours.

Request for proposal
© 2025 Zühlke Engineering AG

Follow us

  • External Link to Zühlke LinkedIn Page
  • External Link to Zühlke Facebook Page
  • External Link to Zühlke Instagram Page
  • External Link to Zühlke YouTube Page

Language navigation. The current language is english