Tag: sustainability

Exciting innovations ahead: Lanell’s role in shaping the future of manufacturing with DMaaST

On By Niels StenfeldtLeave a comment

At Lanell, we are committed to leading the charge in adopting and advocating for sustainable technologies in the manufacturing sector. It is with great enthusiasm that we share our recent focus on the European Union’s groundbreaking DMaaST project. As specialists in digital product passports and event-based traceability platforms, Lanell and Niels Stenfeldt played a crucial advisory role to a prominent global manufacturer engaged in this transformative initiative.

Unpacking the Potential of DMaaST

The DMaaST (Digital Manufacturing as a Service Technology) project represents a seismic shift towards smarter, more resilient manufacturing ecosystems. It integrates several advanced technological layers designed to enhance the adaptability and sustainability of manufacturing processes. Here’s a closer look at the revolutionary components of the DMaaST platform:

  • Data Layer: This foundation layer utilizes ontologies and decentralized knowledge graphs to achieve real-time data integration across organizations, a critical factor in the seamless exchange of information and operational agility.
  • Digital Twin Layer: At the heart of DMaaST, cognitive digital twins operate at two levels—individual manufacturing services and broader sector value chains. These twins leverage expert knowledge, algorithm-driven analytics, and physical modeling to predict outcomes and optimize operations.
  • Decision Support Layer: Implementing a cutting-edge distributed decision support system, this layer harnesses Federated Deep Learning to refine production decisions, balancing multiple objectives for maximum efficiency.
  • User Interface Layer: The user-facing component of DMaaST delivers real-time scoreboards and assessments, offering stakeholders clear insights into production circularity and sustainability metrics.

Lanell’s Impact and Vision

Through our advisory role, Lanell has ensured that the principles of sustainable development and traceability are deeply integrated with the DMaaST framework. Our expertise in digital product passports has been instrumental in framing a platform that not only supports efficient manufacturing processes but also champions environmental stewardship.

Moving Forward with Sustainable Solutions

The DMaaST project is set to revolutionize how industries approach manufacturing, with a keen focus on sustainability and adaptability. By leveraging technologies between TRL3 and TRL6, DMaaST is paving the way for a new era in sectors such as aerospace and electronics, championing the adoption of Manufacturing as a Service (MaaS).

As we continue our journey at Lanell, our commitment to innovation remains unwavering. We believe in the power of technology to create a more sustainable future and are proud to be at the forefront of this transformative journey.

Let’s Innovate Together

Are you ready to explore how digital twins and smart manufacturing technologies can elevate your business? Contact us at Lanell. Our team of experts is ready to guide you through the complexities of digital transformation and help you harness the full potential of your manufacturing capabilities.

Let’s build a sustainable future together. Innovation starts here.

You can also read more about the EU project here: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/how-to-participate/org-details/999999999/project/101138648/program/43108390/details

Bridging the Gap Between Commitment and Action in Fashion’s Decarbonization Journey

On By Niels StenfeldtLeave a comment

The fashion industry stands at a critical juncture, faced with the daunting task of translating ambitious decarbonization commitments into tangible actions. A new analysis by McKinsey highlights the urgency and potential pathways for the industry to meet its environmental targets. With fashion brands, from the largest to the smallest, pledging to create more sustainable apparel by 2030, the challenge now lies in keeping pace with these commitments. Despite these ambitious goals, approximately two-thirds of brands are trailing behind their own decarbonization schedules, with 40% reporting an increase in emissions since their commitments.

The fashion sector, responsible for an estimated 3 to 8% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, is on a trajectory that could see emissions rise by 30% by 2030 without further action. This reality underscores the urgency for rapid emission reduction, especially in countries central to fashion’s value chain and most vulnerable to climate change. Despite the industry’s significant carbon footprint, McKinsey’s research suggests a silver lining: most fashion brands could slash their GHG emissions by over 60% for a fraction of their revenues, with strategies extending beyond consumer behavior-dependent actions like reselling and renting.

To navigate this complex landscape, McKinsey identifies six challenges and corresponding actions critical for the fashion industry’s sustainable transformation:

Challenges to Overcome:

  1. Maintaining Sustainability as a Priority: Sustainability efforts often wane during tough financial times, overshadowed by immediate cost concerns.
  2. Embedding Sustainability Throughout the Business: True sustainability requires deep integration into all facets of the operating model, demanding new collaborative approaches.
  3. Decarbonization Path Complexity: Crafting an effective decarbonization strategy necessitates comprehensive insights into supply chains and emission hotspots.
  4. Supply Chain Transparency: Achieving granular visibility into supply chains is essential for setting and measuring emission baselines accurately.
  5. Implementation Underestimation: The execution of large-scale sustainability strategies is fraught with challenges, requiring a rigorous approach akin to digital transformations.
  6. Fragmented Supplier Landscape: Engaging a vast network of suppliers in sustainability initiatives is challenging without significant brand involvement and investment.

Accelerating Decarbonization:

  1. Derive Commercial Value from Sustainability: Align sustainability efforts with consumer values to enhance brand equity and market differentiation.
  2. Focus on Material and Energy Transition: Target high-emission areas such as fabric and fiber production by adopting greener materials and energy-efficient processes.
  3. Develop a Detailed Roadmap: Prioritize decarbonization actions based on their potential impact, cost-efficiency, and speed of implementation.
  4. Improve Data Granularity: Transition from industry-average to brand-specific data for more accurate emissions tracking and decision-making.
  5. Enhance Execution and Management: Adopt a robust transformation plan with clear accountability, systematic progress tracking, and governance.
  6. Foster Action-Oriented Collaborations: Work collectively within the ecosystem to define decarbonization pathways and invest in sustainable initiatives.

The McKinsey analysis makes it clear that while setting decarbonization goals is a crucial first step, the real challenge – and opportunity – lies in maintaining momentum towards these targets. The fashion industry’s path to sustainability is fraught with obstacles, yet it is also ripe with potential for innovation and transformation. By addressing these challenges with proactive and collaborative actions, the industry can not only meet its environmental commitments but also secure a competitive advantage in an increasingly eco-conscious market. The time for action is now, with early movers poised to lead the charge towards a more sustainable and resilient fashion industry.

Embracing a future beyond waste: The AGEC Law and the implication for digital transformation in sustainability

On By Niels StenfeldtLeave a comment

In recent years, France has become a beacon of legislative innovation with the adoption of the “loi AGEC” (Anti-Waste for a Circular Economy) in 2020. This groundbreaking law has introduced a series of pragmatic and straightforward measures aimed at drastically reducing waste and fostering a circular economy. Its impact is pervasive, subtly altering consumer experiences in stores and restaurants across the country – changes so seamlessly integrated into daily life that many may not realize they’re a result of stringent legal mandates.

The AGEC law mandates significant shifts away from disposable consumer culture: the replacement of disposable tableware in restaurants with reusable alternatives, the cessation of distributing plastic toys in favor of eco-friendly paper or cardboard versions, the reduction in unnecessary plastic bottle distribution at public events, and the move towards digital or requested-only receipts, among others. Even the acceptance of reusable containers by retailers and restaurants for takeout orders marks a commendable step towards reducing single-use plastic consumption.

However, beyond these visible changes lies a more profound implication for how businesses and consumers interact with products and their lifecycle information. This transition heralds a significant push towards digital transformation, emphasizing the need for dynamic, accessible product information- a shift from static information to the innovative concept of digital twins.

The Digital Twin: A new paradigm for product lifecycle management

The AGEC law, while primarily focused on waste reduction and the promotion of a circular economy, inadvertently underscores the necessity for a more sophisticated approach to product information management. In a world increasingly concerned with sustainability, the static nature of traditional product information proves inadequate. This is where the concept of the digital twin comes into play—a digital replica of a physical product that captures its entire lifecycle from production to disposal.

Digital twins represent a quantum leap in how we understand, interact with, and manage products in a sustainable manner. They allow for real-time tracking of product use, end-of-life management, and the environmental impact of products. This capability aligns perfectly with the goals of the AGEC law, providing consumers and businesses with the transparent, actionable information needed to make more responsible choices.

Why the AGEC law foretells the future of digital product passports and product environmental footprints

The effectiveness of the AGEC law in France serves as a powerful example of how legislative action can drive substantial environmental benefits and transform consumer behavior. It also signals a broader shift that could be amplified and extended through the adoption of an upcoming initiatve in the EU called Digital Product Passports (DPPs).

DPPs, much like digital twins, will evidently offer a detailed, dynamic record of a product’s environmental footprint, materials, and end-of-life handling options. At Lanell, we believe they will not only be a tool for compliance but for driving deeper consumer engagement with sustainability. As we observe the positive impacts of the AGEC law, it becomes evident that the logical next step is to expand these principles globally, leveraging technology to provide a more comprehensive, accessible view of product sustainability.

The circular economy: A model for the future

The transition towards a circular economy, and embodied in the AGEC law, represents a fundamental shift in our relationship with products and resources. It’s a model that prioritizes reuse, repair, and recycling over the linear extract-produce-consume-waste paradigm, resonating with the planet’s ecological boundaries.

As we look forward to the broader adoption of principles similar to the AGEC law worldwide, several critical questions arise. How will the impact of these legislative actions be measured? What strategies will other nations adopt to combat waste and promote sustainability? And importantly, how can we ensure that recycling, while necessary, is viewed as a last resort rather than a carte blanche for continued consumption? At Lanell we can help with this.

Conclusion: A call to action for global sustainability

The AGEC law’s introduction in France is not just a local success story; it’s a clarion call for global action towards sustainability. As digital transformation continues to redefine every aspect of our lives, the integration of digital twins and digital product passports emerges as a crucial tool in this journey. These technologies offer the potential to extend the principles of the AGEC law beyond French borders, providing a blueprint for sustainable consumption that respects our planetary boundaries.

By closely examining and learning from the AGEC law’s implementation, we can gather insights and inspiration for crafting more sustainable futures worldwide. It’s a testament to the power of legislation, technology, and collective action in shaping a world where sustainability is not just an aspiration but a reality.

It will be interesting how far we have come in two years for now. At Lanell we predict it will come slow – but then take off like a hockey stick.