The VDWF has dedicated a separate working group to the topic of "sustainability". The participants have now jointly published a "Compendium for the evaluation and design of sustainable management in tool and mold making" as a guideline that supports companies in the industry with practical implementation aids to effectively integrate sustainability into their operational business. "We want to make a contribution to solving global sustainability challenges, while at the same time strengthening the competitiveness of toolmakers," explains working group leader Dr. Wolfram Heger. Economic considerations are an essential part of this: "There is no way around proactive and company-specific sustainability management in tool and mold making," explains the management consultant.

Sustainability as a competitive factor of the future

The compendium offers sustainability concepts tailored to tool and mold making companies. To this end, priority topics were defined in a materiality analysis, their most important requirements were explained, key performance indicators were compiled and evaluated for their suitability in toolmaking, and frameworks were also presented that industry companies can use as a guide. The topics range from "Heat recovery" and "Internal and external logistics" to "Bioplastics in the injection molding process". The appendices provide specific tips and implementation advice for practical use. The compendium is designed as a "living" document that addresses current legal, ecological and social requirements for sustainable management, but also explicitly focuses on further development in terms of changing framework conditions and user feedback.

However, many companies, especially smaller ones, are still at the beginning of the necessary path towards greater sustainability. In many cases, therefore, haste is required, considering that in the foreseeable future data on a company's_{CO2 footprint} and energy consumption will be increasingly demanded by business partners: Suppliers will be selected on the basis of their eco-balance, standards and guidelines will be introduced. Whether climate change, resource conservation or human rights responsible supply chains - the associated challenges are finding their way into laws (EU Green Deal etc.) or the requirement lists of customers and investors at a dramatically accelerated pace.

Anyone who does not want to be left behind in the long term must therefore take urgent action. "But even beyond that: tackling sustainability challenges in a targeted manner and in relation to your own core business is part of corporate responsibility," explains Heger. The "Sustainability Compendium" can be a first step in the right direction. The 60-page guide can be obtained free of charge from the VDWF, and the English-language edition will be available from the spring.