Company evening: Resources of the future?
On 3 December 2024, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences (HSRW) held its sixth company evening entitled ‘Resources of the Future’ in the Green FabLab on campus in Kamp-Lintfort. Contributors from the university discussed innovative approaches and challenges with representatives from business and society on a topic that has become increasingly urgent in light of the climate crisis and global crises: Resource utilisation.
After a welcoming address by the Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Environment, Prof. Dr Klaus Hegemann, and the organisers of the evening, René König and Miriam Drazek, three keynote speeches were presented in an informative and practical setting that opened up different perspectives on the topic:
Prof Dr Irmgard Buder and Omed Abed from our transformation project Hydrogen on the Lower Rhine highlighted the potential of hydrogen technologies as a supplement or alternative to electrification in their presentation ‘Hydrogen as an alternative to electrification: a possibility for my company’. They highlighted possible applications that could be of particular interest to companies, but also the limitations of hydrogen technologies.
Prof. Dr Natalie Laibach, who holds the endowed professorship ‘Sustainable Land Use Systems’ at the HSRW in Kleve, presented methods in her presentation ‘Analysing and optimising plant resources – a cooperation offer for companies to promote sustainable land use’ on how companies can contribute to the sustainable use of plant resources through scientifically sound analyses. Her presentation emphasised the importance of cooperation between science and business.
Prof. Dr Daniela Lud, who is responsible for environmental assessment and environmental remediation in the Faculty of Communication and Environment at the HSRW, addressed the practical hurdles that companies often face in her lecture ‘Challenges in the implementation of resource efficiency measures’. She highlighted both organisational and technological aspects and outlined possible solutions for promoting resource efficiency.
Following the presentations, an informal discussion provided an opportunity to engage in dialogue with the speakers and other participants. This open dialogue promoted the transfer of knowledge and provided space for concrete ideas for cooperation.
The event reflected the current challenges in a world where access to resources is becoming less secure and sustainable business is essential.
The series of company evenings is to be continued in the new year. It will be organised by our LabLandscapes team.