Interview with Dr. Nadine Sterley
A long-term approach based on robust sustainability data
GEA’s Chief Sustainability Officer talks about the process behind Add Better, the importance of robust sustainability data, and next steps for Add Better.
How does the Add Better label fit into GEA’s larger sustainability strategy?
Nadine Sterley: GEA has set a number of ambitious climate and sustainability targets and providing customers with resource-efficient Add Better solutions will be a big part of realizing these targets. Most of GEA’s greenhouse gas emissions are indirect ‘Scope 3’ emissions, which result from the use of our machines and solutions by customers. So, making these products more efficient is the most effective way for us to reduce our overall emissions. The same goes for other environmental targets.
Why did you choose to involve TÜV in the Add Better process?
NS: Although ISO 14021 does not require our Add Better label to be validated by an organization like TÜV, we went the extra mile on this for a number of reasons. It underscores our aim to set an industry standard with Add Better; this isn’t your run-of-the-mill green label. So, we set out to develop a very robust process of data collection, calculation and documentation that could be applied to a range of GEA solutions moving forward. Especially with regard to data and documentation, the collaboration with TÜV helped make the Add Better process even more thorough and robust. This is where we want to be, because robust, transparent data is going to be foundational to effective collaboration with customers and other partners moving forward.
What is next in your portfolio of Add Better solutions?
NS: Our first three Add Better solutions are just the beginning. This is a long-term initiative and we plan tosignificantly grow the Add Better portfolio. As a next step, several additional solutions from across the business are currently in the validation phase and will be joining the Add Better family this year – all delivering significant energy and/or water savings in the food, dairy and beverage industries. Moreover, our development process is based on ”Design for Sustainability” and ensures that resource efficiency is prioritized from the very beginning of product development at GEA. This will become more and more visible in the GEA portfolio in the future.
Our first three Add Better solutions are just the beginning. This is a long-term initiative and we plan to significantly grow the Add Better portfolio
Nadine Sterley
Chief Sustainability Officer, GEA
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Interview with TÜV Rheinland
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Add Better:
