Blue Competence
The sustainability initiative of the mechanical and plant engineering industry

Blue Competence is an initiative of the VDMA aimed at promoting sustainability in the mechanical and plant engineering sector. At the same time, the initiative has the goal of informing the industry about sustainable solutions which will lead to new energy concepts, to the efficient use of limited resources, or to an improvement in the overall quality of life.

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Climate-neutral production is a challenge along the entire value chain and occupies many companies. For this reason, the VDMA has now published a practical guide for the mechanical and plant engineering sector.
Our VDMA practical guide "Living sustainability in the company" has now been published by VDMA-Verlag. It is specifically tailored to the mechanical and plant engineering sector and contains extensive knowledge, tips as well as tools to manage, implement and make sustainability transparent.
The final form of the Corporate Due Diligence Directive (CS3D) will be negotiated at EU level in 2023. In Germany, the Bundestag has already passed a Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) in 2021.
Have you already calculated your company's climate footprint and defined ambitious climate targets? But what specific measures can a company take to achieve these goals?
With the ‘Sustainability Talks’, the VDMA is organising a web series on current and relevant sustainability topics for the mechanical and plant engineering industry. You can find an overview of the topics and dates here.
On 26 February, the European Commission published the omnibus proposal on sustainability. The EU Commission is thus responding to the concerns of the overburdened economy and strengthening competitiveness.
We have sat down and compiled an overview for you of the prizes and awards available, the structures and cost models behind them and how they are perceived and received by the public.
The TRP Reworker is a resource-saving technology for the economical reprocessing of return materials, in which unvulcanized rubber compounds are returned to the production process in an automatic process.
Sustainability is the central theme of our present and our actions - by investing in a photovoltaic system, we are pursuing the goal of optimizing our internal infrastructure and production processes and making them more energy-efficient.
Our contribution to the energy transition: as part of our sustainability strategy, high-performance photovoltaic systems are already supplying Brückner Maschinenbau in Siegsdorf and Brückner Slovakia with sustainable electricity.
Research and development beyond plant engineering: Brückner Maschinenbau has always worked together with partners and customers at the Siegsdorf Technology Center on solutions for the circular economy and films of the future.
HAINBUCH has created a sustainable recycling solution for paper, plastics and corundum waste. Through optimized collection and pick-up cycles, we promote recycling, reduce emissions and conserve resources.
LASCO's measure includes the installation of a solar system with 3,692 modules, which means that the solar power capacity exceeds the megawatt threshold for the first time. The aim is to sustainably cover energy consumption and reduce CO₂ emissions.
BLUEDYE sets a new standard in sustainable denim production: nitrogen-based dyeing technology reduces water and chemical consumption while lowering operating costs - for greater resource and cost efficiency
Micro5: Highest precision down to the smallest detail
For a family business, the concept of "grandchildren suitability" is particularly important. For this reason, Vogelsang has already implemented a number of improvement measures in the area of climate protection and resource conservation and is planning more.
SORG CLEAN Melter® - a new melting tank technology for decarbonizing the glass industry
To implement our sustainability strategy, project teams consisting of over 50 "sustainability ambassadors" have been established. All areas of the company are actively involved in the process.
The DESMA PCF Navigator helps to significantly optimize the carbon footprint of elastomer articles
Use of (green) hydrogen as an alternative heating medium to natural gas for energy-efficient use in textile finishing plants (drying plants). The use of hydrogen contributes to climate protection.
District heating generation with multi-stage large-scale turbocompressor heat pump
By replacing outdated air filter technology with new, patented electrostatic precipitator technology, the air quality in a factory building was sustainably improved, operating costs reduced and resources conserved.
The VDMA publishes the first benchmark for industry-wide materiality in accordance with the European Sustainable Reporting Standard (ESRS) of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
With its new building in Waldkraiburg, NETZSCH Pumpen & Systeme GmbH is setting new standards in terms of climate protection and sustainability. The global specialist for complex fluid management aims to achieve complete climate neutrality by 2045.
The VDMA has published a questionnaire on the LkSG, which can be used to further specify potential risks in your own business area and in the supply chain.
This survey provides an overview of the status of the implementation of ESG issues in the machinery and plant engineering industry and what role they play in business relationships and what trends and further impacts are expected.
Here you will find supporting documents to assist you in implementing the contents described in the ZVEI-VDMA Code of Conduct (compliance and sustainability topics) in your company.
This year, the Innovation Award for Climate and Environment 2022 was presented to three partners of the VDMA sustainability initiative Blue Competence, among others. One of these three is Grundfos GmbH from Erkrath. The company received the award in the category "Process innovations for climate protection".
Der Innovationspreis für Klima und Umwelt 2022 wurde dieses Jahr unter anderem gleich an drei Partner der VDMA-Nachhaltigkeitsinitiative Blue Competence verliehen. Einer dieser drei ist die SCHUNK GmbH & Co. KG aus Lauffen. Den Preis erhielt das Unternehmen in der Kategorie „Umweltfreundliche Produkte und Dienstleistungen“.
This year, the Innovation Award for Climate and Environment 2022 was presented to three partners of the VDMA sustainability initiative Blue Competence, among others. One of these three is Kurtz GmbH & Co KG from Kreuzwertheim. The company received the award in the "Environmentally friendly technologies" category.
Blue Competence is an initiative of the VDMA to promote sustainability in mechanical and plant engineering. At the same time, the initiative aims to publicize sustainable solutions to the industry that lead to new energy concepts, efficient use of scarce resources or an improvement in the quality of life.
With the cross-industry Code of Conduct, the VDMA aims to support companies in implementing compliance and sustainability requirements.
With the interactive PDF poster "Sustainability Overview", the VDMA aims to provide an overview of the now very complex topic of Sustainability with the corresponding legal requirements for initial, operational implementation.
Description
With the Blue Competence initiative, the VDMA promotes the development and implementation of sustainable solutions in plant and mechanical engineering. Ecology, economy and social action go hand in hand.
Blue Competence is the sustainability initiative of the mechanical and plant engineering industry.
Guiding principle 4: Sustainable thinking and acting is reflected in our processes and products.
Sustainability is an essential component of our corporate strategy
The 12 guiding principles for sustainability in the mechanical and plant engineering industry are more than just lip service.
In the mechanical engineering sector, there are more and more enquiries about sustainability in the supply chain. To support members in dealing with this, the VDMA now offers telephone advice.
Not new, but still relevant: the Energy Efficiency Guide presents factors that influence the energy efficiency of textile machines and discusses the usefulness of machine labels.
Wichtige Fragen zum Thema
12 sustainability principles for mechanical and plant engineering
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1. Sustainability is an integral part of our corporate strategy.
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2. With sustainable business models, we create stable values and secure entrepreneurial success.
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3. Our technology and solutions promote sustainable development worldwide.
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4. Sustainable thinking and action is reflected in our processes and products.
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5. We act in a resource-efficient manner and are committed to climate protection.
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6. Our employees are our most valuable asset. We encourage commitment and opportunities for participation.
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7. We are committed to respecting human rights.
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8. Our company is habitat.
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9. We are taking on social responsibility in our regions.
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10. We do what we promise!
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11. We maintain an active exchange with all stakeholders.
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12. We communicate our sustainable actions transparently.
Veranstaltungen & Messen
The next working group "Technology - Industrial Washing and Dry cleaning" will take place online on 13.05.2025.
Resilience is increasingly becoming a key political, economic and social concept - but many issues still require further discussion. We want to discuss some of the most important questions with participants from politics, business and science at this joint event organised by VDMA Power Systems and BDEW on 13 May. You can register for this event via the BDEW using the link below.
The CSRD Sustainability Reporting Directive is a key component of the growing EU bureaucracy, the regulatory complexity of which is placing an increasing burden on companies in Baden-Württemberg.
Dear members, we would like to invite you to the meeting of the WTG Technology & Guidelines Working Group in Hamburg. If you have any ideas or comments on the agenda, please send them to us. We will send you the agenda in good time for the meeting Due to the scheduling, we have decided to hold the meeting on the 1st day. Location: VDMA LV Nord Weidestraße 134, 22083 Hamburg Time: May 14, 2025 10:00 - 16:00 Please register for the meeting via the link above by May 09, 2025. We look forward to seeing you! Kind regards Sebastian Steul Technology & Innovation Officer
Sustainability Talk: The VDMA's web series on sustainability
This is new: With our new webinar format "Kantz, short and sweet: From the engine room of P2X regulation", we will be taking a look at current topics relating to legislation on Power-to-X, hydrogen and derivatives in Germany and Europe in loose succession - each at lunchtime and limited to 30 minutes. We will start on Wednesday, May 14 at 12 noon. First, Dr. Carola Kantz will bring us up to date on the current German coalition agreement and give us her assessment, then it's time for your questions: Open fire for your questions. We look forward to hearing from you.
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