#Sustainability

Smart solutions for cleaner flying
Think Green
Smart solutions for cleaner flying
Researchers at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) found out: Small changes in flight altitude and airspeed, together with the choice of energy source, can already enable significant environmental impact reductions.
September 2023
Science vs. Fiction
In Motion
Science vs. Fiction
Schaeffler’s Automotive CEO Matthias Zink assesses ten propositions about mobility of tomorrow.
August 2023
What will the car of the future consist of?
In Motion
What will the car of the future consist of?
The car industry is constantly looking for new materials. Lighter, more heat-resistant, more resilient, more natural – or just something unique. We describe what aspects of automotive interiors and exteriors are subject to current research.
August 2023
The art of making plates
Engineering
The art of making plates
Schaeffler is demonstrating its development capabilities in the field of hydrogen-powered mobility with a new generation of metallic bipolar plates for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells.
August 2023
Double benefit
Think Green
Double benefit
Competition my foot! Agrivoltaics shows that the simultaneous use of land for farming purposes and solar power production is possible.
August 2023
Wastewater as a resource
Think Green
Wastewater as a resource
For a long time, sewage disposal used to be motivated mainly by the idea of just getting rid of it. Now experts are calling for a paradigm shift in the spirit of a more sustainable circular economy: sewage must become a resource.
July 2023
Winds aloft and Herculean forces
Think Green
Winds aloft and Herculean forces
Wind power systems could soon be rising high into the sky at altitudes of 400 meters (1,300 feet) and delivering up to 25 megawatts. Growing along with the wind turbine towers are the forces acting on the mechanical systems of such behemoths.
July 2023
Is ultrafast satellite internet on the horizon?
Digital
Is ultrafast satellite internet on the horizon?
Swiss researchers have succeeded in developing ultrafast data transmission via laser and satellites.
June 2023
“It could work out! If …”
Engineering
“It could work out! If …”
Transformation, change, strengthening resilience – how does that work? Andreas Hoberg, production expert and business consultant, classifies priorities and vocabulary.
May 2023
New ways to navigate the city
In Motion
New ways to navigate the city
Urbanization is a worldwide megatrend. However, as irresistible as the appeal of big cities may be, living together at close quarters entails social challenges. Some of the major ones revolve around hauling people and goods. Here are some examples.
April 2023
“The world of work is being upended”
Engineering
“The world of work is being upended”
Fraunhofer research scientist Professor Roman Dumitrescu, Director of the Product Development Research Unit, explains why engineering excellence is becoming an increasingly important resilience factor for businesses.
April 2023
Be brave!
Engineering
Be brave!
Traits that characterize captains at the helm of a ship in a storm include resilience and pragmatism. What can people at the helm of businesses learn from mariners in terms of resilience? Quite a bit, says maritime expert Stefan Kruecken.
March 2023
Economy in a circle
Think Green
Economy in a circle
Whenever an object ends up in the garbage it ends up in the wrong place. The pace at which the amount of garbage is growing matches the pace at which important raw materials around the globe are dwindling. The future belongs to circular economy.
March 2023
Houston, we have a garbage problem
Engineering
Houston, we have a garbage problem
The number of satellites in space is rising rapidly. But what if these high-tech objects go to pot? Then they orbit the Earth at high speed as dangerous space debris. To make the orbit resilient for the future, a clean-up mission is needed.
February 2023
Logistic Rubik’s Cube
Digital
Logistic Rubik’s Cube
43,252,003,274,489,856,000 – that’s the number of possible turns to solve the famous Rubik’s Cube. The options of the global logistics network are similarly diverse. At Schaeffler, the Transportation Data Cube (TDC) takes care of that.
November 2022
Space-based electric power – a viable option?
Think Green
Space-based electric power – a viable option?
Solar power systems do not produce energy at night, so it would be better to install them where the Sun “shines” for 24 hours. That would only be the case in space. Solar energy from Earth’s orbit – a feasible vision or science fiction?
November 2022
Schaeffler’s visionaries
Engineering
Schaeffler’s visionaries
How can the transportation sector become more sustainable? And how can Schaeffler accelerate that transformation? Those questions are among the ones that the specialists in Schaeffler’s Advanced Innovation department address and explore.
October 2022
“Freight shipments are becoming increasingly autonomous, compartmentalized and spontaneous”
In Motion
“Freight shipments are becoming increasingly autonomous, compartmentalized and spontaneous”
Freight haulage offers plenty of potential for greater sustainability. Transportation expert Professor Gernot Liedtke explains what technologies lend themselves to such improvements and what role the government should play in that regard.
November 2022
Heavy-haul trucking …
In Motion
Heavy-haul trucking …
Sustainable transportation solutions require sustainable energies. The sometimes gigantic facilities required for this need to be hauled on normal roads. That’s a Herculean logistical task for which manufacturers develop highly specialized chassis.
September 2022
“The key to sustainability lies on the railroad tracks”
In Motion
“The key to sustainability lies on the railroad tracks”
Rail is among the most efficient means of transportation but a lot of its potential remains untapped. An interview about challenges and solutions with Dr. Michael Holzapfel, Senior Vice President Business Unit Rail at Schaeffler.
September 2022
Sand is becoming scarce!
Think Green
Sand is becoming scarce!
Sand is our second-most important raw material after water. It’s hard to believe, but what seems to have always been in abundance on the ground has now become extremely scarce. Why? Find out more here.
August 2022
Six innovative lifesavers
Think Green
Six innovative lifesavers
Eight billion people inhabit the Earth and nearly four billion of them are already living without reliable drinking-water supply today. Around the world, researchers are developing new technologies for tapping sources of drinking-water.
August 2022
“Recalibrating, reinventing – in all directions”
Think Green
“Recalibrating, reinventing – in all directions”
Supply chains under permanent stress – production processes in a state of flux, plus everything should become sustainable. Schaeffler board member Andreas Schick explains how forward-thinking technologies can be leveraged for recalibration.
August 2022
Hyped up by H
Think Green
Hyped up by H
Hydrogen has a high energy density per mass – plus high innovation potential for the decarbonization of many sectors. The development of a global hydrogen economy is in full swing – but far from having reached its objectives. A status report.
July 2022
Sustainability – how solid is your knowledge?
Think Green
Sustainability – how solid is your knowledge?
What is special about the “anti-solar cell?” What is the Great Green Wall in Africa? Sustainability is one of the most important megatrends of our time - test your knowledge.
July 2022
“Due to the many question marks that still exist, we develop without limitation to any specific technology”
In Motion
“Due to the many question marks that still exist, we develop without limitation to any specific technology”
The E-Mobility division he leads was one of the key protagonists at Schaeffler's latest product show. An interview with Dr. Jochen Schröder about challenges that have been mastered and potential that’s yet to be tapped in the field of E-Mobility.
September 2022
“We’re showing a festival of innovations”
In Motion
“We’re showing a festival of innovations”
For Matthias Zink, the Schaeffler Kolloquium 2022 will be the most spectacular one to be held to date. An interview with the CEO Automotive Technologies about the highlights of the event.
June 2022
All-around green
Think Green
All-around green
Many companies have set themselves ambitious sustainability goals. But that won’t be enough if the partners in their supply chains don’t follow suit.
July 2022
Energy from the deep – the next big thing
Think Green
Energy from the deep – the next big thing
When it comes to energy production, the focus is more on being above ground than below. Instead of coal mines, the emphasis is on wind turbines. Not so at Quaise: The company wants to open up new dimensions for geothermal energy.
May 2022
Sweet energy from CO<sub>2</sub>
Think Green
Sweet energy from CO2
Researchers have been working on making sensible use of the environmentally harmful CO2 for decades. Carbon dioxide can be an important raw material. Even sugar can be produced from it.
April 2022
Setting a course for “simply ingenious”!
Think Green
Setting a course for “simply ingenious”!
Engineer and circumnavigator Corentin de Chatelperron shows how to be self-sufficient with amazingly simple technology even in the remotest corner of the Earth.
March 2022
Energy storage systems of the future
Think Green
Energy storage systems of the future
Electricity storage is a key component of climate gas reduction. What role can mechanical systems such as flywheels, gravity and compressed-air energy storage play in this context? An overview.
May 2023
Electric mobility picks up momentum
In Motion
Electric mobility picks up momentum
Electric powertrain technologies are increasingly catching on. A development that clearly affects globally active automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler as current statistics demonstrate.
March 2022
On the road toward a biobased economy
Think Green
On the road toward a biobased economy
Microorganisms as turbo recyclers, mussels as innovation models or artificial muscles as actuators: Driven by a pioneering spirit, biotechnology is gearing up for the battle against climate change.
January 2022
Sunny yield in the dark
Think Green
Sunny yield in the dark
Solar cells producing green electricity in total darkness? Sounds like a paradox but may become a reality someday. Scientists are working flat out on the anti-solar cell.
January 2022
A comeback for airships?
Future Life
A comeback for airships?
While airships keep appearing on the visionary horizon from time to time none of them has so far managed the leap into the real world of mobility. The H2 Clipper is a new attempt.
January 2022
Shipping electricity
Think Green
Shipping electricity
Does shipping offshore wind power to onshore grids make sense? A Japanese start-up says yes it does.
December 2021
Electric fine-dust catcher
Future Life
Electric fine-dust catcher
Log-burning stoves radiate cozy warmth in winter, but the fine dust emitted by burning wood poses a health hazard and pollutes the environment. A new device provides relief.
December 2021
Crops for insulation
Future Life
Crops for insulation
Effective insulation, good indoor climate, simple production, plus carbon neutrality: new natural building materials using hemp or corn might revolutionize the construction industry.
December 2021
Spun into space
In Motion
Spun into space
Instead of burning thousands of tons of fuel the technology start-up SpinLaunch is planning to hurl rockets into orbit using centrifugal force. This is how the launcher centrifuge is said to work ...
November 2021
Just fill up manure
In Motion
Just fill up manure
A Lithuanian organic food producer has now unveiled the world’s first hybrid tractor powered by biomethane and electricity for professional use: the Auga M1.
November 2021
From gray to green
Think Green
From gray to green
Starting in 2025, Schaeffler will be buying 100,000 metric tons (110,000 short tons) of “green” steel per year from a Swedish startup. The steel will be produced with hydrogen.
November 2021
Wind meets wall
Think Green
Wind meets wall
Norwegian company Wind Catching Systems aims to revolutionize offshore power generation with a “wall” as tall as the Eiffel Tower with 126 small 1-MW turbines.
November 2021
Climate neutrality: Schaeffler sets the pace
Think Green
Climate neutrality: Schaeffler sets the pace
Schaeffler aims to operate in a climate-neutral manner by 2040 - not only in its own production facilities, but along the entire supply chain.
November 2021
All lights switched to green??
Think Green
All lights switched to green??
An e-car can only become truly carbon-neutral if it’s produced sustainably and operates with clean electricity.
November 2021
Riding the wave
Future Life
Riding the wave
Energy-efficient wing-in-ground vehicles as new interurban means of transportation are planned to zip across the sea on air cushions.
October 2021
Steel with a shade of green
Engineering
Steel with a shade of green
A modern world without steel is hardly conceivable – but steel without CO2 emissions is. These are the technologies to achieve change.
September 2021
Closing the loop
In Motion
Closing the loop
Ecological retirement – what happens to old batteries of electric vehicles or decommissioned wind turbines and solar energy systems?
September 2019
How Bob becomes an eco-builder
Think Green
How Bob becomes an eco-builder
With renewable raw materials and new ideas, the construction industry is planning to level out its deep carbon footprint.
September 2021
Simply magnetic
Think Green
Simply magnetic
How do you fish something out of the ocean that you can’t see? By using clever “catching methods” for microplastics and nanoparticles.
September 2021
The future of flying
In Motion
The future of flying
Flying, but greener – that’s what the future of aviation has to look like.
September 2021
Exiting Formula E, entering the DTM
In Motion
Exiting Formula E, entering the DTM
With the final race in Berlin, the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler team has said good-bye to Formula E.
September 2021
Green is the color of hope
Think Green
Green is the color of hope
Billions of plants for millions of jobs: The Great Green Wall across the continent is the world’s largest landscape restoration project.
September 2021
Less is more
Engineering
Less is more
Almost a fourth of the energy consumed is lost to friction. It’s time to change that – with new surface technologies.
September 2021
Create more incentives
Future Life
Create more incentives
In the wake of the unbridled growth of cities, we’re going to see an evolution of urban mobility. tomorrow digital talked to Harry Evers, managing director of the 2021 ITS World Congress
June 2021
Learning for a complex world
Future Life
Learning for a complex world
An innovation-driven world changes all of our lives. Here are five areas education and training should focus on to prepare people for the new digital knowledge society.
December 2020
The future wound in a coil
Engineering
The future wound in a coil
Be it in cars, trains or airplanes, in systems ranging from hybrid to fully electric, mobility of the future requires electric motors. But how does an electric motor actually work?
November 2020
Does the climate gas CO<sub>2</sub> also have a green side to it?
Future Life
Does the climate gas CO2 also have a green side to it?
Whereas all previous plans revolved around storing the climate gas CO2 in underground layers of rock or just getting rid of it, it’s now supposed to be converted into a valuable raw material.
December 2019
Fed up!
Think Green
Fed up!
The massive plastic pollution of the oceans is one of the greatest challenges of our time. However, there are encouraging, ambitious projects and ideas.
September 2019
Back to the track
In Motion
Back to the track
Rail transportation had its heyday in many parts of the world up until the middle of the 20th century but was subsequently neglected. The return to the railroad confronts Brazil with major challenges.
January 2019