Material input, energy consumption, and the environmental footprint must be included in the product development planning process from day one. That’s a prerequisite for creating innovations combining technology and environmental consciousness.

Standards play a key role in the development, acceptance and market introduction of technology – especially when it comes to complex and forward-looking topics like hydrogen. An expert reveals the background.

The tradition of ushering in the new year with a dazzling fireworks display is increasingly coming under criticism. An alternative has been capturing more and more hearts and heavens: laser shows.

It doesn’t always have to be a solar module on a roof or a wind turbine in a field. Around the world, resourceful engineers are seeking to tap new energy potential. “tomorrow” presents three innovative pilot projects.

Why can a comprehensive and successful energy transition effort be achieved only by integrating a molecule transition? What investments, what prerequisites would be necessary for that? An expert explains.

“The Ocean Cleanup” intends to scoop some 90 percent of the plastic waste that’s close to the surface from the world’s oceans by 2040. The non-profit organization was founded by a then teenager whose greatest fans include the UK pop band Coldplay.

Cities of tomorrow are integrated, sustainable, and efficient. New technologies change how we get around, live, work, and shape our life. But how can smart solutions be integrated into existing infrastructure? Experts provide answers.

Mammoth amounts of data and factors must be considered in calculating the emissions of a product. Schaeffler has developed a CO₂ calculator specifically for that purpose and integrated it into its processes. Here’s what that digital tool is all about

“tomorrow” asked an expert: Do technologies like the world’s largest carbon suction system or a huge carbon capture and storage plant truly work and how efficient are they for capturing carbon dioxide and getting the climate crisis under control?

More than 170 companies in pursuit of a single goal: the development of a consistent data ecosystem for the automotive industry. Read and learn here what the industry teamwork called Catena-X is all about.

It’s hidden underneath layers of turf although its true place is in the limelight. The reason is that the soil below our feet is a crucial player in the ecosystem, albeit an ailing one. High tech can help make it fit again.

COO Andreas Schick (53) has been responsible for Production, Supply Chain Management and Purchasing at Schaeffler since 2018. In an interview with Schaeffler today, he talks about the sustainability activities undertaken in these areas.

What incredibly old age can extremophile plants achieve? In which city was climate protection history made? How many tons of end-of-life electric vehicle batteries will we need to soon recycle? Test your knowledge in our best-of-the-best quiz!

At a time in which climate change constitutes one of the most pressing challenges the reduction of their carbon footprints is turning into an increasingly important task for companies worldwide. But how do you measure such a footprint?

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.

Competition my foot! Agrivoltaics shows that the simultaneous use of land for farming purposes and solar power production is possible.

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.

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.

What makes the battle against microplastics so difficult? What’s the average age of the freighters navigating the world’s seas? What can private citizens use to produce drinking water? Delve into the oceanic world and test your knowledge.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wouldn’t it be great if the summer heat could be recovered for heating in winter? Scientists worldwide are researching this. “tomorrow” presents new types of storage: Sand, acid and, more recently, soapstone.

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.

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.

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.

Engineer and circumnavigator Corentin de Chatelperron shows how to be self-sufficient with amazingly simple technology even in the remotest corner of the Earth.

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.

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.

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.

Does shipping offshore wind power to onshore grids make sense? A Japanese start-up says yes it does.

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.

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.

Schaeffler aims to operate in a climate-neutral manner by 2040 - not only in its own production facilities, but along the entire supply chain.

An e-car can only become truly carbon-neutral if it’s produced sustainably and operates with clean electricity.

This high-speed boat is said to achieve a speed of 150 km/h (93 mph)or 80 knots. That would be a new world record.

With renewable raw materials and new ideas, the construction industry is planning to level out its deep carbon footprint.

How do you fish something out of the ocean that you can’t see? By using clever “catching methods” for microplastics and nanoparticles.

Some countries produce more sustainable energy than they need. New technologies help distribute surplus power efficiently.

Billions of plants for millions of jobs: The Great Green Wall across the continent is the world’s largest landscape restoration project.

Friction-optimized headwind vehicles drive into the wind faster than the wind blows against them.

Only when the human, nature and technology triad is in perfect harmony will sailors stand a chance of finishing the Vendée Globe. Mental agility is a key skill in the world’s toughest non-stop regatta

Over the course of millennia, the wind has been working for humans. In the future, the wind will become a powerful ally in the battle against climate change – thanks to technological innovation.

Sun, wind and water can supply sufficient energy to cover the worldwide demand. An efficient global power grid is an important key of innovation to achieving this goal.

Digital transformation is changing the world of construction and helps save time, costs and natural resources. Much of this is still a vision, but is an all-new world of construction in store for us?

Use as a storage medium, as propulsion energy and as a carbon substitute in industrial applications: There are quite a few expectations pinned on hydrogen. Schaeffler’s hydrogen expert Dr. Stefan Goss

Electric powertrains don’t have to involve range issues: The fuel cell is a case in point. How does this technology work and why has it recently become a hot topic?

The massive plastic pollution of the oceans is one of the greatest challenges of our time. However, there are encouraging, ambitious projects and ideas.

In the 17th century, the Netherlands had the biggest merchant fleet in the world. The rise of the small nation was accelerated by the efficient utilization of a renewable source of energy: wind.

“Next Exit: The Future” is the title which the renowned science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar selected for his new book. In an interview, Ranga Yogeshwar answers the most pressing questions.

In the animal kingdom, a great diversity of strategies for an energy-efficient way of life has developed in the course of evolution. “tomorrow” presents fauna’s efficiency kings.

Infinite energy, clean and for free – is that really just a pipe dream? Three ideas between science fiction and hard physics.