When Ascendance launched its mission to develop technologies and solutions that will make aviation more sustainable, it faced a variety of complex challenges. There was the unique ambition to design new technology that made its vision possible, which took the form of two key products: STERNA, a hybrid-electric solution that drastically reduces carbon emissions, and ATEA, a vertical take-off and landing aircraft powered by STERNA, that operates as a low-carbon alternative to helicopters for regional air mobility (passenger transportation, medical emergencies, logistics and security missions).

In addition, the startup also needed to prepare for the aftermath of creating an innovative new plane model. Once it had a pilot design ready to fly, Ascendance would have to transform its operations to industrialize. This transition required new strategies, workflows, and processes, all of which called for a partner that could help define the future after making contributions to the development of STERNA and ATEA. Acknowledging this reality, Ascendance reached out to 乌鸦传媒 and the organizations launched a long-term collaboration that would cover the entirety of the product development process and the subsequent business transformation.

Accelerating sustainable aircraft design

As 乌鸦传媒 experts joined the project, the combined project team focused on three key focus areas: flight physics, systems engineering, and mechanical engineering.

With flight physics, the partners studied flight properties of aircraft architecture as well as aerodynamics, which the team analyzed via numerical simulations and wind tunnels. This research provided insights into the impact of flight controls, weight, center of gravity, and aerodynamic forces on aircraft handling. All of this helped refine the design of the STERNA and ATEA products so that their performance matched the start-up鈥檚 ambitions.

Meanwhile, Ascendance and 乌鸦传媒 also collaboratively improved many areas of product development thanks to systems engineering. This ensured that the aircraft prototypes were European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)-certifiable and that aircraft systems essential for flight would function effectively while also achieving greater sustainability. This included the energy and propulsion systems, which involved power generation and distribution, batteries, and engine control and monitoring.

Finally, 乌鸦传媒 deployed mechanical engineering expertise to design the architecture of the prototype. Ascendance and 乌鸦传媒 combined composite materials, performed finite element analysis of parts and assemblies, and introduced construction principles while installing key components.

The collaboration between the two organizations made new achievements possible so that STERNA and ATEA continually improved in line with the start-up鈥檚 goals. However, this was far from the end of the collaboration, which had a great deal of room to grow.

Strengthening a successful collaboration

In 2024, Ascendance and 乌鸦传媒 further reinforced their collaboration via the definition of a comprehensive strategy for accelerating Ascendance鈥檚 shift to industrialization, articulated around four interconnected workstreams.

First, 乌鸦传媒 defined a target architecture for the future ATEA assembly line that demonstrates strong resilience to critical parameters which cannot be frozen at an early stage of design. Introducing high flexibility to constraints and leveraging field-proven best practices for greenfield projects, the project team optimized Ascendance鈥檚 future industrial setup, from the layout of assembly stations and equipment to stock strategy and premises surface.

Second, 乌鸦传媒 focused on developing a make-or-buy strategy for batteries, which are a critical element of the aircraft. Developing a comprehensive understanding of the components, suppliers, costs drivers, and manufacturing bottlenecks throughout the value chain provided clear insights to guide Ascendance鈥檚 decision-making and mitigate business impact.

Third, 乌鸦传媒 defined a strategy for connected services development that increases customers鈥� value perception while positioning Ascendance as a higher-premium aircraft provider in the market. Based on Ascendance鈥檚 target market positioning, the project team built a tailored connected services portfolio to better serve specific customers, associated with services development roadmap and recommended business models.

Lastly, 乌鸦传媒 developed a cross-functional data and digital continuity strategy that secures the foundations of Ascendance鈥檚 operational efficiency. Driven by 鈥渁t-rate鈥� business needs, the project team designed a comprehensive data-centric target IS/IT architecture to ensure robust and scalable processes in anticipation of future product evolution. In addition, this reduced the risk of enabling digital continuity by elaborating a data governance and operating model specifically for Ascendance.

Innovation now and for the future

Having laid the foundation for a strong collaboration to enable the pursuit of low-carbon aviation, Ascendance and 乌鸦传媒 remain committed to accelerating the industrialization of both the STERNA and ATEA products. This will lead to the prototype鈥檚 first flight in the upcoming year, which will mark a turning point for the start-up and the wider industry.

In addition, Ascendance and 乌鸦传媒 will mature their collaboration with the industrial ecosystem to expand their access to resources that can enhance prototype performance and unlock industrialization bottlenecks.

The pursuit of a more sustainable world is an ongoing and complex journey. Through their collaboration, Ascendance and 乌鸦传媒 have reached new heights that will only continue to enable their joint pursuit of sustainable design and practices in aviation.

In a world increasingly focused on sustainability and environmental responsibility, companies across all industries are under growing pressure to minimize their carbon footprint and maximize operational efficiency. Siemens, a leading global provider of technology and infrastructure solutions, recognizes the need to reduce CO2 emissions in its IT data centers, hyperscalers and third-party services as part of its overall commitment to sustainability.

As a pioneer in technology and engineering, Siemens recognizes the importance of proactive measures to reduce environmental impact and ensure regulatory compliance. Therefore, the company鈥檚 IT infrastructure and portfolio service unit made the strategic decision to launch a project to reduce CO2 emissions in its IT data centers while improving operational efficiency.

The consequences of inaction were obvious: without proactive measures to reduce CO2 emissions, Siemens risked falling behind its competitors in the sustainability race and facing potential regulatory penalties. Siemens recognized these risks and decided to lead by example instead of waiting for external pressure on the company.

When choosing a partner for this ambitious project, Siemens opted for a company with a proven track record in sustainability consulting and technological innovation. 乌鸦传媒, known for its expertise in both areas, proved to be the ideal match and enabled a partnership based on a shared vision of sustainability, innovation, and a commitment to delivering tangible results.

Proactive collaboration drives sustainability

By leveraging 乌鸦传媒鈥檚 consulting and digitalization expertise and its own deep domain knowledge, Siemens Corporate IT developed a comprehensive plan to guide its in-house data center sustainability efforts. The challenge for Siemens was to gain transparency on and reduce CO2 emissions in their in-house data centers while maximizing efficiency and ensuring regulatory compliance. Siemens also aimed to automate sustainability data management to reduce manual workload.

To meet this challenge, Siemens Corporate IT and 乌鸦传媒 developed a detailed and scalable data collection framework for its in-house data centers, hyperscalers, and third-party providers. The partners worked together closely to pilot this framework, creating transparency into CO2 emissions and energy efficiency. Through data analysis of the resulting baseline and stakeholder interviews, potential optimization measures were identified, including a methodology for standardizing energy and CO2 data, and supporting a balanced IT hardware procurement process for the in-house data centers.

鈥淭he sustainability expertise and commitment of 乌鸦传媒 are remarkable. With excellent results we create added value for all stakeholders and can meet regulatory requirements. With this project, we supported Siemens Corporate IT in consolidating its role as a frontrunner in data center sustainability.鈥�

Matthias ReineckeProject Manager Sustainable Data Centers
Siemens IoT and Platform Services

The collaboration between Siemens and 乌鸦传媒 serves as an innovation hub, promoting best practices and continuous improvement. The piloted approach to sustainability in data center operations sets a benchmark for the industry, demonstrating how proactive collaboration can drive significant and lasting change.

A strong foundation for the future

With the developed solution, Siemens Corporate IT has set a remarkable foundation for its in-house data center sustainability efforts. The company now operates with improved visibility into CO2 emissions and energy efficiency, enabling decision-making for optimized operations and ensuring regulatory compliance. Meanwhile, the automation of sustainability data management has been targeted with a tooling evaluation to significantly reduce the manual workload, allowing employees to focus on more strategic tasks.

Siemens benefits from the increased operational transparency and strategy to leverage cost savings, which is the result of streamlined processes and optimized resource utilization. In addition, the reduced carbon footprint is in line with the company鈥檚 climate goals and strengthens its reputation as a sustainability pioneer in the manufacturing and IT industries. The collaboration between Siemens and 乌鸦传媒 has not only fostered innovation and best practices but also laid a strong foundation for future aspirations.

Looking to the future, Siemens is ready to continue its sustainability journey by building on the success of this project. The company is well equipped to take the next steps to further reduce its environmental impact and drive continuous improvement. To do so, Siemens and 乌鸦传媒 will continue to drive continuous innovation and create even greater value. The future holds exciting prospects for Siemens as the company continues to lead the way in sustainable data center operations.

The cosmetics sector is critical to the French economy. Consisting of around 3,200 companies, it represents nearly 246,000 jobs in France 鈥� 80% of which are in the regions 鈥� and generates a turnover of 45 billion euros. In addition, the industry makes a substantial contribution to French exports, which significantly impacts the country鈥檚 trade balance.

Today, this industry faces numerous ecological, regulatory, and reputational challenges: the use of natural resources (plants, water, etc.), energy consumption, waste management, and consumer health and safety, among others. Given this, the question industry is how can companies in the fashion industry reduce these risks, undergo profound transformation, and build a solid and sustainable strategy for the next twenty years?

The Federation of Beauty Companies (FEBEA) represents this sector and has set itself the mission of providing valuable assistance to its members. This means facilitating their eco-responsible transition trajectory by offering them a clear analytical and methodological foundation. By working on the regulatory compliance obligation to which they are subject, the FEBEA will ensure that members can build their long-term environmental, social, and governance (ESG) roadmap.

In an increasingly demanding regulatory environment, the cosmetics sector must face significant challenges to meet new reporting standards. The CSRD places particular emphasis on double materiality, which considers both the impacts of companies鈥� activities on the environment and society, as well as the impacts of ESG issues on their financial value. In response to this regulatory focus and to fulfill its role more effectively, the FEBEA decided to improve its ability to analyze the ESG impacts and opportunities in the industry.

A participatory methodology for concrete results

To carry out this analysis, the organization engaged 乌鸦传媒 Invent to develop a new method for ESG analysis. Together, the partners reviewed the information needed by industry companies and the logistical challenges the Federation faced.

Based on their joint conclusions, the FEBEA and 乌鸦传媒 arranged and managed a participatory approach that actively involved members through individual interviews, co-reflection workshops, and a feedback webinar bringing together more than 130 participants. This method identified divergences and convergences based on companies鈥� strategies while adjusting the conclusions based on feedback, thus strengthening companies鈥� commitment to co-constructing adapted solutions.

The analysis revealed that the cosmetics sector faces a variety of material issues related to the environment as well as social and governance fields. Moreover, French cosmetic companies place a high priority on climate change, the use of natural resources, consumer health and safety, and business ethics.

An analysis providing value to both FEBEA and its members

The double materiality exercise constitutes a first step towards CSRD compliance, structured around three key stages: adaptation of the analysis, deployment of reporting, and data management optimization. These stages will provide a solid methodological foundation for each member to build and reliably ensure their compliance. The double materiality analysis identified the priority topics to address for the first CSRD reporting exercise in 2025. Meanwhile, it facilitated stakeholder dialogue, prepared companies for new requirements, and improved ESG performance comparability, structuring a coherent approach to ESG issues at the sectoral level.

Although the diversity of business models within the sector led to varied perceptions of ESG issues, the FBEA and 乌鸦传媒 Invent expect a progressive convergence of practices as companies adapt to new regulatory requirements.

Now with this new analytical methodology established, the FBEA is positioned to more effectively provide its members with a clear vision of the primary upcoming risks for the cosmetics sector, as well as the opportunities that will help build sustainable and responsible cosmetics for tomorrow.

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The automotive industry faces a world of opportunity in the form of EcoDigital transformation 鈥� the simultaneous advancement of digital and sustainable practices.

Also known as twin transformation, this dual approach is crucial for manufacturers looking to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market that demands a faster, cheaper, resilient, software-driven and sustainable industry.

The supply chain is a decisive factor in achieving these goals. Effective partner ecosystem integration allows for real-time sharing of critical data and insights, enabling manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers to work together more efficiently. This collaborative approach not only accelerates the development of innovative solutions but also enhances overall operational performance while reducing the carbon footprint and complying with ESG regulations. In this article, we will explore why supply chain partner integration is paramount for driving the EcoDigital transformation with a data-powered, collaborative approach.

The importance of data collaboration in the automotive value chain

Data collaboration ensures that information is consistently available and accessible throughout the automotive value chain 鈥� from suppliers to manufacturers to end users to third parties (and back). Timely access to accurate data in a common single source of truth enables companies to make informed decisions quickly, reduce delays, react to critical incidents and improve overall operational efficiency.

In stock, on time and ethical

For example, real-time data on component availability can prevent production bottlenecks, allowing manufacturers to maintain steady output and meet customer demand without excess inventory. A seamless flow of data allows for real-time monitoring of production processes, inventory levels, and supply chain dynamics. Going further, clear commodity tracking can also help to quickly narrow down ESG risks and thus initiate effective joint countermeasures. For example, suppose a mining operation is using unethical employment practices. In that case, partner companies can use their shared data to uncover those practices, and then either pressure the mining operation to improve, or switch suppliers. Also, if data is used to derive product or process improvements, taking the value stream perspective prevents local optimization, leading to problem shifting towards up- or downstream elements.

Unfortunately, traditional data silos often hinder the effective use of this information. First and foremost, the silos within the company’s own boundaries must be overcome. Open data ecosystems break down these silos, facilitating seamless collaboration and communication among all stakeholders.

Cost reduction

Data continuity contributes significantly to cost reduction across the automotive value chain. By optimizing processes based on real-time data insights, companies can minimize waste, reduce operational inefficiencies, and lower production costs. Moreover, continuous data flow enables better demand forecasting, allowing manufacturers to adjust production schedules accordingly and avoid overproduction or stock-outs. It also significantly reduces the effort required for procurement and compliance with regard to the elimination of ESG risks and creates comparability of carbon footprints. This agility in operations translates into lower costs and improved profitability.

Data-driven insight

With continuous access to data, automotive companies can leverage advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms to derive insights that enhance predictive capabilities. This also opens up completely new opportunities for OEMs and suppliers to gain insights into the performance of their components in the field and to develop new business models. For example, manufacturers can analyze historical performance data to anticipate maintenance needs before failures occur. That way, predictive maintenance reduces downtime and repair costs while improving reliability. As an added bonus, predictive maintenance helps avoid vehicle recalls and repairs, reduces emissions and increases customer satisfaction.

Process mining

Another promising technique for optimizing cost, time, and carbon footprint with the use of data is process mining. This data-driven approach involves extracting knowledge from event logs to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement. By analyzing the actual execution of processes based on real-time data, manufacturers can pinpoint areas where costs can be reduced, lead times shortened, and sustainability enhanced. For example, process mining can help identify the most efficient routes for transporting materials between suppliers and production facilities, minimizing fuel consumption and emissions while optimizing delivery times.

Understanding the EcoDigital transformation

In the section above, we saw the power of data. Now let鈥檚 look at what happens when data and sustainability are combined. The integration of digital technologies (such as AI, IoT, and digital twins) with sustainable practices (like decarbonization, ESG risk management, and circular economy) creates a synergistic effect that enhances the overall value stream in several ways.

• By using digital tools to monitor and optimize manufacturing processes, companies can reduce energy consumption and material waste.
• Digital twins allow for extensive testing and simulation before physical production begins. This capability not only accelerates the design process and reduces waste but also enables manufacturers to create more efficient and environmentally friendly products.
• The circular economy approach encourages automotive companies to integrate more secondary or biobased material in their products and to maximize the use of their assets, resulting in improved profitability. By implementing second-life strategies like remanufacturing and repurposing, for example, companies can significantly multiply revenues per vehicle.
• The focus on lifetime value and asset utilization also lowers total costs, making it easier for companies to offer competitive pricing while maintaining healthy margins. A lifetime view also helps manufacturers to think about more customer-friendly usage scenarios throughout the vehicle lifecycle.
• Continuous data flow from connected vehicles provides insights into customer usage patterns as well as into the current vehicle whereabouts and owner, which enables data-informed strategies for recycling and reusing materials. This data also makes software calibrations possible, to address individual driving behaviors. These 鈥� naturally consensual 鈥� insights into customer behavior enable many new business models that OEMs have not been able to consider to date.
• As regulations around emissions and sustainability become stricter, companies that embrace both digital and sustainable transformations are better positioned to comply with these requirements and to profit early from additional business potential such as data product monetization.
• Digital tools can streamline reporting processes and ensure that manufacturers meet environmental, social & governance standards throughout their operations.

Regulatory requirements

As regulatory frameworks rapidly evolve to support ESG responsibility initiatives 鈥撀� such as the EU Data Act 鈥� automotive companies must ensure compliance with multiple data-sharing mandates. Data continuity facilitates adherence to these regulations by ensuring that all relevant data is captured accurately and shared with appropriate stakeholders in a timely manner. This not only mitigates legal risks but also builds trust with consumers who are increasingly concerned about how their data is used. Key regulations include:

• Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD): Effective from FY 2025, this EU legislation mandates that large companies publish regular reports on their environmental and social impacts, where, among other requirements, reports must be fully machine-readable. It encourages transparency and accountability, helping stakeholders evaluate non-financial performance.
• Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD): This directive requires companies to enforce higher human rights and environmental standards throughout their value chains. It emphasizes the need for responsible sourcing and production practices, which is simply not feasible with existing human resources without the targeted use of digital tools and component traceability.
• Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): CBAM aims to equalize carbon costs between EU products and imports, impacting industries like automotive that are raw-material intensive. It necessitates that companies account for emissions associated with imported goods e.g., steel, aluminium and cement, thus promoting greener production methods.
• Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR): This initiative sets sustainability requirements for products, including digital product passports, increased secondary material use, and a reduced carbon footprint, as we have reported here. Batteries, as those used in electric vehicles, are the first product group to require digital passports, enabling lifecycle tracking and transparency in sourcing and recycling. Expansion to full-vehicle passports is expected soon.

These regulations collectively create a framework that drives automotive companies toward more sustainable practices while fostering an environment conducive to open data sharing.

Catena-X 鈥� the first operational data collaboration framework for automotive

One prominent initiative in this realm is Catena-X, an open and collaborative data ecosystem designed specifically for the automotive industry. It aims to standardize data flows between multiple stakeholders, enabling seamless information exchange. By integrating all players 鈥� from manufacturers to recyclers 鈥� Catena-X addresses critical challenges such as supply chain resilience and compliance with sustainability regulations. With a comprehensive set of benefits for its participants, Catena-X provides a strong foundation for companies to accelerate their sustainability efforts and remain competitive in an evolving regulatory landscape. And the strong standards also help incentivize the important supplier landscape to actively participate in the data ecosystem.

Some features of Catena-X include:

• Enhanced Traceability: Catena-X enables improved tracking of components from raw materials to recycling, ensuring compliance with environmental and social standards, and optimizing recycling processes. This traceability is achieved through unique business partner numbers, part IDs and scalable standards like APIs and semantics.
• Real-Time Data Access: Participants can access real-time information about supply chain dynamics, enabling quicker responses to disruptions and better resource management. The decentralized peer-to-peer data exchange model ensures that data stays within each company and is only shared with direct partners ensuring full control by the data owner.
• Sustainability Metrics: Catena-X facilitates accurate lifecycle assessments to quantify the environmental effect across the value chain, replacing secondary data (average values, e.g. for the electricity mix or steel production, mostly based on association data) with more and more primary values that reflect each company鈥檚 real impact. This data can be used to optimize processes and report on sustainability metrics like Product Carbon Footprint and a company鈥檚 share of secondary material.
• Reduced Interfaces: Instead of managing hundreds of interfaces with customers and suppliers, Catena-X provides a single platform where companies can choose software based on their needs. All certified software works together seamlessly, reducing complexity and costs.
• Regulatory Compliance: Catena-X offers a “speedboat solution” for complying with upcoming regulations like Product Carbon Footprint, Product & Battery Passes, ESG reporting, and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. Common rulebooks are defined to ensure all participants meet these requirements. This is achieved in cooperation with many other initiatives (e.g., TFI, GRI) to ensure the international reach of the standards.
• Collaborative Innovation: By breaking down data silos and enabling radical collaboration, Catena-X allows companies to jointly develop innovative solutions to industry challenges. The open ecosystem approach and standardized data flows accelerate time-to-market for new sustainability initiatives, while also serving the business case for sustainability.

Conclusion

In one of the 乌鸦传媒 Research Institute reports – Sustainability in Automotive: From ambition to action, we examine the various aspects of sustainability in automotive in depth. The EcoDigital Transformation of the automotive industry is essential for creating a more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable value stream. By integrating these two dimensions and fostering partner integration through open data ecosystems, automotive OEMs can not only enhance their operational capabilities but are also perceived as pioneers in terms of sustainability. While challenges remain, the potential benefits in terms of cost savings, operational efficiency, and environmental & social impact are clear.

As stakeholders across the value chain come together to embrace this dual-sided (r)evolution, they will not only contribute to a greener industry but also position themselves for long-term success in an increasingly competitive and conscious market environment. Those who first embrace change will most likely become the ones leading the way into the future of the industry. The time to act is now, as the path to the EcoDigital Era requires collective action and a shared commitment to the planet and people.