transformIT News 2025

News
6 - 7 May 2025
Brussels Expo
Transform It.
Sustain It.
Lead It.
From strategy to action: Building the future
of European tech and industry
Andrej
Kuzmenko
LCA Professional,
Siemens AG
Stefan Moritz
Secretary General
of European
Entrepreneur
CEA-PME
Theresa
Schredelseker
Research Management and
Science Communication
Officer, ZBT – Zentrum für
BrennstoffzellenTechnik
Dr. Thomas
Schulte
Senior Vice President,
Supply Chain
Management
Purchasing,
Robert Bosch GmbH
Alessandro
Pistillo
Director of
Sustainability
& Digital Strategic
Projects, BASF
See all speakers
transformit.eu
TransformIT Europe / 6 - 7 May 2025, Brussels 1

PROGRAMME
DAY 1
Tuesday, 6 May 2025
DAY 2
Wednesday, 7 May 2025
09:00
Opening
Jan Nintemann
Moderation: Bob Snyder & Desiree
Schneider
Keynote: Google representative
09:30
Green IT, Digitalization and AI
Is smarter tech the key to
a greener future – or just a
smarter excuse?
Topic Introduction
Moderation: Bob Snyder
Keynote:
• Prof. Dr. Harald Wehnes (University
of Würzburg)
Presentations:
• Wiebren van der Zee (ABN AMRO)
• Jens Mühlner (T-Systems)
• Rosenda Manas Faura (Resilio)
Panel Discussion:
• All Participants
• Moderation: Bob Snyder & Desiree
Schneider
11:20
Coffee Break,
Networking & Exhibition
11:50
ESG / CSRD Software and
Services
From Reporting to
Resilience – Is technology
the enabler of ESG
transformation?
Topic Introduction
Moderation: Desiree Schneider
Keynote:
• Robert Szilinski (Esentri AG)
Presentations:
• Rainer Karcher, heartprint
• Katharina Trump, PWC
Panel Discussion:
• All Participants
• Moderation: Rainer Karcher &
Desiree Schneider
13:30
Lunch Break
14:30
Sustainable Product Design
From concept To Endof-Life
and back- is
sustainable product design
more than we think?
Topic Introduction
Moderation: Kay Langhammer
(Wuppertal Institute)
Keynote:
• Martin Eichenseder (TCO Certified)
Presentations:
• Andrej Kuzmenko (Siemens AG)
• Alessandro Pistillo (BASF)
Panel Discussion:
• All Participants
• Moderation: Kay Langhammer &
Desiree Schneider
16:15
Business Matchmaking /
Networking
19:00
Evening Event
09:00
Opening & Interview
09:30
Smart Buildings, Cities and
Infrastructure
How Can Intelligent
Infrastructure Shape Cities
Where People Truly Want
to Live?
Topic Introduction
Moderation: Bob Snyder
Keynote:
• Prof. Dr. Viktor Grinewitschus (HS
Ruhrwest)
Presentations:
• Joost Demarest (KNX International)
• Armin Anders (EnOcean GmbH)
• Georg Weber (WILO)
• Volker Weissenberger (CREE
Buildings)
Panel Discussion:
• All Participants
• Moderation: Bob Snyder & Desiree
Schneider
11:40
Coffee Break,
Networking & Exhibition
12:10
Renewable Energy and Mobility
From Buzzwords to
Breakthroughs – What’s
Stopping the Renewable
Revolution?
Topic Introduction
Moderation: Mendes Jenner (Forum
Nachhaltig Wirtschaften)
Keynote:
• Dr. Thomas Schulte (Bosch)
Presentations:
• Mary Poddar (Schneider Electric)
• Theresa Schredelseker (ZBT)
Panel Discussion:
• All Participants
• Moderation: Mendes Jenner
& Desiree Schneider
13:50
Lunch Break
14:50
Circular Economy
Circular Economy –
Europe’s Last Chance to
Stay Competitive?
Topic Introduction
Moderation:
Stefan Moritz (CEA-PME)
Keynote:
• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Kampker (remote)
Presentations:
• Kai Keune (AfB gGmbH)
• Dr. Christoph Soukup (Steinbeis
Center for Circular Economy)
• Laili Ishaqzai (Molano)
• Maarten de Roos (Circular IT
Group)
Panel Discussion:
• All Participants
• Moderation: Stefan Moritz &
Desiree Schneider
17:00
Wrap-up
Moderation & Jan Nintemann
News
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MASTERCLASSES
DAY 1
Tuesday, 6 May 2025
DAY 2
Wednesday, 7 May 2025
13:30 - 14:45
Room 1
Google Developer Group Conference
Room 2
From Storytelling to Impact: The
Sustainability Challenges in Media
Production;
- Konrad Gerger, Konrad Gerger Media
Room 3
Beyond Carbon: Holistic Life Cycle Impact
Assessment with Siemens’ Green Digital
Twin
Room 4
Reuse of IT and mobile devices: What
are the benefits for companies, society &
environment? And what are the challenges
and opportunities for refurbishers?
- Daniel Büchle, CEO AfB social & green IT
16:15 - 17:30
Room 1
Google Developer Group Conference
Room 2
THE LAST INVESTMENT FRONTIER Partnering
with Indigenous Communities for a
Regenerative Future
- Workshop Holger Weckmueller & Christoph
Taenzer
11:15 - 12:30
Room 1
Reserved for ADEX Partners
Room 2
Sustainable IT Procurement in Practice
– Challenges, Tools & Insights
Barton Finn, TCO
Room 3
Climate Fresk mit Xavier Criel
Room 4
T- Systems / Charta Digitale Vernetzung
14:00 - 15:15
Room 2
ESG Risk Storming, Beren van Daele
Room 3
Live Podcast «Tech & Trara» on Stage-
Netzpiloten
- Lennart Brauer and Daniel Mendes Jenner
Room 4
T- Systems / Charta Digitale Vernetzung
Room 3
„Decentralized Transparency: Blockchain
as the Key to Sustainable Supply Chains“,
Tobias Jornitz, Fraunhofer-Institut für
Materialfluss und Logistik IML
Room 4
Future-Proofing IT Operations: Concrete
Paths to Decarbonize and Create Business
Value with a Green ITOps Approach
Matthieu Herbet, Head of Alliances, Sopht

WELCOME REMARKS by
Jan Nintemann
Founder, TransformIT Europe
CEO, Global Fairs
TransformIT Europe 2025:
Building the Foundation
for Sustainable Transformation
For Europe, “business as usual” is
no longer an option — the EU’s
Green Deal and the Corporate
Sustainability Reporting Directive
(CSRD) have made sustainable
transformation an urgent mandate.
Companies of all sizes now face strict
requirements to cut their environmental
impact and disclose progress. Those that
fail to adapt will be left behind in this
unprecedented push for accountability.
In response to these changes, we
launched TransformIT Europe 2025
as a catalyst for action. It’s not just
another tech expo where sustainability
is a sideline — TransformIT Europe is
the first trade show fully dedicated
to actionable digital solutions for
sustainability. By bringing together
cutting-edge technologies and
services under one roof, we aim to
help businesses meet EU sustainability
standards while remaining competitive.
Over two decades ago, I helped lead
CeBIT, the definitive trade show that
ushered Europe into the computer era.
CeBIT proved how a focused event
can accelerate innovation. That legacy
inspired me to create TransformIT Europe
for the sustainability era. Today we
stand at a similar crossroads: we have
the technology to make businesses
sustainable, and we need a platform to
bring it all together. Think of TransformIT
Europe as a “CeBIT for the Green Deal
age” — where digital transformation
meets important sustainability goals.
TransformIT Europe 2025 is designed to
deliver concrete benefits for small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Under
CSRD, even mid-sized firms will soon
need to produce sustainability reports
— a task daunting without guidance
or tools, especially for those lacking
the resources of large corporations.
Our event addresses this head-on by
showcasing Greentech solutions that
make sustainable practices attainable.
From software that automates emissions
reporting to AI that optimizes energy
use, every solution on our show floor is
chosen for its practical impact. For any
SME unsure where to begin, TransformIT
Europe provides answers, expertise, and
partners ready to help.
We have also assembled a top-tier
lineup of expert speakers. High-profile
leaders like Dr. Thomas Schulte of
Bosch and Martin Eichenseder of TCO
Certified — among many others —
will demonstrate how they’re turning
sustainability ambitions into reality.
From energy-efficient manufacturing to
circular product design, they will show
that viable solutions already exist and
are being put into practice. Hearing
these insights will give attendees not
just knowledge but the confidence to act
on it.
The message is clear: we must act
now to secure a sustainable future.
TransformIT Europe 2025 is more than
an event — it is the beginning of a
community that will lay the foundation
for Europe’s sustainable transformation.
By coming together, sharing knowledge,
and forging partnerships, we can turn
climate goals into practical business
realities. I look forward to seeing you
all in Brussels in May to be part of this
journey. Together, let’s embrace this new
era and ensure Europe leads in aligning
digital innovation with sustainable
progress
GREENTECH
TRADE SHOW
PARTY
INSPIRING
IDEAS FOR
GREEN
BUSINESS
4 TransformIT Europe / 6 - 7 May 2025, Brussels

Business Networking & Matchmaking
Where Conversations
Turn into Opportunities
SHAPING THE FUTURE TOGETHER:
EXPERIENCE NEXT-LEVEL NETWORKING
AT TRANSFORMIT EUROPE 2025.
At TransformIT Europe 2025 in Brussels, the spotlight is on the future:
sustainability, digital transformation, and AI. But real innovation
happens where people connect.
Our Marketplace brings exhibitors,
innovators, and decision-makers
face-to-face – at booths and through
vibrant, interactive networking
formats.
Discover. Engage. Connect.
In our Business Networking Area,
chance encounters become strategic
opportunities. With our matchmaking
tool, you can schedule meetings ahead
of time or on the fly – making sure
you meet the right partners when it
matters most.
Whether you’re a visionary, a solution
provider, or a decision-maker – our
networking concept connects the right
minds for a shared future.
We’re creating the perfect
environment for powerful
connections:
» Ample breaks for spontaneous
conversations
» Networking lounges at the heart
of the exhibition
» An inspiring evening event
designed to spark deeper
discussions and lasting
partnerships
» Whether carefully planned or
born from the moment – this is
where connections that matter
begin.
Ready to build the network of tomorrow?
Use our Matchmaking Tool and connect today:
Contact Günther Ohland: Guenther.ohland@transformit.eu

News
Andrej Kuzmenko
LCA Professional, Siemens AG
Spotlight:
European
GDG
Conference
on AI
Sustainability by design:
how Siemens is turning ambition
into action with digital tools
For Siemens’ Andrej Kuzmenko, practical sustainability starts with
data, mindset—and a Green Digital Twin.
As sustainability moves from ambition to obligation,
digital innovation is proving essential to bridge the
gap. At TransformIT Europe 2025, Andrej Kuzmenko,
LCA Professional at Siemens AG, showcases how
the company’s Green Digital Twin is turning bold
sustainability goals into real-world progress.
For Kuzmenko, digital transformation and
sustainability are inseparable. “They’re two
sides of the same coin,” he says. With increasing
regulatory pressure from the EU Green Deal and
CSRD, companies are struggling to respond quickly
and effectively. But when tools like the Green Digital
Twin are applied, environmental assessments that
once took weeks can now be completed in days—
not just saving time, but embedding sustainability
directly into product development from day one.
The challenges, however, remain significant.
Collecting and validating environmental data is
still complex and resource-intensive, especially
for SMEs. Many companies also face difficulties
comparing sustainability metrics because different
methods produce incompatible KPIs. And all of this
is happening under tight time constraints, with
SMEs lacking resources and larger firms bogged
down by internal complexity.
That’s why standardization and automation are at
the heart of Siemens’ solution. The Green Digital
Twin allows companies to assess environmental
impact across 16 different categories, automate
the creation of Environmental Product Declarations
(EPDs), and integrate ecodesign early in the
development process. It transforms sustainability
from a theoretical concept into a scalable,
manageable process.
Kuzmenko’s advice for small and mid-sized
enterprises is pragmatic: start small, start digital.
Even simple steps like improving data collection
can yield measurable improvements. He encourages
SMEs to adopt tools that align with industry
standards and to look for scalable solutions—like
digital twins—that can grow with their business.
And most importantly, collaboration is key:
“Connect and communicate with your stakeholders,
work together,” he urges.
At the core of Kuzmenko’s message
is a belief in mindset. Compliance
is important—but it’s only the
beginning. “We need a mindset
change,” he says. “It’s about
making sustainability a
natural part of how we
design and operate—not a
box-ticking exercise.”
With the right tools, the
right partnerships, and the
right attitude, Kuzmenko
believes companies can
transform complexity into
clarity—and sustainability
into strategy
Taking place on 7 May from
08:00 to 18:00 during Transform
IT Europe 2025, the European
Google Developer Group (GDG)
Conference will bring together AI
experts, developers, and thought
leaders to explore the future of
European AI. With a strong focus
on ethical frameworks, regulatory
alignment, and open innovation,
the event will feature cutting-edge
demos, real-world case studies,
and interactive sessions. It’s a
unique opportunity to connect
AI development with sustainable
digital transformation — and to
see how Europe can lead in building
trusted, human-centered AI.
CONFERENCE
> Tuesday, 6 May 2025 - 14:30
From concept To End- of-Life and
back- is sustainable product design
more than we think?
Topic Introduction
Moderation: Kay Langhammer (Wuppertal Institute)
Keynote: Martin Eichenseder (TCO Certified)
Presentations:
Andrej Kuzmenko (Siemens AG)
Alessandro Pistillo (BASF)
Panel Discussion: All Participants
Moderation: Kay Langhammer & Desiree Schneider
6 TransformIT Europe / 6 - 7 May 2025, Brussels

News
“Green and Competitive”:
Why SMEs are the key to Europe’s
sustainable future
Stefan Moritz, Secretary General of European Entrepreneurs CEA-
PME, calls for fewer burdens, more innovation — and a political
framework truly fit for SMEs.
Stefan Moritz
Secretary General of
European Entrepreneur
CEA-PME
As the EU races toward climate neutrality, Small
and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) find
themselves at the frontlines of both opportunity
and risk. Stefan Moritz, Secretary General of
European Entrepreneurs CEA-PME — a network
representing over two million companies across
Europe — brings a vital message to TransformIT
Europe 2025: green goals can’t succeed without
competitiveness.
A long-time advocate for SME-driven innovation,
Moritz warns that current EU frameworks risk
penalizing the very businesses expected to lead
the transition. Between overregulation and a lack
of accessible support, many SMEs are overwhelmed
before they can even begin their sustainability
journeys.
For Moritz, it’s time to cut red tape, empower
industry collaboration, and rethink how we
support those most likely to deliver real impact. In
this exclusive Q&A, he outlines the barriers, shares
practical advice, and reaffirms the central role of
SMEs and mid-caps in achieving a fair and futureproof
Green Deal
Which key themes and messages will you focus
on during your session at TransformIT Europe?
I am focusing on conveying the message that a
fair and competitive green transition is the only
way forward for European Small and medium
sized companies. The importance of greening
businesses is clear, but we cannot forget to ensure
that SMEs remain competitive throughout this
process. Otherwise we will continue to lose talent
and potential, as they leave the EU to seek fortune
abroad, in turn weakening our European economy
and beyond. The keywords are less bureaucracy
and red tape and more innovation, as it is the
only way forward for European SMEs to strive
and remain competitive in the current situation.
Without substantial changes, and politics fit for
SMEs, this ambition to innovate and increase
sustainability won’t be realizable.
In your opinion, what are the main challenges
businesses face today when trying to align with
the EU Green Deal and CSRD obligations?
The main challenges companies face when it
comes to the Green Deal and CSRD is the excessive
amount of reporting burden that they face. SMEs
have to invest more time and money into filling
out reports, rather than being allowed to thrive in
greening their company, benefiting from incentives
and state/EU aid. As previously said, it is a matter
of staying competitive. Same for the Green Deal,
it needs to be “green… and competitive”. That’s
the slogan we launched with one of our initiatives,
to highlight how indeed companies must go green,
but must also be allowed and helped remaining to
be competitive. At the current state, SMEs cannot
make use in an effective way from the benefits
of greening policies, as it only poses a burden to
them, which should be removed.
How do you see digital transformation – through
AI, data, or automation – helping companies
implement sustainability in a meaningful and
measurable way?
If information is shared correctly, and the resources
are made available to all SMEs, AI and other
innovations can come in very handy to companies.
Leveraging technologies to automate certain tasks
and have employees work on more value-adding
tasks (for them and the company) is one of the
many benefits we can see from this interaction, for
instance. As a confederation we have focused a lot
on providing assistance for companies to navigate
these innovations with our webinar series “AI
for my company”, as SMEs are the main actors
involved in it, but there is still a long way to go
to make everything truly accessible. Digitalisation
coupled with sustainability practices has a huge
potential to grant our companies the right edge to
navigate the current markets, which are becoming
more complex to manage. However, changes at the
legislative level have to be made to allow for this
potential to be fully exploited.
What advice would you give to small and
medium-sized enterprises that want to take
concrete steps towards sustainability, but may
lack internal resources or technical knowledge?
My advice would be to become part of business
associations, network with other professionals,
share best practices, inform yourself on funding
opportunities, grants and cooperation. There are
several EU level initiatives waiting for companies
to take advantage of them. Also, it is fundamental
to get involved and ensure that our national
representatives act on our behalf and ensure that
this green transition actually helps SMEs and not
simply penalize them, as it is happening now.
Concretely, SMEs are able, by starting small, to
implement changes, but as time goes by external
expertise might be necessary nevertheless.
But this is why incentives have to be given to
companies so that they can strive no matter what.
What is important however, is to use the voice
that companies have to clarify what their opinions,
needs and demands are.
What message or takeaway would you like
participants to remember after attending your
session?
The central message is the following: achieving
Net-Zero in 2025 is solely possible with SMEs
and Mid-caps. This will come to life only thanks
to market driven green innovation and successful
(competitive) business activities
CONFERENCE
> Wed., 7 May 2025 - 14:45
Circular Economy – Europe’s Last
Chance to Stay Competitive?
Topic Introduction
Moderation: Stefan Moritz (CEA-PME)
Keynote: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Kampker (remote)
Presentations: Kai Keune (AfB gGmbH)
Dr. Christoph Soukup (Steinbeis Center for Circular
Economy), Laili Ishaqzai (Molano), Maarten de Roos
(Circular IT Group)
Panel Discussion: All Participants
Moderation: Stefan Moritz & Desiree Schneider
TransformIT Europe / 6 - 7 May 2025, Brussels 7

Bringing Sustainable Innovation to the Market —
Transforming Business, Transforming Society
Across industries, technical solutions for sustainable products
and services have already been developed. Innovation is
not the issue — the challenge lies in market adoption. If
these green technologies were fully integrated into
distribution and application, achieving carbon zero within a
few years would be within reach.
This is why we created transformIT Europe: to accelerate the
widespread adoption of sustainable technologies across
the economy and society. True transformation happens
through business. GreenTech needs a permanent
marketplace — a vibrant hub where innovation meets
opportunity, enabling cross-industry collaboration and
continuous development.
Take the opportunity to book your stand for transformIT
Europe 2026 — either directly onsite during the event or
through our sales team. We offer personalized support to
help you design and optimize your booth, ensuring you
achieve maximum visibility and engagement.
For booking inquiries and tailored planning support, please
contact us at sales@transformit.eu.
JAN NINTEMANN
MANAGING DIRECTOR
SEE YOU IN
2026
www.transformit.eu

News
From Hype to Hydrogen:
how research and regulation can
power real change
Theresa
Schredelseker
Research Management
and Science
Communication Officer,
ZBT – Zentrum für
BrennstoffzellenTechnik
Theresa Schredelseker,
Research Management and
Science Communication
Officer, ZBT – Zentrum für
BrennstoffzellenTechnik on
realistic hydrogen strategies,
EU pressure on SMEs, and the
value of collective intelligence.
Hydrogen is often painted as the silver bullet
of Europe’s clean energy ambitions. But as
Dr. Theresa Schredelseker of the Zentrum für
BrennstoffzellenTechnik (ZBT) reminds us,
real innovation lies not just in headlines, but
in infrastructure, collaboration, and sober
assessments of feasibility.
IIn her session at TransformIT Europe 2025,
Schredelseker will cut through the hype and offer
a grounded view of hydrogen’s role — not as a
miracle solution, but as a powerful enabler when
deployed with strategy and support.
Drawing on her experience in applied research,
she also calls for smarter regulatory support for
small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), many
of whom struggle to keep pace with Europe’s
rapidly evolving climate framework. She shares
key insights into how hydrogen can support
the energy transition, what CSRD and EU Green
Deal rules mean for businesses today, and why
sustainability must become a shared task — not
a solo race.
Which key themes and messages will you focus
on during your session at TransformIT Europe?
My session provides an overview of where hydrogen
can realistically contribute to the energy transition.
As renewable electricity expands, energy storage
becomes essential—and hydrogen is one option
for storing electricity over longer periods and
transporting it across regions. It also enables
decarbonization in sectors where direct
electrification is difficult.
The talk spans the full chain: from green
hydrogen production via electrolysis,
through infrastructure and transport, to
end-use in technologies like fuel cells. I’ll
also reflect on the role of applied research
institutes in this context. For startups and
SMEs, collaborating with these institutes—often
through publicly funded projects—can be a smart
way to access testing infrastructure, certification
expertise, and research experience. Many
institutes are part of larger research platforms
that combine complementary expertise, helping
accelerate technology readiness and address
research challenges collectively.
In your opinion, what are the main challenges
businesses face today when trying to align with
the EU Green Deal and CSRD obligations?
CSRD, ETS II, and CBAM are crucial elements
in the EU’s effort to make sustainability
measurable, reportable, and enforceable. But
many businesses—especially small and mediumsized
ones—are not yet fully prepared. From
what I’ve heard in conversations with chambers
of commerce, the most pressing challenges
(besides high energy prices) are long and opaque
permitting procedures, bureaucratic complexity,
and a lack of time and guidance. For many SMEs,
these regulations come on top of an already heavy
administrative load. Most can’t afford a dedicated
sustainability regulations expert, yet the new rules
require profound policy expertise.
Instead of each company building that capacity
alone, it might be more efficient if chambers, trade
associations, or networks provided shared advisors
and built support structures. Instead of expecting
each business to train yet another all-rounder to
take on sustainability “on the side,” this could
enable more focused expertise, reduce individual
investments in cost and risk, and facilitate
knowledge transfer across companies. It could
avoid a situation where half-trained multitaskers
sweat through complex regulations in isolation,
spending valuable time figuring things out from
scratch. Therein, it could avoid a familiar pattern:
businesses realizing the scope of new obligations
only shortly before deadlines—underprepared,
overwhelmed and scrambling for extensions and
last-minute exemptions. Shared professionals
could foster a collaborative environment that
builds joint professionalism—and maybe, just
maybe, we’ll make it in time. Because we’d better.
IDON’T WAIT TOO LONG
TO ACT. YES, PLANNING
UNCERTAINTY EXISTS—BUT THE
BROADER FRAMEWORK IS
ALREADY CLEAR.
What advice would you give to small and
medium-sized enterprises that want to take
concrete steps towards sustainability, but may
lack internal resources or technical knowledge?
Don’t wait too long to act. Yes, planning uncertainty
exists—but the broader framework is already
clear. Reporting obligations, carbon pricing, and
sustainability documentation will affect almost
every business. So it makes sense to train your staff
early, identify internal knowledge gaps, and reach
out for help—whether from research institutes,
chambers of commerce, trade associations, or
public offices. If you feel unprepared, say so.
There’s more support out there than many realize.
And because these requirements apply across
the board, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.
Work together—ideally across sectors or in publicprivate
partnerships—to build shared tools and
solutions, preferably open source. That way, the
community can spread the workload, benefit from
each other’s experience, and collectively develop
systems that are more adaptable and robust than
any one company could create alone. Sustainability
isn’t a solo race—it’s a shared task
TransformIT Europe / 6 - 7 May 2025, Brussels 9

News
Sustainability, digitization,
and the mindset shift:
Bosch’s call to action
Dr. Thomas Schulte
Senior Vice President, Supply
Chain Management Purchasing,
Robert Bosch GmbH
Dr. Thomas Schulte, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain
Management Purchasing, Robert Bosch GmbH, on what it really
takes to align with CSRD and move towards Net Zero — even in
times of uncertainty.
As the regulatory and technological landscape
shifts rapidly, so too must businesses.
At TransformIT Europe 2025, Dr. Thomas Schulte of
Bosch will offer a candid look at how companies —
especially in complex supply chains — can adapt,
digitize, and lead the charge toward sustainability.
For Schulte, the message is clear: flexibility is
critical, and sustainability is non-negotiable. But
the journey to Net Zero requires more than good
intentions — it demands pragmatic thinking,
reliable data, and strong digital foundations. From
AI-powered analytics to the digitization of supply
chains, mature tech solutions are no longer a
luxury; they are mandatory.
Still, the road is far from smooth. Many businesses
face uncertain regulations, a lack of supplier
readiness, and unpredictable economic conditions
— all of which complicate long-term planning.
In this context, collaboration becomes essential.
Schulte urges SMEs to join forces, leverage training
from trade associations, and learn from larger
players who are further along the sustainability
curve.
His advice is simple but powerful: digitize,
collaborate, and stay agile. “There is no reasonable
alternative if you want to remain competitive,” he
notes.
Above all, Schulte believes in the power of people.
“Mindset and ambition are key,” he says. Without
them, no transformation — digital or sustainable
— will succeed. With them, businesses can not
only meet CSRD requirements, but become resilient
drivers of change in a decarbonized economy
CONFERENCE
> Wed., 7 May 2025 - 12:10
> Renewable Energy and Mobility
From Buzzwords to Breakthroughs
– What’s Stopping the Renewable
Revolution?
Topic Introduction
Moderation: Mendes Jenner (Forum Nachhaltig
Wirtschaften)
Keynote: Dr. Thomas Schulte (Bosch)
Presentations: Mary Poddar (Schneider Electric)
Theresa Schredelseker (ZBT)
Panel Discussion: All Participants
Moderation: Mendes Jenner
& Desiree Schneider
Alessandro
Pistillo
Director of Sustainability
& Digital Strategic Projects,
BASF
Data is the driver: how
digital tools are accelerating
sustainability at scale
BASF’s Alessandro Pistillo explains why the key to compliance
and real change lies in data, not perfection.
CONFERENCE
> Tuesday, 6 May 2025
Sustainable by Design –
But Will Consumers Pay the Price?
Topic Introduction
Moderation: Kay Langhammer (Wuppertal Institute)
Keynote: Martin Eichenseder (TCO Certified)
Presentations: Andrej Kuzmenko (Siemens AG)
Mary Poddar (Schneider Electric)
Alessandro Pistillo (BASF)
Panel Discussion: All Participants
At Transform IT Europe 2025, Alessandro
Pistillo, Director of Sustainability & Digital
Strategic Projects at BASF, will shine a spotlight
on one of the most underestimated levers of
transformation: data.
“Data is not just a reporting tool—it’s a
driver,” he argues. In his session, Pistillo
will explore the power of digital product
passports and automated carbon accounting to
move sustainability from ambition to
measurable reality. When integrated across
the supply chain, these tools enable informed
procurement, smarter investment, and
transparent compliance with initiatives like
the EU Green Deal and CSRD.
But Pistillo also points to a major obstacle: the
market’s current lack of reliable, verifiable data.
While regulations are evolving fast, market
demand remains weak. For meaningful change,
he says, we need harmonized standards and
stronger collaboration across industries.
For SMEs, his message is reassuring yet firm:
don’t wait for perfect conditions. “Identify
your key transformation levers and just start,”
he says. Use AI tools to learn faster, and most
importantly, team up — with peers, partners,
and platforms that can support the journey.
From automation in life-cycle assessments to
the creation of digital data ecosystems, Pistillo
believes the digital transformation will only
succeed if data quality and interoperability are
prioritized from the ground up.
“Let data guide you,” he says, “and automate
as much as you can.” It’s not only a compliance
strategy — it’s the foundation of a more
sustainable, intelligent economy
10 TransformIT Europe / 6 - 7 May 2025, Brussels

12 TransformIT Europe / 6 - 7 May 2025, Brussels