Driving sustainability in European companies: How partnerships and technology unlock success
- 20/01/2025
Sustainability is no longer optional for manufacturing companies. Rising customer expectations and government initiatives, such as the EU’s Green Deal, the Ecodesign Directive and CSRD, are creating an urgent need for action. While large corporations have long embraced sustainability, many European SMEs are now navigating these demands. Fortunately, sustainability-focused technologies are becoming more accessible and adaptable for smaller businesses.
Duynie is at the forefront of driving the transition towards a circular agri-industry as a market leader in Europe in valorising co-products. Their collaboration with Heineken in Project Circle exemplifies this innovative drive, where Duynie uses patented separation technology to repurpose Brewers Spent Grain (BSG) into renewable energy and upcycled protein. This initiative significantly reduces CO2 emissions in operations and the climate impact of protein production. Partnering with 9altitues, Duynie is able to embed the right digital solutions enabling them to facilitate system-wide change for their partners beyond Heineken. By integrating tailored digital solutions, Duynie supports its partners in tracking sustainability performance and driving impactful change. This collaboration helps transform the broader ecosystem, promoting sustainable innovation and efficiency.
"Collaborating with 9altitudes is instrumental in enabling us to support our partners in their sustainability journeys. With their expertise in data-driven solutions, we can facilitate system-wide improvements, helping our partners achieve their sustainability goals. Together, we are proving that by driving innovation and collaboration, sustainability and business success can go hand in hand.”
Circular Business Developer at Duynie
This success story demonstrates how businesses can leverage partnerships and proven technologies to drive sustainability while enhancing business performance.
“To succeed in sustainability, companies need practical solutions that align with their specific needs. Some areas call for niche innovations like those developed with Duynie, while others benefit from strengthening their structural design and enhancing existing systems. At 9altitudes, our sustainability-related solutions are built on the platforms our customers already trust, ensuring a seamless transition to sustainability-focused operations.”
CEO of 9altitudes
ERP systems, once stand-alone tools, are now evolving into interconnected platforms. When integrated with other solutions like CAD and PLM, they form a digital common thread across manufacturing companies. These platforms not only enhance operational efficiency but also enable companies to embed sustainability directly into their product design processes. By facilitating structural design, sustainability can be considered at every stage – from smarter resource planning to circular product development. With the right technology and expert guidance, SMEs can extend their digital transformation efforts to address sustainability efficiently and prepare for future challenges.
Sustainability is an opportunity for innovation and growth. By leveraging existing tools and collaborating with experts, SMEs can turn challenges into actionable progress that benefits both their business and the planet.
About Duynie
Duynie is the European market leader in the valorisation of co-products coming from the food, beverage, and biofuel industries. Founded in 1968, Duynie has grown to a company with 500 employees working on a mission to create new value from co-products. By doing this, Duynie helps the world in the transition towards circularity by making optimal use of resources and reducing environmental impact. Duynie is headquartered in the Netherlands and operates in more than 20 European countries. It serves customers active in feed, (pet) food, technical and energy markets. Duynie is part of agricultural cooperative Royal Cosun.
About 9altitudes
9altitudes is an international digital transformation partner that helps businesses navigate the complexities of Industry 4.0 and 5.0. With deep expertise in Microsoft Dynamics, PTC, and other leading technologies, 9altitudes provides innovative solutions that drive efficiency, enhance customer experiences, and deliver tangible business results. Headquartered in Kortrijk, Belgium, 9altitudes operates across multiple European countries, serving clients in manufacturing, wholesale, distribution, and service. The company is backed by Waterland Private Equity.
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