At the 11th Cumbre de Cotec Europa, an event hosted by the Cotec Foundation, thyssenkrupp supported the organization’s vision for a sustainable model for our economy and production systems. Together with several European partners the company has already developed various products aimed at reducing waste and energy consumption in cities, where the largest amount of energy is consumed.
This event was the first summit of European heads of state centered on the theme of a circular economy. The Cotec Foundation provided the attendees with its first report addressing this subject in Spain, and noted that innovation should be the key transition element with institutions and companies taking a leading role. Last month thyssenkrupp joined the ranks of the Foundation’s trustees, enabling it to contribute to an event tailored to the promotion of a circular economy model.
The King of Spain Felipe VI chaired the event together with the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella; the President of the of the Portuguese Republic; Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa; the European Commissioner of Research, Science and Innovation, Carlos Moedas; and the Director-General for Environment of the European Commission, Daniel Calleja, along with stakeholders of the circular economy vision from the three participating countries.
thyssenkrupp is already developing solutions that will help cities adapt to a new model, because buildings today are the biggest consumers of energy, accounting for 40% of the energy consumed worldwide. Innovations like TWIN, consuming 30% less energy than traditional elevators, or MULTI, which needs 50% less floor space than existing high-rise elevators, will be key to designing sustainable cities. In this regard, thyssenkrupp believes Cotec’s pan-European alliances actively advance the development of sustainability-oriented innovations, thereby promoting the transition to a new economy model.
Javier Sesma, General Manager of thyssenkrupp Elevator’s Innovation Center in Gijon emphasizes: “thyssenkrupp is committed to the principles of a circular economy in all its business areas. We are a part of the selective group that is included in the global “Climate A List” by the non-profit organization CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project) which recognizes the world’s leading companies in terms of climate protection.”
Sesma highlights that “At its Global Research & Development (R&D) Center in Gijon, thyssenkrupp applies eco-design standards and lifecycle assessment analysis in all segments of the Circle of Value. Innovations generated from Spain include the iwalk, which uses 40% fewer components than traditional moving walkways and occupies 60% less space; and the accelerated moving walkway ACCEL, capable of transporting more than 7,000 people per hour at an average speed similar to an urban bus system, and is poised to change the way people will commute in cities.”
thyssenkrupp Elevator has a significant R&D presence in Spain with its innovation center in Gijon, Asturias. In addition, the company also has three manufacturing centers and a total of 5,000 employees in the country.
The Cotec Foundation has about 80 patrons, including private companies and regional and local administrations, and His Majesty King Felipe VI is the Honorary President. Cotec Italia has also been operating since 2001 and in 2003, Cotec Portugal was formed. From the start, Cotec has distinguished itself through its focused work on technological innovations amongst Spanish companies. To carry out this mission, Cotec focuses on two main activities: serving as a facilitator for research, development and innovation in Spain, and providing analysis and advice on innovation, technology and economics.