On 16 September 2025, GREEN TECHBITE: Towards EU Market kicked off with the keynote “Green Economy Opportunities in Germany and the EU” by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Herrmann, Professor for Sustainable Manufacturing and Life Cycle Engineering at TU Braunschweig, Germany. The session provided a comprehensive overview of Green Economy, Circular Economy, Green Hydrogen, and Industrial Symbiosis from a European perspective, offering valuable insights for Thai startups and SMEs looking to expand into the EU market.
Opening the session, Prof. Herrmann traced the evolution of the term “sustainability,” from 18th-century forest management in Germany to the Industrial Revolution and global agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. He stressed the urgency of addressing Planetary Boundaries, six of which have already been crossed, setting the stage for a new era of environmental accountability. “Either you are sustainable or you are not sustainable — there is no gray in between,” Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Herrmann said.
Building on this perspective, Prof. Herrmann argued that far from being a cost burden, the Green Economy acts as a powerful catalyst for innovation and competitiveness, particularly in high-emission industries. He highlighted the case of Salzgitter AG, a German steelmaker investing €1.5 billion in Green Steel production using Green Hydrogen, which will reduce CO₂ emissions by 90%. This initiative exemplifies how industry can align with the EU’s Climate Neutrality 2050 goal. “Sustainability is not luxury — it’s a driver for innovation,” Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Herrmann said.
Continuing with practical examples, Prof. Herrmann emphasized Green Hydrogen as a critical energy source for steel, chemical, and energy-intensive industries. He also spotlighted Circular Economy and Industrial Symbiosis, explaining how one company’s waste can become another’s resource. Drawing on examples from Denmark and Singapore, he illustrated how these models could be adapted to major cities such as Bangkok to improve resource efficiency and reduce waste, thereby creating win–win scenarios for businesses and communities.
To support this transition, Prof. Herrmann underscored the importance of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and a systems approach to product design. By integrating emerging technologies such as AI, Data Analytics, and Computational Engineering, businesses can track environmental impacts and optimize processes with precision. This approach, he noted, is essential for companies seeking to comply with the EU’s increasingly stringent sustainability standards.
Throughout the keynote, the opportunities for Thai startups and SMEs became clear. Prof. Herrmann urged them to explore avenues in Green Technology, Green Hydrogen, Circular Economy, and Sustainable Manufacturing, noting that the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism will be fully implemented in 2026. Businesses that proactively embrace these changes, he emphasized, will be better positioned to compete in the European market.
Closing his talk, Prof. Herrmann moved beyond theory to showcase practical pathways, from Green Steel and Green Hydrogen to Circular Economy, Industrial Symbiosis, Solar Recycling, and EV Battery Design. His insights highlighted that building a green future is not only an environmental necessity but also a significant business opportunity — especially for Thai innovators seeking to expand into the EU.
Interested in the TECHBITE Incubator program or potential collaboration? Contact us at:
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