Sustainability and climate neutrality were focal points at this year's federal master craftsmen's conference of the metal guilds in Münster. At the event in July, ZINQ outlined pathways towards a circular metal economy and provided inspiration on how sustainability can be put into practice within companies.

Once a year, the Federal Association of Metal (BVM) invites the chief master craftsmen and women as well as board members of the metal trade guilds throughout Germany to the National Chief Masters Day. The focus is on current topics in the metal industry as well as practical assistance for guild work. Another strategic focus this year: the topic of the circular economy.

Metal as a driver of the circular economy

In his lecture entitled „The circular transformation to climate neutrality: Opportunities and challenges for the metal trade“, ZINQ CEO Lars Baumgürtel made clear just how complex and profound sustainability is in the metal trade. „As durable materials, metals are a crucial driver of the circular economy. It is important that more metals are used because they have a major ecological benefit. The raw materials contained in metals are never lost,“ Baumgürtel explained. Additionally, the BVM presented its plans to make the climate-protecting benefits of the recyclable material metal more visible in public perception as part of a large-scale communication offensive.

Exchange and networking on an equal footing

From the environmental impact of non-circular products and recycling rates of various recyclable materials, to ZINQ's circular business model and the importance of product passports: the participants at the Federal Master Craftsmen's Convention were able to take valuable input from ZINQ's presentation back to their guilds and businesses. Afterwards, Lars Baumgürtel was also available to answer visitors„ questions – because the special thing about the Federal Master Craftsmen's Convention is exchanging views with colleagues nationwide and gaining new impetus. “Networking is the most important thing at an event like this. For us as ZINQ, it is relevant to find out where there are problems in the sector. After all, as many as 17,000 of our customers come from the metal-working trade. That is why we are very pleased that we were able to exchange views with the metal-working trade on an equal footing," explained Volker Hastler, Head of the ZINQ Manufaktur.

The interest in uniting together behind the circular quality of metals was palpable and visible at the Federal Master Craftsmen's Day, according to Lars Baumgürtel. „The Federal Association of Metal is an important player that we will continue to support on the path towards a circular metal economy.“