Estimated reading time: 3-5 minutes
How do you make the value chain truly circular, upstream with your suppliers and downstream with your customers? The answer – put forward a solid business case, innovate and lead by example. That’s the message Philips’ Global Head of Sustainability Robert Metzke will deliver at two upcoming sustainability events in Europe – the Financial Times ‘Future of Manufacturing Summit’ on October 8 – 9 in London (UK) and Ethical Corporation’s ‘Transform 2019’ conference on October 16 – 17 in Amsterdam (The Netherlands).
While the idea of improving the responsiveness of supply chains to demand-side changes has long been regarded as key to the efficient use of resources – less overproduction and waste – there is now a general consensus that the linear ‘take-make-use-throw’ model of production and consumption that we have become accustomed to for the last one hundred years is no longer fit for purpose. By 2050 we would need the natural resources of at least two planet Earths to keep it going.
At the Ethical Corporation ‘Transform 2019’ conference, Robert will reinforce his sustainability message with examples of how Philips is closing the loop in its upstream and downstream supply chain by creating new strategies, business models and collaborative partnerships to implement the circular economy. For example, Philips has not only stated that it will take back and recycle/repurpose all large Philips medical systems that its customers are prepared to return to it, it is also establishing long-term managed service partnerships with hospitals in which Philips retains ownership so that the whole process is easier and more effective. According to Robert, making sure that returned systems are recycled/repurposed efficiently, with different materials looping back into the upstream supply chain or being repurposed at suitable points in the downstream chain, is where collaborative stakeholder engagement and involvement are critical to success. Philips is also incorporating design-for-recycling into its product development processes.
For Philips, sustainability, circularity, innovation and collaboration are key elements in the company’s mission to improve people’s lives by ensuring healthy people and a sustainable planet.
Robert will be joined in the panel discussions by other international thought leaders in sustainability and the circular economy.
Event: FT Future of Manufacturing Summit 2019
Where: London
Date: Oct. 9, 2019, 12:10 – 01:00 PM GMT
Website: https://live.ft.com/Events/2019/FT-Future-of-Manufacturing-Summit-2019
Event: Transform 2019
Where: Amsterdam
Date: Oct. 16, 2019, 09:00 – 09:45 AM CET
Speaker: Robert Metzke
Head of Sustainability at Philips
As Head of Sustainability at Philips, Robert leads the company’s ‘Healthy people, sustainable planet’ program, which runs from 2016 to 2020. The program reflects Philips’ commitment to the universally agreed United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG #3 – ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. It also reflects the company’s commitment to sustainable consumption and production patterns.
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February 28, 2022
- By Kees Wesdorp and Robert Metzke
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Global (English)By clicking on the link, you will be leaving the official Royal Philips Healthcare ("Philips") website. Any links to third-party websites that may appear on this site are provided only for your convenience and in no way represent any affiliation or endorsement of the information provided on those linked websites. Philips makes no representations or warranties of any kind with regard to any third-party websites or the information contained therein.
I understandYou are about to visit a Philips global content page
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