SUSTAINX: Leaders in Sustainability

The most radical thing a smartphone company can do is stop pushing upgrades.

Monique Lempers, Chief Impact Officer at Fairphone, joins Sven Steinert to explore what it takes to build a responsible electronics business in an industry driven by short lifecycles and constant replacement.

Monique explains how Fairphone treats longevity as a core KPI, designing smartphones to last through modular hardware and long software support. But extending product life is only the starting point. The deeper challenge sits in the value chain, where minerals are mined, processed, and too often left out of the sustainability conversation.

Together, they unpack why responsible electronics can’t be fixed with audits or isolated supplier standards. Monique explains why Fairphone chose a minerals book-and-claim model, a pragmatic way to take responsibility for mining impacts where physical control ends. She also challenges simplistic ideas of circularity, arguing that durability, circular design, and responsible mining must move forward together.


You’ll learn:

1. Why breaking the upgrade cycle is a strategic sustainability lever
2. How Fairphone uses longevity as a core business KPI
3. Why collaboration matters more than supplier standards
4. How minerals book-and-claim works when traceability fails
5. Why circular electronics is a long game, not a quick win

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Get in touch with Monique Lempers on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monique-lempers-b430822/

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About the host Sven Steinert:
Sven Steinert is the CEO of SUSTAINX | The Sustainability Leaders Community, and Managing Partner at H&Z Management Consulting. To Sven, sustainability is not just a buzzword – it’s about making real changes for a sustainable future. His goal is to help companies reduce their environmental footprint and embrace circularity. Sven is passionate about ice hockey, and exploring new cultures to enrich his understanding of the world and diverse ways of life.

Get in touch with Sven Steinert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/svensteinert/

Want to connect with like-minded sustainability professionals in a collaborative space? Join our online community at osapeers.org.

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The SUSTAINX: Leaders in Sustainability Podcast is powered by H&Z Management Consulting in collaboration with SAWOO.

How does a lighthouse hydrogen project turn a chicken-and-egg dilemma into a bankable business case?

In this episode, host Sven Steinert speaks with Dr. Ralph Kleinschmidt, Global Head of Technology and Innovation at thyssenkrupp Uhde, and Susanne Thöle, Director Hydrogen at Uniper. Together, they zoom in on one such project: an ammonia cracker that turns imported ammonia into hydrogen for Europe’s energy-intensive industries.

Ralph and Susanne unpack why hydrogen is essential for hard-to-electrify sectors, why domestic production is not enough, and how ammonia cracking can plug the gap by using existing infrastructure. They walk through the design of their demo plant, and what it takes for two industry heavyweights to share risk, build trust and navigate regulation on the way from pilot to full-scale deployment.


You'll learn:

1. How to think about hydrogen’s role in hard-to-abate sectors
2. Why ammonia can unlock investable global hydrogen imports
3. How to design lighthouse pilots that are built to scale
4. How to structure climate partnerships between industrial leaders
5. How to work with regulation and risk without stalling innovation

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Get in touch with Dr. Ralph Kleinschmidt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralph-dr-kleinschmidt/

Get in touch with Susanne Thöle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanne-thöle-229b717b/

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About the host Sven Steinert:
Sven Steinert is the CEO of SUSTAINX | The Sustainability Leaders Community, and Managing Partner at H&Z Management Consulting. To Sven, sustainability is not just a buzzword – it’s about making real changes for a sustainable future. His goal is to help companies reduce their environmental footprint and embrace circularity. Sven is passionate about ice hockey, and exploring new cultures to enrich his understanding of the world and diverse ways of life.

Get in touch with Sven Steinert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/svensteinert/

Want to connect with like-minded sustainability professionals in a collaborative space? Join our online community at osapeers.org.

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The SUSTAINX: Leaders in Sustainability Podcast is powered by H&Z Management Consulting in collaboration with SAWOO.

The future of sustainability lies in treating it as a service that creates value for customers, business, and the wider ecosystem.

In this episode, host Sven Steinert speaks with Arne Kloke, Head of Sustainability and Service Management at SCHOTT Pharma. Arne shares how he and his team integrate sustainability into daily business practice, turning it from a reporting task into a driver of innovation and measurable impact. He explains how SCHOTT Pharma is pushing boundaries with its circular packaging initiative, proving that recycled materials can meet the highest industry standards while staying cost-neutral and significantly reducing emissions.

The discussion also explores the Alliance to Zero, a collaboration of eight partners across the pharma supply chain. Arne reveals how collective action helps simplify processes, cut waste, and scale sustainable solutions across the industry.


You’ll learn:

1. How to embed sustainability as a customer-focused service model
2. How to turn regulatory limits into opportunities for innovation
3. How to design cost-neutral solutions with real carbon gains
4. How value-chain collaboration accelerates scale and adoption
5. How to link sustainability outcomes to credible business value

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Get in touch with Arne Kloke on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arne-kloke-669790140/

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About the host Sven Steinert:
Sven Steinert is the CEO of SUSTAINX | The Sustainability Leaders Community, and Managing Partner at H&Z Management Consulting. To Sven, sustainability is not just a buzzword – it’s about making real changes for a sustainable future. His goal is to help companies reduce their environmental footprint and embrace circularity. Sven is passionate about ice hockey, and exploring new cultures to enrich his understanding of the world and diverse ways of life.

Get in touch with Sven Steinert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/svensteinert/

Want to connect with like-minded sustainability professionals in a collaborative space? Join our online community at osapeers.org.

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The SUSTAINX: Leaders in Sustainability Podcast is powered by H&Z Management Consulting in collaboration with SAWOO.

What happens when a global hydraulics leader integrates new power solutions for a decarbonising world?

In this episode, host Sven Steinert speaks with Dr. Andreas Schumacher, Head of Sustainability and Product Compliance at Danfoss Power Solutions. More than a decade ago, Danfoss recognised that relying solely on hydraulics could limit its future growth perspective. The company made a bold early move into electrification, building a complementary business line while safeguarding its core. Today, that decision has become a cornerstone of Danfoss’ long-term sustainability strategy. Andreas shares how the transition unfolded inside the organisation, how leaders managed uncertainty and resistance, and why embedding sustainability through meaningful KPIs is key to maintaining momentum for the sustainability strategy.


You'll learn:

1. Why electrification is central to Danfoss’ long-term business strategy
2. How to steer organisational change in a technology-driven company
3. Ways to balance legacy operations with new, sustainable solutions
4. How to embed KPIs that drive real sustainability outcomes
5. Why patience and persistence keep long-term transformations on track

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Get in touch with Dr. Andreas Schumacher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-andreas-schumacher-463052290/

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About the host Sven Steinert:
Sven Steinert is the CEO of SUSTAINX | The Sustainability Leaders Community, and Managing Partner at H&Z Management Consulting. To Sven, sustainability is not just a buzzword – it’s about making real changes for a sustainable future. His goal is to help companies reduce their environmental footprint and embrace circularity. Sven is passionate about ice hockey, and exploring new cultures to enrich his understanding of the world and diverse ways of life.

Get in touch with Sven Steinert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/svensteinert/

Want to connect with like-minded sustainability professionals in a collaborative space? Join our online community at osapeers.org.

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The SUSTAINX: Leaders in Sustainability Podcast is powered by H&Z Management Consulting in collaboration with SAWOO.

When climate change drives health risks, insurers can’t afford to stand still.

In this episode, host Sven Steinert welcomes Hanna Krayer, Head of Sustainability at Helsana, Switzerland’s largest health insurer. Hanna explains why sustainability is inseparable from health, how climate change poses strategic and financial risks, and what it takes to embed sustainability into corporate strategy.

She shares how Helsana made sustainability a top corporate goal, secured executive backing, and adopted a pragmatic KPI to track progress. Beyond compliance, Hanna reflects on resilience, credibility, and the leadership mindset needed to drive sustainability in a regulated industry.


You'll learn:

1. Why climate change is both a health and financial risk for insurers
2. How Helsana embedded sustainability into corporate strategy
3. Why timing and simplicity are crucial for leadership buy-in
4. How one KPI can steer company-wide sustainability progress
5. What resilience and realism mean for today’s sustainability leaders

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Get in touch with Hanna Krayer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanna-krayer-53305b50/

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About the host Sven Steinert:
Sven Steinert is the CEO of SUSTAINX | The Sustainability Leaders Community, and Managing Partner at H&Z Management Consulting. To Sven, sustainability is not just a buzzword – it’s about making real changes for a sustainable future. His goal is to help companies reduce their environmental footprint and embrace circularity. Sven is passionate about ice hockey, and exploring new cultures to enrich his understanding of the world and diverse ways of life.

Get in touch with Sven Steinert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/svensteinert/

Want to connect with like-minded sustainability professionals in a collaborative space? Join our online community at osapeers.org.

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The SUSTAINX: Leaders in Sustainability Podcast is powered by H&Z Management Consulting in collaboration with SAWOO.

Is “good enough” the key to real sustainability?

In this episode, host Sven Steinert welcomes Sebastian Schwarz, Head of Sustainability at REMONDIS Group, who champions pragmatic idealism over perfectionism. Sebastian argues that the term “sustainability” is overused, and urges leaders to focus on what counts: reducing CO₂, saving energy, and achieving measurable results.

With REMONDIS’s eight decades in the recycling industry, Sebastian shares how a decentralised culture drives real buy-in and why collaboration with recyclers is essential for building a truly circular economy. He also explains how practical KPIs and a business-first mindset can transform sustainability from a reporting exercise into lasting resilience and innovation.

You'll learn:

1. Why “sustainability” needs to be made tangible and relevant for business
2. How REMONDIS defines and implements actionable KPIs
3. The critical role of recycling in circular economy
4. How culture, networks, and pragmatic leadership unlock buy-in
5. Why material qualities matter more than their origin

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Get in touch with Sebastian Schwarz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-schwarz-413a5a55/

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About the host Sven Steinert:
Sven Steinert is the CEO of SUSTAINX | The Sustainability Leaders Community, and Managing Partner at H&Z Management Consulting. To Sven, sustainability is not just a buzzword – it’s about making real changes for a sustainable future. His goal is to help companies reduce their environmental footprint and embrace circularity. Sven is passionate about ice hockey, and exploring new cultures to enrich his understanding of the world and diverse ways of life.

Get in touch with Sven Steinert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/svensteinert/

Want to connect with like-minded sustainability professionals in a collaborative space? Join our online community at osapeers.org.

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The SUSTAINX: Leaders in Sustainability Podcast is powered by H&Z Management Consulting in collaboration with SAWOO.

Making sustainability work isn’t just about numbers. It’s about building the right relationships, across every level of a group.

In this episode, host Sven Steinert sits down with Sabrina Raith, Head of Sustainability at TAKKT Group, to explore how real sustainability transformation happens in a diverse, multi-company setting. Sabrina shares why robust data and clear frameworks are essential, but reveals that true progress depends on connecting people, empowering local ambassadors, and creating buy-in across business units and functions. From Scope 3 emissions and procurement’s pivotal role, to motivating teams and shifting organisational mindsets, she explains how collaboration, trust, and continuous dialogue make sustainability stick for the long term.


You'll learn:

1. How to activate a network of sustainability ambassadors across business units
2. Why solid Scope 3 data is critical for real impact
3. How procurement can become a driver of carbon reduction
4. What it takes to motivate teams and shift organisational mindsets
5. The role of ongoing education and relationship-building in change management

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Get in touch with Sabrina Raith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrina-raith-1b5168aa/
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About the host Sven Steinert:
Sven Steinert is the CEO of SUSTAINX | The Sustainability Leaders Community, and Partner and Sustainability Lead at H&Z Management Consulting. To Sven, sustainability is not just a buzzword – it’s about making real changes for a sustainable future. His goal is to help companies reduce their environmental footprint and embrace circularity. Sven is passionate about ice hockey, and exploring new cultures to enrich his understanding of the world and diverse ways of life.

Get in touch with Sven Steinert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/svensteinert/

Want to connect with like-minded sustainability professionals in a collaborative space? Join our online community at osapeers.org.

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The SUSTAINX: Leaders in Sustainability Podcast is powered by H&Z Management Consulting in collaboration with SAWOO.

From board-level commitment to frontline action, sustainability is powering resilience and innovation at Dräger.

In this episode, host Sven Steinert welcomes Stefanie Hirsch, Chief Sustainability & Quality Officer and Executive Board Member at Dräger, to explore what sustainable transformation looks like when it’s driven from the top. Stefanie explains why regulatory compliance is no longer enough—customers now expect concrete action: more recycled materials, lower CO₂ emissions, and real pathways to net zero.

From Dräger’s circular economy initiatives and the challenges of reverse logistics, to embedding sustainability across the organisation and innovating in product design, Stefanie unpacks the realities of driving impact in global medical and safety technology. She also shares how Dräger is rethinking energy efficiency, reducing supply chain emissions, and why internal alignment is just as critical as meeting external stakeholder demands.


You'll learn:

1. Why customer demands now rival regulations in driving sustainability at Dräger
2. How Dräger is building a circular economy—despite logistical and regulatory hurdles
3. What it takes to embed sustainability throughout a global organisation
4. How product design and supply chain drive decarbonisation and energy efficiency
5. The crucial role of leadership and cross-functional buy-in in sustainable transformation



Get in touch with Stefanie Hirsch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanie-hirsch-germany/

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About the host Sven Steinert:
Sven Steinert is the CEO of SUSTAINX | The Sustainability Leaders Community, and Partner and Sustainability Lead at H&Z Management Consulting. To Sven, sustainability is not just a buzzword – it’s about making real changes for a sustainable future. His goal is to help companies reduce their environmental footprint and embrace circularity. Sven is passionate about ice hockey, and exploring new cultures to enrich his understanding of the world and diverse ways of life.

Get in touch with Sven Steinert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/svensteinert/

Want to connect with like-minded sustainability professionals in a collaborative space? Join our online community at osapeers.org.

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The SUSTAINX: Leaders in Sustainability Podcast is powered by H&Z Management Consulting in collaboration with SAWOO.

Sustainability isn’t a hurdle to innovation—it’s the spark.

In this episode, host Sven Steinert is joined by Steffen Erath, Head of Innovation & Sustainability at Hansgrohe Group, to explore why the future of innovation can be green—and how regulations, mindsets, and timing could shape that future.

Steffen shares how Hansgrohe uses sustainability as an innovation search field. He dives into how seemingly rigid regulations can both help and hinder progress, why nearly every sustainability challenge can be turned into a business opportunity, and how companies can move beyond “green fatigue” to accelerate the transformation—all while keeping people, planet and profit in balance.


You'll learn:

1. How regulations can both accelerate and block sustainable innovation
2. Why most sustainability challenges carry a hidden business opportunity
3. The importance of timing and market readiness for green innovation
4. How Hansgrohe drives transformation through vision, not fear
5. What it takes to embed sustainability into core innovation processes

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Get in touch with Steffen Erath on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steffen-erath/

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About the host Sven Steinert:
Sven Steinert is the CEO of SUSTAINX | The Sustainability Leaders Community, and Partner and Sustainability Lead at H&Z Management Consulting. To Sven, sustainability is not just a buzzword – it’s about making real changes for a sustainable future. His goal is to help companies reduce their environmental footprint and embrace circularity. Sven is passionate about ice hockey, and exploring new cultures to enrich his understanding of the world and diverse ways of life.

Get in touch with Sven Steinert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/svensteinert/

Want to connect with like-minded sustainability professionals in a collaborative space? Join our online community at sustainx.bettermode.io.

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The SUSTAINX: Leaders in Sustainability Podcast is powered by H&Z Management Consulting in collaboration with SAWOO.

Scaling circular plastics is part chemistry, part collaboration—and 100% systems thinking.

In this episode, host Sven Steinert is joined by Stephan Roest, Head of Circular Economy Business Development at Borealis, to explore what it takes to build a truly circular plastics economy. Stephan explains why circularity goes far beyond recycling—it demands a fundamental shift in how we design, produce, and collaborate across the value chain. From chemical recycling to reuse systems and mono-material packaging, he shares how Borealis is advancing circular solutions without compromising on quality. He also unpacks the role of mass balance in integrating sustainable feedstocks into existing infrastructure—and why transparency and traceability will be essential in a fossil-free future.


You'll learn:

1. Why circularity in plastics means redesigning products and rethinking feedstocks
2. How Borealis ensures high-quality plastics from low-grade waste
3. Why both chemical and mechanical recycling are essential for full circularity
4. How mass balance helps scale sustainable materials using today’s infrastructure
5. Why traceability and transparency matter in a fossil-free future

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Get in touch with Stephan Roest on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanroest/

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About the host Sven Steinert:
Sven Steinert is the CEO of SUSTAINX | The Sustainability Leaders Community, and Partner and Sustainability Lead at H&Z Management Consulting. To Sven, sustainability is not just a buzzword – it’s about making real changes for a sustainable future. His goal is to help companies reduce their environmental footprint and embrace circularity. Sven is passionate about ice hockey, and exploring new cultures to enrich his understanding of the world and diverse ways of life.

Get in touch with Sven Steinert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/svensteinert/

Want to connect with like-minded sustainability professionals in a collaborative space? Join our online community at sustainx.bettermode.io.

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The SUSTAINX: Leaders in Sustainability Podcast is powered by H&Z Management Consulting in collaboration with SAWOO.