The 6. Wiener Produktionstechnik Kongress (WPK2024) focuses on the central theme of the Twin Transition in Manufacturing, addressing the current challenges and enabling technologies on the path to highly efficient, resilient, and sustainable production.
Europe has a strong tradition in the manufacturing industry that was not born digital, nor adapted to a green economy. The plan of the European Commission to develop a climate-neutral society, the so-called “Green Deal”, is expected to transform the EU into a resource-efficient and competitive economy. In global volatile markets, highly efficient technologies are a prerequisite to meet sustainability goals. Likewise, the industrial strategy shaping Europe’s future for resilient manufacturing reflects the necessity to deploy digital technologies to enable this change. Accelerating the twin-green and digital – transition will not only require new technologies but will rely on a reskilled workforce. Green and digital production is likely to turn into a competitive advantage in the future. Front-runners in global value chains will increasingly rely on green supply chains whose production methods can be traced and verified. Suppliers will thus have to comply with green and digital standards to participate in the global economy. The WPK2024 congress, which is subject to the central theme of the Twin Transition in Manufacturing, reports on the current challenges and enabling technologies on the way toward highly efficient, resilient, and sustainable production. Best practice examples from both industries and research illustrate how smart and circular manufacturing approaches can accelerate the twin transformation.
