Twin transition as a strategic compass for Europe

The European economy is facing a profound transformation. Climate neutrality, resource efficiency and competitiveness can no longer be viewed in isolation from one another. This is precisely where the so-called twin transition comes in: the simultaneous green and digital transformation of the economy and society. For businesses, this means advancing new technologies, business models and skills simultaneously – often within complex political and regulatory frameworks. Support structures are therefore needed to provide guidance, facilitate knowledge transfer and implement innovation in practice. This is where business initiatives such as bwcon come in: they help companies make the twin transition tangible, identify potential at an early stage and launch concrete projects.

Digital technologies are seen as a key lever for achieving environmental goals. Data-driven business models, AI-supported optimisation of production processes, digital supply chains, and platform solutions for sharing and reuse all make a significant contribution to conserving resources and reducing emissions. At the same time, the green transition places new demands on innovation, skills and industrial value creation – innovations for our environment are required.

EU framework conditions: guidance and impetus

The European Union recognised early on that this dual transition requires targeted policy guidelines. Through strategic initiatives and regulations, it sets clear priorities on sustainability, energy and digitalisation. The most important instruments include:

• the European Green Deal as an overarching growth strategy,
• the Fit for 55 package, which defines concrete measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and
• the Net-Zero Industry Act, which aims to accelerate the expansion of climate-neutral key technologies in Europe.

These frameworks provide planning certainty and set ambitious targets. At the same time, the EU supports its regulations with extensive funding programmes and calls for proposals that provide targeted assistance to companies, start-ups, research institutions and networks in their implementation. Funding thus becomes a crucial enabler for developing, testing and bringing innovative solutions to market.

bwcon as a transformation partner

It is precisely at this interface between the political framework, economic implementation and concrete support that bwcon’s work begins. As a European innovation and transfer network, bwcon supports organisations throughout the entire transformation chain: from strategic alignment with EU regulations, through the development of digital and sustainable business models, to the concrete implementation of projects. bwcon brings together stakeholders from industry, research, politics and start-up ecosystems, translates regulatory requirements into practical innovation opportunities and makes European funding programmes accessible to businesses.

Circular Innovation Hub: accelerating the circular economy digitally

With the Circular Innovation Hub (CI-HUB), for example, bwcon research specifically strengthens the innovation potential of less innovative regions and supports companies in their digital and circular transformation. At the heart of the CI-Hub is the establishment of a transnational accelerator that combines Industry 4.0 technologies with the principles of the circular economy. The focus is on plastics and metal processing as well as the construction sector.

The project tests key strategies such as circular procurement, resource recovery, product life extension, sharing models and Product-as-a-Service. The aim is to increase the acceptance and practical implementation of circular solutions. Companies benefit from practical tools for assessing circular maturity and analysing circular value creation, as well as from access to an international ecosystem of expertise and technology from academia and industry.

PowerUp NetZero: Innovations for a climate-neutral industry

The bwcon research project PowerUp NetZero (PUNZ) is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups that develop net-zero technologies or possess relevant digital expertise. Support is provided for solutions in the fields of solar energy, energy storage, hydrogen, sustainable biogas and CO₂ capture. The aim is to accelerate the development and market launch of climate-neutral technologies within the European single market and to promote the transition towards a greener, more digital and more resilient economy.

A key element is the financial support provided to 45 SMEs, both for the introduction of new technologies and for the implementation of joint innovation projects. In addition, PUNZ offers training courses, webinars and workshops on current net-zero topics, thereby promoting the transfer of knowledge and technology within the European innovation ecosystem.

WE.Circular: Empowering women in the circular transformation

With WE.Circular, bwcon is bringing the topic of women’s entrepreneurship in the circular economy into focus. The project supports female entrepreneurs in the Danube region in successfully utilising digital technologies and sustainable business models and in expanding their role as drivers of a resource-efficient economy.

Through training programmes, a transnational learning and innovation network, and the exchange of best practices, WE.Circular specifically strengthens the digital and industrial skills of female founders. At the same time, the project makes an important contribution to ensuring that political and economic frameworks are better aligned with the needs of female entrepreneurs in the circular economy in the future.

Shaping transformation rather than merely managing it

The twin transition is more than a political vision – it is a comprehensive process of restructuring the economy and society. European companies face major challenges in this regard, but also enormous opportunities for innovation. bwcon’s projects exemplify how targeted funding, international networking and practical support can help to integrate digital and sustainable transformation and implement them in concrete terms.

Whether in the circular economy, climate-neutral technologies or the empowerment of women entrepreneurs, bwcon actively shapes the transformation and creates structures that contribute in the long term to a resilient, innovative and sustainable Europe.