Zukunftstalk: A sustainable path to a better future

We would like to invite you to Sankt Augustin on 10.09.24 to discuss the opportunities of the circular economy and provide insights into the Digital Product Passport (DPP). You can look forward to presentations by our experts, practical insights and networking opportunities!

Sustainability is a decisive purchasing criterion today and will become even more important in the future. From 2027, the digital product passport (DPP) will be mandatory for batteries to enable a sustainable and resource-efficient economy. Take the opportunity to prepare for these developments at an early stage and gain valuable insights into the future of the circular economy.

In addition to exciting presentations , you can of course network extensively at our Future Talk. During the coffee breaks and a delicious lunch, you will have the opportunity to get into conversation and make new contacts. You can also gain further valuable insights from our product exhibition and a virtual company tour on site.

Birlinghoven Castle

Future talk number 5

For the fifth time, we invite you to our H+K Future Talk! This time the event will not take place in Buchen, but in the impressive Birlinghoven Castle in 53757 Sankt Augustin on the Fraunhofer FIT Campus. In this unique location, we would like to discuss the opportunities and challenges of the digital product passport and the circular economy together with the SME Digital Center WertNetzWerke and you

Our agenda

10:00 – 10:30 a.m.

10:30 – 11:00 a.m.


11:00 – 11:45 a.m.


11:45 – 12:30 a.m.


12:30 – 13:15

13:15 – 14:00


14:00 – 14:30


14:30 – 15:15

15:15 – 15:45


15:45 – open End

Get Together

Welcome + Introduction
Frank Wahlandt, Hoffmann + Krippner and Dr. René Reiners, Fraunhofer FIT

Business Speed Dating
Moderated by Gennet Beer,Design Thinking Factory

Introduction to the circular economy and the digital product passport
Speaker: Dr. Anja Linnemann and Alexander Schneider, Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum WertNetzWerke

Lunch break and exhibition

The standardization of the digital product passport
Speaker: Shagenth Uthayakumar, DIN German Institute for Standardization e. V.

Digital battery passport: seamless documentation of a battery’s life cycle
Speaker: Ralf Krippner, HK.DIGITAL

Coffee to Go (Virtual tour through Hoffmann + Krippner)

Sustainable input systems:From development to delivery
Speaker: Alexander Häfner and Dominik Wegert, Hoffmann + Krippner

Feedback on the day and joint conclusion
Frank Wahlandt, Hoffmann + Krippner and Gennet Beer, Design Thinking Factory

Our speakers

Frank Wahlandt joined Hoffmann + Krippner GmbH (H+K) as Head of Sales in 2018 and was responsible for Sales Strategies, Business Development and International Sales, among other things. He has been Managing Director of H+K since August 2023.

Dr. René Reiners is head of the Human-Centered Engineering & Design department at Fraunhofer FIT. He completed his doctorate in computer science at RWTH Aachen University and has since been working on topics such as user-centered computing, project management and software engineering – including as part of his teaching activities at the FOM University of Applied Sciences for Economics & Management.

Gennet Beer completed her Master’s degree in Experimental Design at the HFBK Hamburg and has been working at FIT ever since. She is an expert in human-centered design, innovative methods and creative solution finding as well as user experience.

Dr. Anja Linnemann is a research associate at Fraunhofer FIT, where she heads the “Digitalization & Sustainability” group. Since 2021, she has been working at the SME Digital Center WertNetzWerke as project manager and expert for circular economy.

Alexander Schneider is also a research associate at Fraunhofer FIT and a member of the Digitalization & Sustainability group. As an AI spokesperson, he supports SMEs in the digital transformation through modern technologies as part of the WertNetzWerke center.

Shagenth Uthayakumar studied industrial engineering at the University of Bremen and graduated with a master’s degree. He has been working at DIN (German Institute for Standardization) since 2022 and is in charge of the Digital Product Passport.

Ralf Krippner, son of company founder Fritz Krippner, has been Managing Director at H+K since 2005. During his studies, he founded TK-World-AG, which he still manages today. In 2018, he founded ROBIOTIC and in 2020 the current HK.DIGITAL for holistic IoT solutions.

Alexander Häfner completed his apprenticeship as an electronics technician in 2015, followed by a dual degree in industrial engineering and is currently a team leader in area management (field sales) at H+K.

Dominik Wegert started his training as a mechatronics engineer at H+K in 2008. He now works at H+K as a technician in the areas of production technology, equipment design and technical sales as well as a trainer for machine and system management.

We are looking forward to a great event with exciting topics and discussions, new contacts, good food and nice conversations. Register now and be part of it!

Register now and shape a sustainable future with us.

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