#DNP25 brought Germany’s thought leaders in sustainable transformation together. Krones was also represented at the congress – where it won the German Sustainability Award.

Last week the German Sustainability Award Foundation held #DNP25 in Düsseldorf. Some 2,000 guests attended the congress. Among them was Martina Birk, Head of Sustainability at Krones, who was not only able to introduce our Group’s sustainability strategy, but also pick up an award: the German Sustainability Award (German abbreviation: “DNP”) 2025 in the “Machinery manufacturing” category.

Early courage to embrace change

In the written statement explaining its decision, the expert jury particularly commended our Group’s consistency. Krones entire corporate strategy, they said, had been geared towards sustainability. They especially emphasised our pioneering role in the provision of energy-efficient machinery and systems technology, which in turn enables our customers to operate sustainably. With its enviro product series, Krones had “shown the early courage to embrace change”. As the jury concluded, “the motivation to systematically point the Krones portfolio in a sustainable direction was an intrinsic one.”

The DNP is one of the most prestigious sustainability awards in Europe and has been presented annually since 2008. It repositioned itself for 2025: For the first time, the award ceremony was embedded in a technical conference under the slogan “Less symbolism – more action”. Alongside the companies participating in the competition, prominent representatives from politics, culture, climate research and other academic disciplines also took to the stage. That gave the approximately 2,000 guests an opportunity to hear a wide range of perspectives and network with others of like mind. “Sustainability is always a collective effort – across society as a whole,” says Martina Birk. “The more people and organisations pull together, the more we learn from each other and inspire one another, the faster we move towards our goal: creating a liveable future for ourselves and generations to come.”

In the photo: Dr. Otto Schulz, Board Member of the German Sustainability Award Foundation, presents the award to Martina Birk.

Krones was among those represented at Jugendwirtschaftsgipfel 2025, an economic summit for young people which aims to work with youngsters on ideas for a sustainable and innovative future.

What might the economy of tomorrow look like – and what role will the younger generation play in it? These were the questions at the heart of the economic youth summit held at the Kolpinghaus conference centre in Regensburg on 13 October. Following the principle of “Shaping the future. Strengthening the region”, schoolchildren from throughout Bavaria met up with representatives of business, politics and science to thrash out ideas for a sustainable and innovative future.

Organised by the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, the annual economic youth summit offers young people an opportunity to tackle the issues of the future in practical workshops. The topics ranged from starting up a business and developing prototypes through the use of artificial intelligence in everyday life to creative ideas for the sustainable economy. Other areas of focus included social media strategy, identifying fake news and the 17 sustainability goals of the United Nations. Particular attention was also paid to the future of the Bavarian economy and the visions of the younger generation.

Commitment to the next generation

Krones was represented there again this year, this time by Maximilian Mölter, technical trainer and in charge of Profile 21 (see photo). He presented the company’s diversity, innovative strength and training expertise with great enthusiasm. “That was a special moment for me personally,” reports Maximilian Mölter. “I started my apprenticeship at Krones eleven years ago – and today I am helping young people on their journey as a technical trainer. Direct interaction with schoolchildren, teachers and representatives of politics and business has shown how important it is to provide guidance, inspire enthusiasm for technology and sustainability and highlight the very real future prospects at an early stage.” In his address he emphasised just how diverse the entry opportunities at Krones are and what a central role the company plays in the development of young talent. The combination of technology, innovation and sustainability in particular demonstrated how important it was to work together on solutions for tomorrow. By its presence at the economic youth summit, Krones was sending a clear signal of the significance of training, developing the next generation and regional networking. After all, the future is created wherever people engage in conversation with each other – and bring ideas to life together.