At the prestigious Hannover Messe, the BMW Group showcased groundbreaking developments in data-driven innovation, spearheaded by the Catena-X data ecosystem. Amidst a backdrop of technological marvels, the company unveiled a paradigm shift in collaboration and sustainability within the automotive industry.
Oliver Ganser, Vice President Digitalisation of the Purchasing and Supplier Network at the BMW Group and Chairman of the Board of Catena-X e.V., outlined the transformative potential of this collaborative endeavor. “We – the BMW Group and our partners – will use the radical new collaboration approach embodied by Catena-X to improve our value creation processes within the context of sustainability, supply security, and quality – and at the same time reduce costs,” proclaimed Ganser.
A pivotal demonstration showcased the tangible impact of Catena-X on BMW’s production processes. For the first time, the company modeled a complete data chain, leveraging real-world CO2 data from the manufacture of the iconic kidney grille on the BMW iX. Sabrina Schrangl, Project Lead Catena-X BMW Group Component Manufacturing, emphasized the significance of this endeavor. “Together with our partners, we are using the Catena-X data ecosystem to calculate the product carbon footprint (PCF) of the kidney grille on the BMW iX,” explained Schrangl.
The PCF calculation, adhering to Catena-X protocols, spans from raw material extraction to end-product manufacturing, fostering transparency and accountability throughout the supply chain. The collaboration between BMW Group Plant Landshut and key partners like Siemens AG and Covestro AG exemplifies the seamless integration facilitated by Catena-X.
Looking towards a sustainable future, the aspiration extends beyond production to encompass the entire product lifecycle. The Catena-X initiative aims to enable a circular economy by tracking data until the end of the product’s life, fostering responsible consumption and production practices across industries.
Furthermore, Catena-X revolutionizes quality assurance practices at the BMW Group, heralding a shift from hardware-based to data-driven approaches. By establishing a shared data language across the automotive value chain, Catena-X facilitates early-warning analysis based on field data, enabling proactive identification of patterns and anomalies. Collaborations with industry leaders like Robert Bosch GmbH underscore the efficacy of this approach, leading to enhanced quality standards and reduced error margins.
As the automotive landscape evolves, BMW remains at the forefront of innovation, leveraging the transformative potential of data-driven collaboration through initiatives like Catena-X. With each milestone, the company reaffirms its commitment to driving sustainable progress and reimagining the future of mobility.
