Industry leaders chart a sustainable future at Bühler’s networking days 2025
Bühler’s leadership emphasized that the time for experimentation is over and that proven solutions now need to be scaled widely to feed and move 10 billion people sustainably by 2050
SWITZERLAND -More than 1,200 leaders from the food, feed, and sustainable mobility industries convened at Bühler Group’s headquarters in Uzwil for its fourth Networking Days, a triennial event focused on scaling innovative solutions to meet the demands of a growing global population and a warming planet.
Themed “Multiplying impact together,” the 2025 event underscored how collaborative leadership, circular business models, and bold innovation are essential for transforming industries and ensuring sustainability at scale.
Held on June 23–24, the summit brought together participants from over 90 countries and six continents, including representatives from global food manufacturers, technology innovators, academia, and public institutions.
Bühler’s leadership emphasized that the time for experimentation is over and that proven solutions now need to be scaled widely to feed and move 10 billion people sustainably by 2050.
“The true power of innovation lies in the multiplier effect. When breakthroughs connect across businesses and industries, they become waves of change,”said Bühler CEO Stefan Scheiber.
Driving sustainable business through action
A consistent message across the event was that sustainability is no longer optional, it is core to long-term business success. Bühler CTO Ian Roberts highlighted the company’s delivery on its 2019 pledge to develop technologies that cut energy, waste, and water use by 50% across 15 key value chains.
With nearly CHF 500 million (US$624M) invested in R&D since then, Bühler technologies have now demonstrated up to 80% savings potential in select processes like aluminum processing and chocolate production.
Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute and originator of the Planetary Boundaries framework, urged business leaders to embrace sustainability as a business advantage.
“Sustainability enhances competitiveness, resilience, and access to new markets. Communicate that clearly and consistently,”he said.
Speakers from Mars, Cargill, Nestlé, and AAK detailed the practical outcomes of sustainable transitions.
AAK CEO Johan Westman described how transforming its palm oil supply chain to ensure 91% deforestation-free sources by 2024 led to both environmental progress and increased profitability.
“Palm oil has the highest yield per hectare of any oil crop,” he noted, stressing its critical role in future food systems.
Innovation Anchored in Circularity
Circular economy principles featured prominently throughout the sessions. Michele Andriani of Andriani S.p.A. shared how the company has turned production byproducts into new business streams, ranging from pet food to bioenergy, through partnerships including Bühler.
Illycaffè’s Andrea Illy detailed how the company is using coffee waste in cosmetics and promoting regenerative farming among its growers.
“Circularity isn’t just a sustainability concept, it’s a growth engine,” said Julia Binder, Professor at IMD, calling on businesses to envision transformational innovations and back-cast the steps needed to realize them.
Data, digitalization, and resilient food systems
The second day broadened the discussion to include trade flows, supply chain resilience, and food affordability.
Rabobank’s Vito Martielli highlighted the growing grain trade driven by demand in Africa and China, while Neil Barua of PTC emphasized digital tools like AI and predictive analytics to reduce disruptions.
Panelists also addressed how to provide safe, affordable, and nutritious food amid rising global pressures.
“Taste, nutrition, cost, and sustainability must all be achieved simultaneously, and taste remains king,” said Cargill CTO Florian Schattenmann.
In Africa, companies like Naval Group and Partners in Food Solutions are creating regional food production hubs and connecting expertise across borders.
“Let’s create an opportunity superhighway to transform Africa’s food systems, one factory at a time,” said Mandla Nkomo, CEO of Partners in Food Solutions.
The event concluded with a stirring keynote from Francois Pienaar, former South African rugby captain, who spoke about integrity, courage, and leadership under pressure.
Bühler’s Scheiber echoed the sentiment in his closing remarks: “We need courageous leadership to accelerate business transformation. Together, we can shape a better, more sustainable future.”
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