Sustainability and innovation are two concepts that are often thought of as being separate, but they are actually closely intertwined. In today's world, it is more important than ever to think about how our actions and decisions impact the environment, and this applies to the way we approach innovation as well. Can we innovate ourselves out of this mess we made?

Integrating sustainability into innovation can be challenging, but it is also an exciting opportunity to create solutions that not only meet the needs of the present, but also consider the needs of future generations. By considering the social, economic, and environmental impacts of our innovations, we can create truly sustainable solutions that benefit everyone.

In this session, we will explore the many ways that sustainability and innovation can be integrated, and how this approach can lead to more successful and impactful solutions. We will try to find out what it takes to create a more sustainable future with the help of planet centered innovation.

Steffen Erath is the Head of Innovation & Sustainability at Hansgrohe SE, making him one of the creative minds behind the Black Forest-based sanitary company. The graduate economist and engineer joined Hansgrohe in 2005 as a product manager, and has been leading various product and innovation departments of the bathroom specialist since 2016. As head of the ""Green Company"" and the awarded InnoLab of the year 2022, he is accelerating the green transformation of the traditional company. Together with the Masco Venture Team, Steffen evaluates and supports startups in the European GreenTech sector to derive strategic investment recommendations from the $50 million corporate venture fund of Hansgrohe's majority owner, Masco Corporation.

His expertise is also in demand outside of Hansgrohe. He is a guest lecturer at the University of St. Gallen and a jury member of the GreenAwards (greentechfestival.com) and the German Founder Award.

According to him, the best thing about his job at Hansgrohe is the magic of something new.