From the Sector

Der BTE begrüßt das heutige Urteil des Bundesgerichtshofs (BGH) vom 12.01.2022, dass im Fall einer Geschäftsschließung, die aufgrund einer hoheitlichen Maßnahme zur Bekämpfung der COVID-19-Pandemie erfolgt, grundsätzlich ein Anspruch des Mieters von gewerblich genutzten Räumen auf Anpassung der Miete wegen Störung der Geschäftsgrundlage gemäß § 313 Abs. 1 BGB in Betracht kommt.

BTE-Hauptgeschäftsführer Rolf Pangels: „Es ist nur fair, dass die Kosten und Nachteile einer erzwungenen Schließung auf Mieter und Vermieter verteilt werden. Von dem Urteil können tausende Textil-, Schuh- und Lederwarengeschäfte profitieren, die vor allem in den Innenstädten oft hohe Mieten zahlen und sich längst nicht immer mit ihren Vermietern über eine Mietminderung während des Lockdowns einigen konnten.“

Since few days, most countries have been facing a new wave of Covid, reinforced by the rapid expansion of the Omicron variant. Impacted by this surge, many companies among the 1,700 companies that have confirmed they will attend M&O in January at the Parc des Expositions of Paris-Nord Villepinte, indicate that they don’t want their employees to take risks and are now alerting to the disruptions they are experiencing in their operations. The obligations of compliance with isolation rules, even when people are vaccinated, and the numerous work absences are in fact starting to seriously disrupt the functioning of their services, supply or production circuits.

Moreover, facing the peak of contamination, several countries are currently taking restrictive measures regarding international travel. Measures which are now delaying or discouraging visitors from confirming their attendance. In addition, the French government has announced, December 27^th 2021 a 2.000 people gauge for major events, so probably fairs such as Maison&Objet Paris.

Under these circumstances, seeking to avoid a risky situation and committed to making all efforts to ensure an optimal return on investment for exhibitors, buyers and specifiers, the SAFI decides to postpone the next session of the Maison&Objet trade event from 24th to 28th March 2022. Period for which we hope to see an improvement in the situation.

Exhibitors who have already confirmed their registration and location may have the same location conditions, which will allow them to keep the same stand showcase. Likewise, visitors who have already ordered their badges for the January edition will of course have access to the show from March 24^th to 28^th, 2022.

With an opening scheduled for the day before, Maison&Objet In The City, an event organised on the sidelines of the Maison&Objet fair and offering a journey of discoveries in the heart of Parisian showrooms, will be held from 23 to 28 March 2022.

By postponing the fair until the end of Q1, SAFI wishes to bring together the best operational and healthy conditions to allow actors in the art of living, decoration, and design to be inspired, to accelerate their development and to forge new business relationships

In summary: the next editions of the Maison&Objet fairs will therefore be: March 24^th - 28^th, 2022 + September 8^th - 12^th, 2022

In view of the exponential worsening of the pandemic situation worldwide and the accompanying tightened travel and contact regulations, the consumer goods fairs Christmasworld, Paperworld, and Creativeworld are cancelled for January 2022 and Ambiente for mid-February 2022. The regionally-oriented trade fair Nordstil from 15 to 17 January 2022 in Hamburg will take place at the present time.

The easing of the pandemic situation that was still hoped for in December is no longer in sight. Instead, the situation is deteriorating worldwide with an enormous, unforeseeable dynamic. This extreme deterioration due to the spread of the Omicron virus in Europe and Germany currently makes it impossible for Messe Frankfurt, as organiser of the leading international trade fairs Christmasworld, Paperworld, and Creativeworld, as well as Ambiente, to keep their dates in Frankfurt at the end of January and in mid-February 2022.

The four events, consisting of Christmasworld with its focus on seasonal and festive decorations, Paperworld and Creativeworld with their product ranges for paper, office supplies, stationery and hobby, craft and artists' requisites and Ambiente with its cross-sector range of products for the table, kitchen and housewares, furnishing and decorative accessories, home furnishing concepts, gifts and fashion accessories, are the recognised leading trade fairs in their sectors and open the trading year in their respective segments. Even in a reduced numerical form, the four trade fairs would still have been the leading events worldwide for their respective product segments.

However, the exponential increase in the number of infections worldwide in a very short period of time and the accompanying multitude of developments and decisions that are clearly outside the organiser's sphere of influence have led to a significant deterioration in the general conditions and necessary prerequisites for holding the four leading trade fairs as major events of international relevance at the end of January and in mid-February 2022 respectively. These developments include the classification of Germany as a high-risk area and the associated travel warnings and international and intercontinental travel restrictions in countries such as India, Japan and the United States, as well as the corresponding quarantine obligations. Equally important are the steadily rising infection figures and the accompanying urgent appeal, among others by the Robert Koch Institute and the expert council of the German Federal Government, to continue to reduce contacts to a minimum and to cancel all major events. At present, there are even further international fears that the critical infrastructure will not be maintained due to the highly contagious Omicron variant. The majority of exhibiting and visiting companies at Christmasworld, Paperworld, and Creativeworld as well as Ambiente are currently reacting to this overall situation with travel and trade fair attendance bans for reasons of duty of care towards their employees to protect them from health risks. The global willingness to travel is dropping enormously at the moment.

There are no plans to postpone the event. Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt, explains: "Since the trend-oriented order cycles of the international consumer goods industry require an annual event at the beginning of the year, a shift to the second half of the year would not meet the needs of the exhibiting companies and visitors."

Nordstil to be held in Hamburg from 15 to 17 January 2022
In the interests of the sectors involved, the planning and implementation of Nordstil from 15 to 17 January 2022 is not affected. This trade fair will take place in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg at this time due to other general conditions for local implementation. However, the extremely volatile situation is continuously reviewed and assessed in close exchange with the relevant local authorities and industry partners.

Messe Frankfurt's digital platforms for business success
Messe Frankfurt has already been actively helping retailers to help themselves since 2019 with Nextrade, the first order and data management platform for the home and living sector, and Conzoom Solutions, an information platform for the global consumer goods sector. "A second year without appropriate ordering, inspiration and networking formats poses considerable and in some cases existentially threatening challenges for retailers worldwide," Braun explains. "With our digital offers, we are specifically supporting our partners in industry and trade in this volatile situation. In addition, we will continue to put all our energy and optimism into safe and promising trade fairs. Because there is no substitute for meeting in real life."

Information on the planning of the Frankfurt consumer goods fairs for 2023 will be announced at the beginning of February 2022.

Die kommende Herbst/Winter Saison steht für die Herrenmodemarke EDUARD DRESSLER ganz im Zeichen einer neuen Freude am Angezogensein. Nach vielen Monaten modischer Askese, die oftmals von Casual Homewear geprägt war, greift Mann wieder zu Outfits, die neben aller Lässigkeit und Bequemlichkeit auch wieder mehr Eleganz zum Ausdruck bringen.

Das saisonale Thema „Back in Shape“ und die „CL Collection“ greifen diese Entwicklung im Spannungsfeld zwischen lässiger Eleganz und smarter Formal Wear auf. Im dritten Kollektionsthema „Flex-ED“ zeigt EDUARD DRESSLER sportive Casual Wear.

Die Key Looks
„Back in Shape“ widmet sich EDUARD DRESSLER der wiedergewonnenen Freude an eleganten Styles. Der Anzug feiert ein Comeback: mit neuer Silhouette, technischen Eigenschaften und vielen Details. Trotz der eleganteren Anmutung von Zweireiher oder breiteren Spitzfaçon-Modellen sorgen superelastische bzw. bi-elastische Stoffe für einen hohen Komfort und Flexibilität. Mäntel in hochwertigen Qualitäten runden diesen Winter den wertigen, gepflegten Look elegant ab.

Das Sakko setzt sich aus eine Kombination aus casualisierten Formen, hochwertigen Stoffen und spannenden Strukturen zusammen. Modelle mit sportiven Attributen wie vier aufgesetzten Taschen mit und ohne Patten, Stehkragen oder auch Sakkoformen mit breiteren Revers in eleganten, hochwertigen Qualitäten werden in Kombination mit weichem Strick und legeren Hosen, z.B. in der Ausführung mit Drawstring und 2 Bundfalten, präsentiert.

Neue Impulse für die Kollektionsthemen Flex-ED und Celebrate Life
Die bereits etablierten Kollektionsthemen „Flex-ED“ und „Celebrate Life“ markieren die komplementären Pole der EDUARD DRESSLER Range. Während „Flex-ED“ auf High Performance mit technischer Anmutung setzt, die auch beim täglichen Pendeln mit dem E-Bike eine gute Figur macht, zeigt die „CL Collection“ wiederum elegante Anzüge, Smokings und Dinner Jackets für die ganz besonderen Momente des Lebens.

So verschieden die Ausrichtung der beiden Themen erscheinen mag, so gibt es in dieser Saison doch zahlreiche Berührungspunkte im Sinne des übergreifenden saisonalen Themas „Back in Shape“: Die Übergänge werden fließender und in beiden Produktreihen finden sich Attribute, die vormals eher beim jeweiligen Gegenpart zu finden waren.

Der Bundesverband Medizintechnologie (BVMed) hat den Verband Versorgungsqualität Homecare (VVHC) als neues assoziiertes Mitglied aufgenommen. Es ist das erste Mal, dass mit dem VVHC ein Verband die Möglichkeit der assoziierten Mitgliedschaft im BVMed nutzt. „Wir wollen damit unsere Kräfte bündeln und die Aktivitäten der Homecare-Branche gegenüber Politik und Krankenkassen stärker abstimmen“, so BVMed-Geschäftsführer Dr. Marc-Pierre Möll und VVHC-Geschäftsführer Norbert Bertram. BVMed und VVHC setzen sich gemeinsam für die Stärkung der Qualität in der Hilfsmittel- und Homecare-Versorgung ein. Außerdem möchten beide Verbände das Bewusstsein für die Bedeutung der Homecare-Versorgung für die ambulanten Versorgungsstrukturen in Deutschland stärken.

Homecare steht für die Versorgung von Patient:innen mit medizinischen Hilfsmitteln, Verbandmitteln und medizinischer Ernährung zu Hause und in Pflege- oder Altenheimen. Homecare unterstützt die ambulante Versorgung von Menschen mit Bedarf an medizinischen Hilfsmitteln durch spezialisierte Fachkräfte. Homecare ermöglicht somit vielen Patient:innen, selbstständig zu leben, in den eigenen vier Wänden therapiert und gesund zu werden.

Homecare-Leistungen umfassen unter anderem enterale und parenterale Ernährungstherapien, Infusionstherapien, Stomaversorgung, aufsaugende und ableitende Inkontinenzversorgung, moderne Wundversorgung, Dekubitusprophylaxe, Tracheostoma- und Laryngektomie-Therapie, Sauerstofflangzeit-Therapie, Beatmung, Kompressionstherapie sowie Hilfsmittel, die die Mobilität der Patient:innen zu unterstützen.

Der BVMed repräsentiert über 240 Hersteller, Händler und Zulieferer der Medizintechnik-Branche sowie Hilfsmittel-Leistungserbringer und Homecare-Versorger. Der BVMed ist als maßgeblicher Verband der Hilfsmittel-Leistungserbringer auf Bundesebene anerkannt.

Dem VVHC gehören über 80 Mitgliedsunternehmen an, die insgesamt über 900 Homecare-Unternehmen in der gesamten Bundesrepublik repräsentieren. Die vom VVHC vertretenen Mitglieder versorgen über eine Million Patient:innen in sieben Therapiefeldern

EU-ALLIANCE aims to support SMEs internationalisation in the fields of technical textile, connectivity and advanced materials to address dual use markets in four targeted countries: The United States, Canada, Japan and Indonesia. The EU-ALLIANCE project is funded by the European Union's COSME programme. It brings together 6 key clusters representing nearly 900 companies: Techtera (France); Systematic (France); PO.IN.TEX - Textile innovation cluster (Italy); NTT - Next Technology Tecnotessile (Italy); NIDV - Industries for Defence and Security (Netherlands); SIIT - Intelligent System Integrated Technologies (Italy).

On November 25, the partners hosted a webinar to present the project and the opportunities it will generate. This webinar was also an opportunity to position the participants to benefit from the services generated by the project (market research, commercial missions, B2B meetings, etc.), communicate your needs and thus join the selection of companies that will be able to benefit from European support for these actions. Beyond this internationalisation objective, the project also aims to encourage intra-European collaboration and synergies between the various members of the partner clusters.

• More than 30 leading pioneers of the chemical and material sector welcome the latest political papers from Brussels, Berlin and Düsseldorf

The political situation for renewable carbon from biomass, CO2 and recycling for the defossilisation of the chemical and materials industry has begun to shift fundamentally in Europe. For the first time, important policy papers from Brussels and Germany take into consideration that the term decarbonisation alone is not sufficient, and that there are important industrial sectors with a permanent and even growing carbon demand. Finally, the need for a sustainable coverage of this carbon demand and the realisation of sustainable carbon cycles have been identified on the political stage. They are elemental to the realisation of a sustainable chemical and derived materials industry.

The goal is to create sustainable carbon cycles. This requires comprehensive carbon management of renewable sources, which includes carbon from biomass, carbon from Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) – the industrial use of CO2 as an integral part – as well as mechanical and chemical recycling. And only the use of all alternative carbon streams enables a true decoupling of the chemical and materials sector from additional fossil carbon from the ground. Only in this way can the chemical industry stay the backbone of modern society and transform into a sustainable sector that enables the achievement of global climate goals. The Renewable Carbon Initiative’s (RCI) major aim is to support the smart transition from fossil to renewable carbon: utilising carbon from biomass, CO2 and recycling instead of additional fossil carbon from the ground. This is crucial because 72% of the human-made greenhouse gas emissions are directly linked to additional fossil carbon. The RCI supports all renewable carbon sources available, but the political support is fragmented and differs between carbon from biomass, recycling or carbon capture and utilisation (CCU). Especially CCU has so far not been a strategic objective in the Green Deal and Fit-for-55.

This will change fundamentally with the European Commission's communication paper on “Sustainable Carbon Cycles” published on 15 December. The position in the paper represents an essential step forward that shows embedded carbon has reached the political mainstream – supported by recent opinions from members of the European parliament and also, apparently, by the upcoming IPCC assessment report 6. Now, CCU becomes a recognised and credible solution for sustainable carbon cycles and a potentially sustainable option for the chemical and  material industries. Also, in the political discussions in Brussels, the term “defossilation” is appearing more and more often, complementing or replacing the term decarbonisation in those areas where carbon is indispensable. MEP Maria da Graça Carvahlo is among a number of politicians in Brussels who perceive CCU as an important future industry, putting it on the political map and creating momentum for CCU. This includes the integration of CCU into the new Carbon Removal Regime and the Emission Trading System (ETS).

As the new policy documents are fully in line with the strategy of the RCI, the more than 30 member companies of the initiative are highly supportive of this new development and are ready to support policy-maker with data and detailed suggestions for active support and the realisation of sustainable carbon cycles and a sound carbon management. The recent political papers of relevance are highlighted in the following.

Brussels: Communication paper on “Sustainable Carbon Cycles”
On 15 December, the European Commission has published the communication paper “Sustainable Carbon Cycles” . For the first time, the importance of carbon in different industrial sectors is clearly stated. One of the key statements in the paper is the full recognition of CCU for the first time as a solution for the circular economy, which includes CCU-based fuels as well. The communication paper distinguishes between bio-based CO2, fossil CO2 and CO2 from direct air capture when addressing carbon removal and it also announces detailed monitoring of the different CO2 streams. Not only CCU, but also carbon from the bioeconomy is registered as an important pillar for the future. Here, the term carbon farming has been newly introduced, which refers to improved land management practices that result in an increase of carbon sequestration in living biomass, dead organic matter or soils by enhancing carbon capture or reducing the release of carbon. Even though the list of nature-based carbon storage technologies is non-exhaustive in our view, we strongly support the paper’s idea to deem sustainable land and forest management as a basis for the bioeconomy more important than solely considering land use as a carbon sink. Surprisingly, chemical recycling, which is also an alternative carbon source that substitutes additional fossil carbon from the ground (i.e. carbon from crude oil, natural gas or from coal), is completely absent from the communication paper.

Berlin: Coalition paper of the new German Government: “Dare more progress – alliance for freedom, justice and sustainability”
The whole of Europe is waiting to see how the new German government of Social Democrats, Greens and Liberals will shape the German climate policy. The new reform agenda focuses in particular on solar and wind energy as well as especially hydrogen. Solar energy is to be expanded to 200 GW by 2030 and two percent of the country's land is to be designated for onshore wind energy. A hydrogen grid infrastructure is to be created for green hydrogen, which will form the backbone of the energy system of the future – and is also needed for e-fuels and sustainable chemical industry, a clear commitment to CCU. There is a further focus on the topic of circular economy and recycling. A higher recycling quota and a product-specific minimum quota for the use of recyclates and secondary raw materials should be established at European level. In the coalition paper, there is also a clear commitment to chemical recycling to be found. A significant change for the industry is planned to occur in regards to the so-called “plastic tax” of 80 cents per kilogram of non-recycled plastic packaging. This tax has been implemented by the EU, but most countries are not passing on this tax to the manufacturers and distributors, or only to a limited extent. The new German government now plans to fully transfer this tax over to the industry.

Düsseldorf: Carbon can protect the climate – Carbon Management Strategy North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW)
Lastly, the RCI highly welcomes North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW, Germany) as the first region worldwide to adopt a comprehensive carbon management strategy, a foundation for the transformation from using additional fossil carbon from the ground to the utilisation of renewable carbon from biomass, CO2 and recycling. For all three alternative carbon streams, separate detailed strategies are being developed to achieve the defossilisation of the industry. This is all the more remarkable as North Rhine-Westphalia is the federal state with the strongest industry in Germany, in particular the chemical industry. And it is here, of all places, that a first master plan for the conversion of industry from fossil carbon to biomass, CO2 and recycling is implemented. If successful, NRW could become a global leader in sustainable carbon
management and the region could become a blueprint for many industrial regions.

Der Bundesverband Medizintechnologie (BVMed) erwartet von der Bundesregierung im neuen Jahr entscheidende Weichenstellungen für die im Koalitionsvertrag angekündigte Stärkung des Medizintechnik-Standorts Deutschland und die Entlastung der Unternehmen von starker Bürokratie. „Politik und Gesellschaft können sich in der Corona-Krise auf die versorgungskritische Medizintechnik-Branche verlassen: von der intensivmedizinischen Betreuung, der ambulanten Versorgung durch Homecare-Unternehmen und Hilfsmittel-Leistungserbringer bis hin zur gesteigerten Produktion von Spritzen und Hygieneprodukten für eine erfolgreiche Impfkampagne“, sagte BVMed-Geschäftsführer und Vorstandsmitglied Dr. Marc-Pierre Möll zum Jahreswechsel 2021/22. Sein Appell: „Jetzt dürfen wir die mittelständisch geprägte MedTech-Branche bei der Bewältigung der Herausforderungen nicht im Stich lassen."

Denn die Medizintechnik-Branche stehe zusätzlich zur Bewältigung der Corona-Pandemie vor großen Herausforderungen. So würden beispielsweise steigende Rohstoffpreise, Frachtkosten und Energiepreise für erhöhte Kosten sorgen. Die EU-Medizinprodukte-Verordnung binde die Forschungs- und Entwicklungskapazitäten für die aufwändigen regulatorischen Prozesse zur Rezertifizierung von Bestandsprodukten. Hinzu komme der digitale Wandel und die Transformation der Industrie zu mehr Nachhaltigkeit und Klimaschutz. „Der Koalitionsvertrag bietet gute Ansätze, um den Mittelstand zu stärken, Bürokratie abzubauen und Innovationen zu fördern. Dafür müssen nun die konkreten Schritte angegangen werden, um die Versorgung der Patient:innen in Deutschland mit modernen Medizintechnologien auch in Zukunft zu sichern“, so Möll.

In einem 5-Punkte-Papier spricht sich der BVMed unter anderem für eine „Initiative MedTech 2030“, für eine DRG-Zukunftskommission sowie für eine bessere Nutzung der Gesundheitsdaten für die Forschung und Versorgung aus.

Das Papier kann hier heruntergeladen werden.

Over the past 14 days, the wholesale cost of natural gas in Germany has risen by more than 50%. This increase presents an extraordinary challenge for industry, and there is no sign of support or intervention from the Government. Indeed, recent statements are destined to provoke a worsening of the situation.

Kelheim Fibres is entirely dependent on natural gas for the generation of electrical energy and steam and has no viable short-term alternatives. In addition, the raw materials used by the company often consume high levels of energy in their production and are also increasing significantly in cost. These increases in cost jeopardise the future of the business if they cannot be passed on though the supply chain.

Kelheim Fibres is calling on the Government of Germany to take immediate steps to mitigate the impact of the cost increases for natural gas and is committed to work to implement alternative sources of energy in the medium term.

In parallel, the disruption to global logistic networks that has been seen throughout 2021 is now expected to continue throughout 2022. Massive increases in shipping rates – in some cases in excess of 80% – are being imposed without notice and with no opportunity for negotiation. These costs must also be passed on though the supply chain if businesses are to remain viable.

To address these issues, Kelheim Fibres is implementing the following measures with immediate effect:

• The increased cost of energy and freight will be passed on in prices to customers at the soonest opportunity;
• If necessary, changes or adjustments to existing agreements will be negotiated to reflect the increased cost levels;
• If the necessary increase in fibre prices cannot be secured, cuts to production will be implemented with the objective of minimising losses until the cost increases can be mitigated.

As the drivers for the increases in natural gas prices appear to be temporary in nature, we will maintain any price adjustments under review and pass on any relief to customers.

Craig Barker, CEO of Kelheim Fibres, describes the current situation as critical. “The cost increases we are facing are unprecedented and call for swift and decisive action. We are determined to take the necessary steps to preserve the future of our business and provide security of supply for our customers. At the same time, we are relying on the support of our customers to help us conquer the challenges our business is facing.”

Zum 1. Dezember startete die Hochschule Niederrhein ein vom Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung gefördertes Vorhaben, das den Erwerb von Kompetenzen zur Künstlichen Intelligenz zum Ziel hat. Das auf vier Jahre angelegte Förderprojekt „Public Understanding von KI durch transdisziplinäre Lehre“ wird mit rund zwei Millionen Euro gefördert und ist transdisziplinär ausgerichtet. Lehrende der fünf Fachbereiche Sozialwesen, Oecotrophologie, Textil- und Bekleidungstechnik, Gesundheitswesen sowie Elektrotechnik und Informatik konzipieren Lehrangebote, die Studierende befähigen, anwendungsorientierte KI-Kompetenzen und somit wichtige Future Skills für ihren beruflichen Weg zu erwerben.

Im Fokus steht das gemeinschaftliche Lernen über die Fachbereichsgrenzen hinaus. „So machen sich die Studierenden von heute in zweierlei Hinsicht fit für das, was sie als Fachkräfte von morgen erwartet,“ erklärt der Projektleiter Professor Dr.-Ing. Jens Brandt. „Die Studierenden erarbeiten sich nicht nur zukunftsweisende Fähigkeiten und Methoden im Bereich der KI. Sie lernen auch, über den eigenen fachlichen Tellerrand zu schauen, indem sie in multidisziplinären Teams zusammenarbeiten.“

Der didaktischen Herangehensweise im Projekt kommt ein hoher Stellenwert zu. Hierfür zeichnet der Arbeitsbereich Hochschuldidaktik verantwortlich. „Wir streben an, dass die Studierenden in fachbereichsübergreifenden Gruppen gemeinsam praxisrelevante Fragestellungen lösen indem sie gezielt KI-Methoden einsetzen, die sie sich zuvor erschlossen haben,“ sagt Frau Dr. Sylvia Ruschin, Leiterin des Arbeitsbereichs Hochschuldidaktik an der Hochschule Niederrhein.

Das Projekt unterstreicht eines der wesentlichen Ziele, die die Hochschule Niederrhein als Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften verfolgt: Ihren Absolventinnen und Absolventen Kompetenzen mit auf den Weg zu geben, die sie befähigen, die Bedeutung und Dynamik gesellschaftlicher Wandlungsprozesse zu verstehen und diese Prozesse aktiv und positiv mitzugestalten.