MIBAS Excursion 2019From impulse to impact – MIBAS students develop circular economy concepts for brewery

5 July 2019

Photo: Busch/UHH

Students of the Master's Program "International Business and Sustainability" (MIBAS) were invited to visit the "Brauerei Westheimer". The brewery opened its doors for 47 students to learn more about the production process, ask questions to CEO Moritz Freiherr von Twickel, and develop circular economy concepts that support the mid-sized brewery in its transition to a more sustainable business.

Preceding the trip to Marsberg, near Paderborn, Moritz Freiherr von Twickel presented the brewery and its strategy in one of the “Industrial Ecology” lectures. Supported by the coaching of Prof. Dr. Timo Busch, Chair of Management and Sustainability, students formed small task forces and worked on specific projects that address real-life challenges of the brewery. Students pitched their ideas back during the trip in the first week of July. Amongst the ideas was a strategy to reduce CO2-emissions during the brewing process further, an approach for a lean implementation of certifications such as ISO 14001 and EMAS, and a marketing plan for an organic beer brand with a circular approach to brewing.

The MIBAS brings together students from different cultural backgrounds to develop a shared understanding of the complex interactions that take place in the global economy. The taught component of the program introduces students into the far-reaching theoretical and practical challenges faced by companies and society in the pursuit of sustainable business strategies. As part of the curriculum, students have the opportunity to learn from real-life business cases, for instance, through excursions like these. The last excursion in 2018 was to Siemens Gamesa in Brande, Denmark.