Mechanical engineering sector faces sustainability data gaps

A study conducted by Hochschule München and Leuphana Universität Lüneburg reveals that mechanical engineering companies are struggling with significant data gaps when attempting to assess product sustainability.

Driven by new regulations and customer demands for precise ecological footprint reporting, many firms—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—rely heavily on basic Excel spreadsheets due to a lack of specialized tools. While large corporations have more integrated processes, 89 percent of surveyed companies cited material compliance requirements, such as the REACH regulation, as a primary driver for sustainability efforts. The research, which included interviews with sustainability officers across the mechanical engineering, automotive, and aerospace industries, highlights a critical need for more robust assessment software to replace manual data management.