German-Slovene Economics Day 2025: Life Cycle Economy

Join us as we explore how the Life Cycle Economy can drive sustainable business models, analyzing the German deposit system as a successful example and discussing opportunities for implementing similar approaches in Slovenia.

Our program includes insightful presentations on various stages in the life cycle of a product – from raw material extraction, production and use to disposal and recycling. We will cover topics such as the implementation of sustainable practices in companies, sustainable thinking in design and production, and how companies can encourage consumers to consume sustainably. We will also look at the German deposit system and compare current developments and perspectives in Germany and Slovenia to discuss important insights and opportunities for action for both countries.

AGENDA

9:00–09:30 Arrival, Registration, Coffee
09:30–09:45 Welcoming Addresses

• Dagmar von Bohnstein, President of the German-Slovene Chamber of Commerce
• Julia Neblich, Deputy Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Slovenia
• Prof. Danica Purg, dean of the IEDC-Bled School of Management

09:45 – 10:15 Keynote: The Circular Economy Landscape in Germany and the EU
• Dr. Beate Baron, Head of Department, Industrial Policy, Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Action (BMWK), Germany (online)

10:15 – 10:30 Best practice: DESIGN and PRODUCTION

How to think sustainable in design and production?
• Prof. Ursula Tischner, design researcher and consultant, and CEO, econcept (online)

10:30 – 10:45 Best practice: DISTRIBUTION and CONSUMPTION

How can a company help consumers to sustainably consume?
• Florian Schleicher, marketing strategist and founder, FutureS (online)

10:45 – 11:00 COLLECTION and RECYCLING
• Darja Figelj, managing director, Interzero Slovenija

11:00 – 11:15 In conversation | Sustainability in Business: Outdated or Essential?
• Simon Franko, Managing Director BASF Slovenia, Croatia & Serbia
• Merle Neumann, M.A., GenZ, AHK Slovenia

11:15 – 11:30 Coffee Break & Networking

11:30 – 11:45 Keynote | “Deutsche Pfandsystem GmbH: Setting the Standard for Recycling Innovation”
• Isabella Artadi, Project Manager, Deutsche Pfandsystem GmbH

11:45 – 12:00 In Focus: Lidl | Good practice of separate collection of plastic bottles in Lidl Slovenia
• Metka Šilar Šturm, Head of Corporate Affairs, Lidl Slovenija

12:00 – 12:45 Panel | Germany vs. Slovenia – Status Quo, Learnings and Perspectives
• Darja Figelj, managing director, Interzero Slovenija
• Dr. Petra Medved Djurašinović, Associate Director, Chamber of Agricultural and Food Enterprises, GZS
• Isabella Artadi, Project Manager, Deutsche Pfandsystem GmbH
• Merle Neumann, M.A., AHK Slovenia

12:45 – 13:30 Networking Lunch