Marcus Seitz takes over management of innovation and environment at the IHK!

Marcus Seitz takes over management of innovation and environment at the IHK!

An exciting new person is coming to the Middle Franconian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). 51-year-old Marcus Seitz will be the new head of the “Innovation and Environment” division. He succeeds Robert Schmidt, who is taking his well-deserved retirement. Seitz will take up his new position on October 1st and brings with him a broad range of experience that he has gained in his career to date. The academic previously worked at the “Bayern Innovativ” agency, where he worked intensively on the topic of materials. Seitz earned his doctorate in organometallic chemistry from the University of Bayreuth and can therefore draw on a sound academic basis. He currently lives with his family in Creußen near Bayreuth and originally comes from Mittenwald, knowing that he has always had a good feel for future-oriented topics reported.

Seitz sees himself facing an exciting challenge. The IHK will play a key role in the transformation of industry and the environment in the coming period. There is a strong focus on topics such as sustainability and innovation. A good example of this is the upcoming online conference “IPEC 2025”, which will take place on March 18, 2025. This event is dedicated to the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in industry and its impact on sustainable transformations. International experts will share their perspectives on circular economy and innovative business models. The conference is intended to offer small and medium-sized companies and start-ups a platform to exchange information about the latest developments and make new contacts informs Bayern Innovativ.

The importance of AI for the future

Another central aspect that Seitz and the IHK will not lose sight of is the growing use of artificial intelligence to increase sustainability. The use of AI is examined in a current study by the Fraunhofer Institute. This emphasizes that, in addition to customer wishes, companies also have to deal with the political framework and the growing costs for energy and materials. Lawmakers have called for greenhouse gas emissions to be reduced by 37 percent by 2030, which represents a major challenge for many companies reports the Fraunhofer Institute.

The study mentioned presents various approaches to using AI for ecological goals. Biodegradable products could be developed or material and energy consumption in the production process could be optimized. A guide for companies describes steps to effectively implement AI solutions. But, as Wolfgang Weber from Henkel emphasizes, a stable IT infrastructure is needed to create the conditions for the use of AI.

With all this information in mind, it is clear: Marcus Seitz's new area of ​​responsibility will not only be exciting, but also crucial for the future of industry and the environment in Middle Franconia and beyond. Under his leadership, the IHK will certainly initiate some interesting projects that not only benefit companies, but can also make a contribution to sustainable development.