Due to legal requirements (e.g. the EU Green Deal) and customer requirements passed on by the end consumer via the OEM, manufacturers of cables and entire cable assemblies are faced with the challenge of significantly reducing the carbon footprint of their products and complying with increasing recycling quotas. Over 75% of CO₂ emissions are attributable to the cables themselves and connectors. Third place is taken by other plastic elements. Emissions can be significantly reduced by using other materials, particularly recycled materials, and saving material (e.g. through foamed plastics). However, increasing sustainability indicators is in conflict with certain customer requirements and the costs of the products, so compromises have to be found.

David Lukavsky and Nikola Mitrovic from GG Group presented the topic at the theme day "Sustainability in the wiring harness" on March 6, 2024 at the OHLF in Wolfsburg.