In cooperation with some of our BÜFA purchasing team members, students at the University of Applied Sciences in Mainz worked on three case studies during the winter semester, which were presented yesterday. The collaboration shows how practice-oriented research and teaching can offer innovative solutions for business challenges. The students worked on the following topics provided by the BÜFA colleagues:
Market analysis for energy procurement and monitoring platforms
The goal is to identify and evaluate sustainable energy procurement and energy monitoring platforms. In the face of a volatile energy market with declining energy consumption and growing green energy production, BÜFA is striving for long-term, cost-effective contracts and efficient monitoring. The focus is on providers that integrate sustainable energy sources. The students analyzed platforms, created supplier profiles and evaluated opportunities and risks.
Market analysis for basic chemicals
We wanted to find out whether a fresh look at the supplier landscape would open up new opportunities for us. The students developed supplier profiles, evaluated sustainability aspects in the supply chain and finally conducted a SWOT analysis for BÜFA. A special highlight for the students was using an AI-supported, internet-based tool to search for suppliers that the company matchory provided to them free of charge.
Analysis of software for CSRD reporting
In view of the mandatory sustainability reporting starting in 2026, the third case study examined software solutions that facilitate compliance with CSRD requirements. After discussions with potential providers, the students evaluated the tools in terms of performance, interface management and user-friendliness and developed recommendations for the introduction of suitable software.
“The results will be incorporated into BÜFA's decision-making process. The case studies enrich our work with practice-oriented analyses and innovative approaches. The students' results provide valuable impetus for the targeted further development of our processes,” summarizes Jasmin Bäumer, Head of Procurement at the BÜFA Group. ”In addition, it is important to provide targeted training to the future generation of buyers to prepare them for the challenges in purchasing. This also includes the use of AI-supported software. In addition, they have to develop ideas on how operational activities can be reduced and strategic activities supported,” says Jasmin Bäumer.
“The collaboration with the companies gives us the opportunity to integrate current issues in practice. We want to give our students not only the necessary knowledge, but also the skills to use it practically and profitably. They learn this in the projects. For this, many thanks to BÜFA, Ms. Bäumer and the employees involved,” said Prof. V. Wollny, who led the university seminar.
