We bundle and promote the competences of chemistry that contribute to sustainable development
The German Chemical Society (GDCh) established the Sustainable Chemistry Division because the contribution of chemistry to sustainable development is becoming increasingly important worldwide. Almost all disciplines of chemistry are relevant to meeting the key challenges of the future.
Sustainability means developing societies in such a way that today's needs are met while preserving the development options of future generations. The equal consideration of economic, ecological and social objectives is a fundamental and decisive factor here, as is the holistic approach to products and processes over the entire life cycle.
Sustainable chemistry is the key discipline that will ensure the future viability of industrial society. It is about sustainable contributions of chemistry to all areas of life (mobility, nutrition, clothing, housing, etc.). It is also essential to incorporate the concept of sustainability into all levels of education, research and production. The further development of current chemistry into sustainable chemistry is also an integral part of the circular economy and the energy transition. Sustainable chemistry addresses the following challenges facing society:
- Efficient design of material cycles
- Development of alternative and better utilisation of established resources
- Avoidance of critical raw materials (availability, toxicity, etc.))
- Development of optimised syntheses and innovative catalytic processes to save energy and raw materials
- Use of reagent-free conversions (photochemistry and electrosynthesis)
- Research and development work on new energy sources
- Design of new recycling and upcycling strategies and innovative use of existing waste streams
- Development of materials and products, that degrade quickly and completely when they are released into the environment through their intended use
- Establishing new business models
Shortlink to this page: www.gdch.de/nachhaltigechemie