GDCh top issues

Here you will find publications on topics that concern the GDCh. You can find the links to the individual publications by clicking on the arrow to the right of the heading

Rethinking Chemistry

In 2022, the GDCh Board decided to make Rethinking Chemistry the GDCh motto. Rethinking Chemistry should provide space for new thoughts and ideas on all subject areas to which chemistry can and must make valuable contributions. We have set up our own pages for this complex of topics.

climate change


Methane in the atmosphere (February 2023)

In autumn 2022, explosions caused leaks in the two Baltic Sea pipelines Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2. This act of sabotage suddenly drew public attention to a gas that had been somewhat forgotten in the discussion about the anthropogenic greenhouse effect and the role of carbon dioxide : Methane as a component of the atmosphere and climate-impacting trace gas. Article by Peter Wiesen and Niklas Illmann in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie. To the contribution ( free access) in the GDCh app ).


How much hydrogen can the atmosphere tolerate? (November 2022)

Hydrogen reacts with hydroxyl radicals, affecting the lifetime of methane in the atmosphere. This effect is currently negligible due to the small amounts of hydrogen in the atmosphere. However, if hydrogen is used as an energy carrier in the future, this could change. Article by Reinhard Zellner in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie. To the contribution (free access) in the GDCh app.


Parliamentary evening in Berlin (October 2022)

On October 19, 2022, the companies (GDCh as well as DPG, DVGeo, DMV and VBIO) that are part of the "Wissenschaft combines" alliance invited to a joint parliamentary evening in Berlin. A total of 33 members of parliament and representatives of members of parliament informed themselves about the expertise available in mathematics and natural sciences and about current solutions to the current challenges. The focus was on individual discussions at thematic tables in the areas of "Materials and Raw Materials", "Energy Storage and Distribution", "Energy Generation", "Climate Modeling", "Greenhouse Gas Reduction" and "Resilience and Sustainability".


Climate change: Reasons, requirements, and realities (March 2022)

Contribution by Henning Hopf, Alain Krief, Stephen A. Matlin and Goverdhan Mehta in The Nachrichten aus der Chemie. To the contribution in the GDCh app



Scientific societies on climate change: "Listen to the science!" (January 2020)

Four major mathematical and scientific societies in Germany, including the GDCh, are demanding vigorous measures against climate change from politics and business. They refer to the available scientific knowledge, which requires more decisive action. More information in a press release.



GDCh fact sheet: Climate change: Small molecules - big impact: (June 2020)

Since April 2020, the German Chemical Society has been publishing fact sheets with generally understandable information on relevant topics at www.gdch.de/factsheet. To the climate change factsheet: Small molecules – big impact!



Too much CO 2 from traffic: is electric mobility the solution? (May 2019)

A contribution to the discussion by Reinhard Zellner, offprint of the article from the Nachrichten aus der Chemie
Released May 2019; Download PDF (1.9 MB)



Air quality and climate - challenges for chemistry (August 2017)

A contribution in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie to the working committee chemistry, air quality and climate (CLK) by Peter Wiesen, Wuppertal and Reinhard Zellner, Essen, Chair of the CLK committee. To the post



Statement at the end of the World Climate Summit in Paris (December 2015)

The global community agreed in Paris: climate protection is a global obligation. There is no longer any doubt about the anthropogenic cause of climate change and the need for action to keep it within limits. This is more than previous decisions by the negotiating partners and therefore a success. At least politically and mentally. But what can we really expect? A statement from Prof. Dr. Reinhard Zellner, Chair of the GDCh/Dechema/DBG Joint Committee on Chemistry, Air Quality and Climate. To the press release



You can find more articles on the topic of climate change in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie

Sustainable sustainable chemistry


When I once existed in polyamide (December 2022)

A carbon atom tells of his journeys through plastic applications, inspired by the plastics fair K 2022 in Düsseldorf in autumn. It was there in a yellow sack for a while, because circular economy was one of the main themes of the fair. On the article by Maren Bulmahn Nachrichten aus der Chemie (access for members in the GDCh app: at https://gdch.app/article/als-ich-mal-in-polyamid-existierte-4133070 )


Less Ethene, More Lactic Acid (October 2022)

If the chemical industry is increasingly using renewable instead of fossil raw materials as a basis, other synthetic routes will be necessary. So far, plant-based chemicals often make up only a small part of the end product. Not everything will be new – but a lot will. On the article by Christian Ehrensberger in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie (access for members in the GDCh app: at https://gdch.app/article/weniger-ethen-mehr-milchsaeure-4123450 )


Mathematical and scientific societies demand: Strengthen basic research in Germany (July 2022)

In July 2022, UNESCO proclaimed the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development. In a position paper, the five major specialist societies in the life sciences, chemistry, geosciences, mathematics and physics call for more appreciation of basic research in Germany and its importance for sustainable development, better communication and more effective funding. To the press release


GDCh Webinar "Dealing with the Green Deal - The EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability" (June 2022)

The implementation of the chemical strategy with its more than 50 measures will have far-reaching consequences not only for the chemical industry and the use of chemical products. Researchers in basic research at universities and non-university research institutions also have to face new challenges, for example if chemicals or entire classes of substances are banned in the future. That's what the webinar on June 15, 2022 was about.


Spotlight "Sustainability" (September 2021)

The articles on sustainability in the September issue of the Nachrichten aus der Chemie are published as a virtual issue "Sustainability" in the Wiley Online Library.


Sustainability initiative: Taking responsibility (December 2020)

Article by Detlef Männig in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie
To the contribution (access for members under MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20204104036


The Role of Chemical Societies and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (October 2020)

At this joint Online event of the GDCh and the American Chemical Society (ACS) on October 28, 2020, the role of chemical societies in achieving the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals was discussed.

The event is available as a video.


Science to enable sustainable plastics (July 2020)

The White Paper Science to enable sustainable plastics summarizes the results of the eighth Chemical Sciences and Society Symposium (CS3). Download the complete white paper as a pdf in English or the press release in German


Less disposable plastic (March 2020)

Article by Christian Ehrensberger in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie
Contribution (access for members under MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20204095287


Crack or Meltdown (February 2020)

Article by Brigitte Osterath in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie
To the contribution (access for members under MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20204095088


Circular economy: a real business opportunity (February 2019)

Article by Thomas Kopel Hannes Utikal in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie
Contribution (access for members under MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20194084282


Raw Material Scenarios: Supply in 2050 (June 2018)

Article by Hans‐Jürgen Weyer and Christoph Bott in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie
To the contribution (access for members under MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20184075056


The Global Responsibility of Chemistry (May 2016)

Contributions by Goverdhan Mehta, Stephen A. Matlin, Alain Krief, and Henning Hopf to Nachrichten aus der Chemie
Contribution (access for members under MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20164048006


GDCh fact sheet: Insect proteins: a sustainable diet! (March 2021)

Since April 2020, the German Chemical Society has been publishing fact sheets with generally understandable information on relevant topics at www.gdch.de/factsheet. To the fact sheet insect proteins: a sustainable diet



You can find more articles on the subject of sustainable chemistry in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie and in the GDCh Division of Sustainable Chemistry.

Publications (Open Access, NFDI4Chem, ChemRxiv)


Five Years of ChemRxiv: Where We Are and Where We Go From Here (December 2022)

ChemRxiv has grown into the premier preprint server for the chemical sciences, with a global audience and a wide array of scholarly content. On the service's fifth anniversary, we would like to reflect on the past five years and take a look at what is next for ChemRxiv. Contribution by Dr. Benjamin Mudrak, Sara Bosshart, Prof. dr Wolfram Koch, Allison Leung, Dr. Donna Minton, Dr. Mitsuo Sawamoto and Sarah Tegen in Applied Chemistry/Int. Edition (free access)


Spotlight issue "Publishing" (May 2021)

All contributions to the spotlight on publishing are summarized as a virtual issue.


The Chemical Societies of Japan and China Join ChemRxiv (August 2019)

The American Chemical Society, the German Chemical Society and the Royal Society of Chemistry announce their partnership with the Chinese Chemical Society and the Chemical Society of Japan as co-owners. More information. More about ChemRxiv, the open access preprint archive for chemistry


DEAL agreement comes into effect (July 2019)

On July 1, 2019, the contract between the DEAL project, which represents almost 700 academic institutions in Germany as a consortium, and the publisher John Wiley & Sons, Inc. comes into force. The agreement was signed in January 2019. Among other things, the contract regulates that researchers at Projekt DEAL institutions can publish articles as "Open Access" in Wiley journals. Further information


Statement of the German Chemical Society on "Plan S" (December 2018)

In September 2018, eleven research funding organizations from Europe (cOAlition S) published the so-called Plan S, which defines ten principles for the framework conditions for the transition to Open Access for the research results funded by these funding organizations by the year 2020. For comments in German and English.


GDCh cooperates with ACS and RSC in the development of the preprint server ChemRxiv (April 2018)

The American Chemical Society (ACS), the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and the German Chemical Society (GDCh) are collaborating to advance the financial and strategic development of ChemRxiv, the preprint server for the global chemistry community.


GDCh position paper on Open Access (December 2013)

At its meeting in December 2013, the GDCh Board approved the position paper “On the future of academic publishing”. The paper was drawn up by a 13-strong commission chaired by the GDCh President, Professor Barbara Albert, on the basis of a GDCh discussion paper “On open access to scientific knowledge (Open Access)” drawn up in 2004. Download the position paper ( PDF )


Corsortia NFDI4Chem and NFDI4Cat

NFDI4Chem is the specialist consortium for chemistry, NFDI4Cat is the specialist consortium for catalysis in the National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI) initiative. The goals of NFDI4Chem and NFDI4Cat are the digitization of all important steps in chemical research to support scientists in the collection, storage, processing, analysis, publication and reuse of research data. The GDCh is involved in both consortia. Learn more about NFDI4Chem and NFDI4Cat


You can find more articles on the subject of open access in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie

Ethical and social issues


The GDCh is temporarily or permanently active in various committees that are directed against chemical weapons. For example, she is a member of the German working group “Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of Biological and Chemical Weapons”. The working group was founded in 1997 and is supported by various organizations. His goal is, among other things, to deepen knowledge of biological and chemical arms control in the exchange between science and practice.

The GDCh is also represented on the Advisory Board of the BMBF-funded "Competence Network on Chemical and Biological Weapons ( CBW Competence Network )", which started its project work in April 2022. Among other things, the network is working to strengthen norms against chemical and biological weapons (CBW).

From 2016 to 2021, the GDCh was represented on the OPCW Advisory Board on Education and Outreach. The OPCW is an independent international organization that monitors compliance with and implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and sets the framework for the destruction of chemical weapons.


Against chemical warfare agents (December 2022)

Since Russia's attack on Ukraine, there have been fears that the warring parties could use chemical weapons. As chemists, we have a special responsibility to prevent the manufacture and use of chemical weapons. The GDCh is active in various places to raise awareness. On the article by Karin J. Schmitz in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie or in the GDCh app (free access): https://gdch.app/article/gegen- Chemische-kampfstoffe-4133151


Events on Dual Use (May 2021)

In a joint event with the Leopoldina and the German Research Foundation in 2021, the problem of dual use, i.e. the use of research results both for desired applications and for misuse, was discussed. Another event with representatives of the GDCh followed in 2022.


Positioning Against Chemical Weapons (2018)

After the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OVCW) confirmed the repeated use of poison gas in Syria, including in February 2018, the German Chemical Society (GDCh) sharply condemned the use. "We are appalled that people are being murdered or injured with chemical warfare agents again and again," emphasized Dr. Matthias Urmann, then President of the GDCh, in a press release entitled Chemists condemn the use of poison gas in Syria.

At that time, the chemical societies of Europe, including the GDCh, reaffirmed their commitment to the Seville Declaration, which was issued in 2016. The statement, signed by 36 chemical societies in Europe, said: "We, the member societies of the European Association for Chemical and Molecular Sciences (now the European Chemical Society, EuChemS), condemn the use of chlorine in Syria and other parts of the world world and call on the international community to bring those responsible for the misuse of chlorine to justice".


GDCh Board supports Hague Ethics Guidelines (January 2016)

Under the leadership of the OPCW, more than 30 scientists and representatives of chemical societies developed the "Hague Ethics Guidelines", which were adopted in September 2015. Three representatives of the GDCh were also involved in the elaboration. The GDCh Board expressly supported the Hague ethics guidelines.


Memorial to Victims of Chemical Weapons (April 2015)

In April 2015, a commemoration event in Ypres, Belgium, commemorated the people who died there 100 years earlier in the first major use of poison gas in World War I and in later operations. The chemical community was represented by the then Presidents of GDCh and EuChemS, Thomas Geelhaar and David Cole-Hamilton, and the then Past President of the Royal Society of Chemistry, David Phillips.


Book "Chemists in the 'Third Reich'" published (March 2015)

In 2015 the study Chemists in the Third Reich was published, which the science historian Helmut Maier wrote on behalf of the GDCh. The German Chemical Society is thus committed to working through the history of its predecessor companies. The book, which has more than 700 pages, offers a detailed and independent study of the functions and structures of the DChG and the VDCh from 1933 to 1945. In addition to the description of the structures created at that time, individual fates are also tracked down and illuminated as a warning reminder for the following generations.


GDCh code of conduct (since 1998)

Every person who wants to become a member of the GDCh must sign the GDCh code of conduct. It says, among other things: “All GDCh members are aware that, as natural scientists, they are particularly responsible for the effects of their professional activity on people and nature. (...) They observe the laws and international conventions applicable to their work and its results and effects and oppose the misuse of chemistry, e.g. B. for the production of chemical weapons and narcotics. In the development, application and dissemination of chemical knowledge, they are bound by the truth and do not use unfair methods.”

Corona/COVID-19


Malaria and Covid knowledge (May 2023)

Experience gained in developing several Covid vaccines could soon be useful in fighting malaria. To the article by Michael Groß in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie (access for members in the GDCh app: at https://gdch.app/article/malaria-und-coviderwissen-4133612


Oral against Corona (November 2022)

An oral vaccination against Covid-19 would be an alternative to the injection. It could increase the willingness to vaccinate in industrialized countries and make vaccination coverage in developing countries possible in the first place. On the article by Christian Ehrensberger in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie (access for members in the GDCh app: at https://gdch.app/article/oral-gegen-corona-4123451 )


Is smell loss curable? (October 2022)

Covid-19 leads to a temporary or even long-lasting loss of smell (anosmia) in many sufferers. In doing so, the pandemic is putting a long-neglected health issue in the spotlight -- and raising hope for advances in treatment. On the article by Michael Groß in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie or in the GDCh app (free access): https://gdch.app/article/ist-odorloss-heilbar-4131292


Viral RNA or Antibody (April 2022)

New test methods should make Sars-CoV-2 PCR tests faster or tell patients whether they are protected against the virus.

On the article by Christian Ehrensberger in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie (access for members in the GDCh app: at https://gdch.app/article/virenrna-oder-antikoerper-4125613 )


Minutes instead of hours (November 2021)

How the path from basic research to an enzyme led to rapid diagnosis of the Sars-CoV-2 virus with real-time polymerase chain reaction.

On the article by Andreas Marx, Karin Betz and Moritz Welter in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie (access for members under MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20214114742


Vaccine: well wrapped to the target (November 2021)

Producing an mRNA vaccine against the Sars-CoV-2 virus in large quantities is not a problem. The bottleneck, on the other hand, is the packaging, including the lipids that protect it.

Article by Christian Ehrensberger in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie (access for members under MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20214106741


Vaccination against Covid‐19 (February 2021)

The escalating Covid-19 pandemic has seen multiple vaccines against the disease being developed and approved at a record pace. Researchers used both established and new strategies.

Article by Michael Groß in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie (Free Access): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20214106859


The virus and the nose (December 2020)

A peculiarity of the currently rampant Sars-Cov-2 coronavirus is that infected people no longer perceive some smells. This can be used to detect an infection at an early stage.

Contribution by Christoph Kleber, Achim Walter Hassel and Heike Rebholz in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie (Free Access): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20204104312


The Pandemic Family Tree (December 2020)

The genome of the Covid-19 pathogen Sars-Coronavirus-2 (Sars-Cov-2) consists of 30,000 letters. Viral genomes of tens of thousands of infected people have already been sequenced and examined. From this, details of the global spread can be read and perhaps also information about how the pandemic will develop.

Article by Michael Groß in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie (Free Access): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20204101708


COVID-19 and the role of aerosol particles (December 2020)

In a current statement, the joint Working Committee on Fine Dusts (AAF) of DECHEMA/ProcessNet, GDCh and KRdL analyzes the aerosol transmission path of the corona viruses in more detail. The experts go into countermeasures and explain how masks, proper ventilation, suitable air purification and overhead extraction can reduce the aerosol load and thus transmission. To comment


Trend Report Biochemistry: Structural Biology of Sars-Cov-2 with NMR Spectroscopy (July 2020)

Article by Harald Schwalbe in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie
Contribution (Free Access): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20204099573


The Run on Virus Tests (June 2020)

Testing as many people as possible for an infection with Sars-Cov-2 has advantages. Not only does this reveal the true spread of the population, but: those who know that they carry the virus are also more willing to stay at home. But the test reagents are not that easy to obtain in the required quantities.

Contribution by Brigitte Osterath in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie (access for members under MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20204099677


Of Viruses and Animals (May 2020)

The virus that causes the Covid-19 pandemic has jumped from animals to humans, as have the pathogens that cause Sars, Mers and various versions of the flu. To avoid future pandemics, we must identify and block the routes by which they reach us.

Article by Michael Groß in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie (Free Access): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20204099025


Position paper of the mathematical and scientific societies on the COVID-19 pandemic (May 2020)

The COVID-19 pandemic cannot be overcome without mathematical and scientific expertise. This is emphasized by five major mathematical and scientific societies in Germany in a position paper. The specialist societies DVGeo, DMV, DPG, GDCh and VBIO represent the subjects biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and earth sciences. To the position paper


GDCh fact sheets (April 2020)

Since April 2020, the German Chemical Society has been publishing fact sheets with generally understandable information on relevant topics at www.gdch.de/factsheet. The first two factsheets deal with combating viruses using antiviral agents or soap and disinfectants.


Information on Corona (2020/2021)

Chemical-related information on the pandemic is continuously linked on these pages

Chemistry courses and university teaching


Position paper of the mathematical and scientific societies on further and vocational training of teachers (March 2022)

The position paper of the mathematical and scientific specialist societies united in Wissenschaft-verbindet calls on politicians and school authorities to create qualified further training offers for teachers of mathematical and scientific school subjects and to make it easier for them to participate during regular working hours.


Recommendations of the GDCh study commission for the bachelor’s degree in chemistry at universities (September 2021)

With this list of topics, the Chemistry Study Commission of the German Chemical Society (GDCh) takes stock of the six-semester Bachelor's university courses in chemistry at universities and shows future prospects. To the recommendations


Education, research and innovation policy position paper of chemical organizations (March 2021)

Publisher: Federal Chemical Employers Association (BAVC), German Bunsen Society for Physical Chemistry eV (DBG), Society for Chemical Engineering and biotechnology eV (DECHEMA), Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology eV (GBM), German Chemical Society eV (GDCh), Industrial Union for Mining, Chemistry and Energy (IG BCE), Association of Employed Academics and Executives in the Chemical Industry eV (VAA), and Association of the Chemical Industry eV (VCI) To the position paper


Cross-association position paper on the upper level in the nine-year high school (April 2019)

The GDCh and six other associations present their demands for teaching in high schools. To the position paper


Closed conference “Strengthening chemistry lessons in grades 5 and 6” (June 2017)

The results of the retreat at the Evangelische Akademie Tutzing in September 2016 are summarized in a brochure.


Recommendations of the GDCh study commission for the bachelor’s degree in chemistry at universities (March 2015)

The catalog of topics for the six-semester Bachelor's university courses in chemistry at universities contains an inventory of the core content of the modern Bachelor's degree in chemistry, spanning around four semesters, as well as optional curriculum components. To the recommendations


Statistical surveys

Every year, the GDCh collects comprehensive data on the number of chemistry students in the various stages of study, the number of exams taken, their assessments and the duration of the study. In addition, data on habilitations, habilitation candidates and junior professorships at German universities, as well as the proportion of female C3 and C4 professors are regularly recorded. Further information

equal opportunity


Nothing to Lose in Inclusion (March 2021)

Editorial by Dr. Lisa Pecher in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie
Contribution (access for members under MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20214108514



Equal opportunities is an important topic for the GDCh. Regardless of our (historical) name German Chemical Society, chemists of all nationalities are of course welcome. We also address all genders. One of our mission statements states, among other things: "We live diversity and equal opportunities".

Our equal opportunities activities are summarized on a separate website. In addition, the GDCh Board has set up a Commission for Equal Opportunities in Chemistry.

In December 2021, the GDCh Board adopted the guidelines for gender-sensitive language in the GDCh

war in Ukraine


Joint statement by DVGeo, DPG, GDCh and VBIO on the war in Ukraine (February 25, 2022)

The four major scientific societies are deeply shocked by the military violence in Ukraine. Our concern and our solidarity are with the Ukrainian people and all other victims of this war, which we call for an immediate end. To the statement


"We don't make plans" (May 2023)

In spring a year ago, chemistry students from Kyiv were among the refugees from Ukraine. The University of Gießen had accepted about 20. Since then they have started research projects, completed their studies, started a doctoral thesis, learned German or left Germany.

Article by Frauke Zbikowski in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie or for members in the GDCh app


Toxins and Chemical Plants at War (December 2022)

In the course of the war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of using false flags or planning to use chemical weapons. So far, there is no evidence for the allegations. International mechanisms exist to have the allegations independently investigated. On the article by Anna Krin and Kristoffer Burck in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie and in the GDCh app (free access): https://gdch.app/article/giftstoffe-und-chemieanlagen-im-krieg-4132604


Chemists in Ukraine: Air Raid Shelters Instead of Laboratories (April 2022)

Article by Frauke Zbikowski in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie
To the article in the GDCh app (Free Access)


Website with information (March 2022)

A regularly updated compilation of statements and offers of help for Ukrainian scientists and aid organizations is published on these pages (short link www.gdch.de/ukraine ).

You can also find articles on all relevant chemistry topics in the journals of the GDCh

back to publications

Further statements and position papers of the GDCh

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last modified: 12.05.2023 13:59 H from Translator