Who we are - what we do

We bundle and promote chemical competencies that contribute to sustainable development

The German Chemical Society (GDCh) set up the Division of Sustainable Chemistry because the contribution of chemistry to sustainable development is becoming increasingly important worldwide. Almost all disciplines of chemistry are relevant in order to meet the central challenges of the future.

Sustainability means developing societies in such a way that today's needs are met and at the same time the development options of future generations are preserved. The equal consideration of economic, ecological and social objectives is a fundamental and decisive factor, as is the holistic view of 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 from chemistry to all areas of life (mobility, nutrition, clothing, living, etc.). It is also essential to introduce the concept of sustainability into all levels of training, research and production. The further development of current chemistry into a sustainable chemistry is also an integral part of the circular economy and the energy transition. sustainable chemistry deals with the following challenges facing society:

 

• efficient design of material cycles
• Development of alternative and better use of established resources
• Avoidance of critical raw materials (availability, toxicity, etc.)
• Development of optimized 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 as well as innovative use of existing waste streams
• Development of substances and products that are quickly and completely degraded if they are released into the environment through their intended use
• Establishing new business models

Short link to this page: www.gdch.de/nachhaltigechemie