Sustainability in the chemical manufacturing sector 

Energy efficiency (see below) and the circular economy are currently particularly relevant fields of action for the chemical industry. After all, companies are important players in sustainability, even in a dual role. On the one hand, as solution providers: for example, in the generation of recycling solutions such as for the paper industry, in the recycling of plastics or as suppliers for the wind power industry. Other key business areas include electrification and securing the food supply for a growing population. 

On the other hand, chemical manufacturing must find out how it can manufacture its products in the most sustainable way with regard to its own production (Scope 1 & 2). This begins with a critical review of production processes and energy use, i.e. the question of whether energy production, distribution and consumption are optimized. One component of this is to put energy sources and feedstocks to the test – and currently, for example, to increasingly switch to hydrogen. This is not just about converting existing systems, but also about building "next generation assets". For example, internal CO2 prices and scoring systems are used to incorporate sustainability effects directly into the business case of the plants. 

Making sustainability tangible  

The products of the chemical industry also enable a large part of the entire manufacturing industry to achieve sustainability goals. On the one hand, this requires understanding specific market requirements and developing suitable solutions – and thus making solar panels and batteries more efficient, wind turbines lighter and more robust and harvests more productive. 

On the other hand, chemical companies also need to translate their "net zero" goals into concrete initiatives, be it the redesign of processes or the construction of new plants. The creation of such specific roadmaps for sustainability is imperative in order to determine a path to one's own "North Star". At the same time, this mobilizes the organization to anchor the topic and keep it a high priority on an ongoing basis. This may also require the formation of partnerships along the value chain in order to achieve a genuine circular economy – this will not succeed on its own.