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East Germany's chemical revolution: path to sustainable innovation!
On May 15, 2025, experts will discuss sustainable chemistry in a digital press conference at the TU Berlin and East German institutions.
East Germany's chemical revolution: path to sustainable innovation!
A digital press conference will take place on May 15, 2025, organized by six institutions from five eastern German federal states. The aim is to promote innovations in the field of sustainable chemistry, reports TU Berlin. This step is particularly relevant because East Germany needs new economic stimulus after phasing out brown coal and moving away from fossil fuels. The chemical industry worldwide is undergoing a transition towards sustainable processes that are not only more environmentally friendly, but also promise longer-term economic stability.
The press conference, which will be held between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. via Zoom, requires registration by May 13, 2025 at pressestelle(at)tu-berlin.de. Speakers like Prof. Dr. Juri Rappsilber and other university representatives will talk about the status of research and the importance of sustainable chemistry, as well as the future prospects for the region.
Institutions and their expertise
The participating institutions include respected institutions such as the Cluster of Excellence UniSysCat, the Center for the Transformation of Chemistry (CTC), and the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis (LIKAT). These institutions bring extensive expertise in various areas of sustainable chemistry. The UniSysCat combines research at the interface between chemistry and biology, while the CTC, as a large research center, promotes the transformation of chemistry into a circular economy.
LIKAT is one of the largest research institutes for applied catalysis in Europe. With the University of Greifswald, which specializes in marine biotechnology and environmentally friendly raw materials, and the greenCHEM network, which creates an innovation ecosystem for green chemistry in industrial applications, it is clear that collaboration between science and industry is at the forefront. The startup Labor Schwedt also promotes networking with industry partners for innovative approaches.
The role of green chemistry
A fundamental change is currently being sought in the chemical industry. This industry causes around 4% of CO2 emissions in Germany. Loud UMFIS Resource efficiency and waste reduction are important, especially in the context of the EU circular economy strategy and the EU Green Deal, which follows a zero-pollution approach. Attention should also be paid to the 12 principles of green chemistry, developed since 1998 and pursuing goals such as waste reduction and the use of renewable resources.
In addition, many companies are coming up with innovative approaches. For example, new bio-based chemicals and catalytic processes are being used to create environmentally friendly alternatives. Circular economy aims to use resources sustainably and avoid waste. Particularly noteworthy are initiatives in which companies develop high-performance materials from renewable raw materials.
Challenges and future prospects
Despite progress, the chemical industry faces challenges, particularly in implementing the circular economy. There are inevitable losses in recycling processes and a need for modular, long-lasting products. The Chemical Industry Association (VCI) has presented a clear plan to become climate neutral by 2050 and reduce energy sources dependent on fossil fuels by relying on green hydrogen.
The chemical industry is also planning to introduce sustainable business models, such as leasing chemicals. It is not the material that is sold, but rather its effect. Such models are already established in the automotive and metal industries and could also find their way into the chemical industry to minimize environmental impacts while achieving economic benefits, such as Deutschlandfunk points out.
Overall, it is clear that sustainable chemistry is a research direction of central importance. The combination of innovative research, industrial application and political framework conditions will be crucial in meeting the challenges of the future and developing sustainable chemical products.