The world is facing major challenges - from the energy transition to the sustainable use of chemicals. The GDCh s think tanks bring together experts from science, industry and other fields to shed light on current chemical issues in a well-founded and multi-layered way.
A GDCh think tank is an interdisciplinary working group that deals with a selected future topic. The aim is to provide scientifically sound information and to inform both politicians and the public about chemical-technical contexts. The diversity of the disciplines and sectors involved means that different perspectives can be incorporated - a great advantage in the complex world of chemistry and one of the strengths of the GDCh.
Would you like to get involved or need more in-depth information? Below you will find an overview of the existing think tanks and your contact persons.
Perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous and controversial due to their widespread use in the environment. They are persistent, many are bioaccumulative and mobile. Some PFAS have harmful human and ecotoxicological effects, while little is known about many representatives. Some PFAS are already regulated, but have been partially replaced by other PFAS with equally harmful effects.
Restriction procedures are currently underway in many countries to reduce emissions. The main emitters are fire-fighting foams, industrial emissions, accidents, the spreading of contaminated sludge, fluorinated gases and the textile industry. PFAS are avoidable in mostly end consumer products, but in many often highly specialised areas of application they can hardly be replaced, if at all.
The PFAS ThinkTank supports the public debate with scientifically sound information and promotes the exchange of different disciplines and perspectives. "Rethinking Chemistry" is called for here!
Contact person:
Prof Dr Ruth Bieringer, Freudenberg FST
Email
The energy transition is one of the key challenges of our time. The GDCh Energy Transition Think Tank brings together experts from industry and academia to make scientifically sound contributions to the transformation of the energy system.
The chemical industry plays a dual role here: it is a major energy consumer and greenhouse gas emitter, but at the same time part of the solution. New technologies developed by the chemical industry for energy storage, energy-efficient processes and innovative materials can make a decisive contribution to the success of the energy transition. The industry is dependent on carbon as a raw material, the availability of which will be reduced in the long term as a result of decarbonisation.
The think tank analyses possible transformation paths, evaluates technological concepts and discusses challenges and possible solutions. The results of this work are presented at conferences, symposia and in specialist publications.
Further information can be found in the following publications:
Saving chemical energy properly - Nachrichten aus der Chemie, Feb. 2025 (DOI)
Saving solar and wind energy - News from the world of chemistry, Oct. 2024 (DOI)
Energy transition: What to consider and do - Chemistry news, Sept 2023 (DOI)
Contact person:
Prof Dr Thomas Osterland, TH Augsburg
Email
Dr Joachim von Heimburg, jvhinnovation GmbH
Email