Top Topics – SustainChem
In 2024/2025, the sustainability strategy was developed by a strategy commission appointed by the Board. The aim of our strategy is to embed sustainability within the GDCh. In doing so, we aim to use our expertise to provide information, develop solutions and contribute to sustainable action in science, business and politics.
You can find out everything about our sustainability strategy on dedicated pages.
In 2024, the Board of Directors resolved to give high priority to the issue of sustainability and to develop a sustainability strategy. We have set up dedicated pages on this topic (see link above). Further articles on sustainable chemistry can be found at the GDCh Division of Sustainable Chemistry and from the JCF Sustainability Team.
The Transbib network aims to accelerate the industrial bioeconomy in Germany. Transbib coordinator Romann Glowacki and scientist Luis Alberto González Díaz explain how it supports companies and researchers, for example in utilising wheat bran in a bioeconomic way. Article by Katharina Käfer in News from the World of Chemistry. (Access for members via the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/rohstoffe-in-kaskaden-nutzen-4159300).
In April 2025, Freie Universität Berlin established the Centre for Sustainable Resources (CSR Berlin) as an umbrella organisation for sustainability projects. The university currently funds the centre, but in future it is also expected to secure its own funding. Susanne Stein, the centre’s scientific coordinator, explains how CSR Berlin supports researchers. Article by Uta Neubauer in Nachrichten aus der Chemie. (Access for members via the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/verantwortungsvoll-forschen-4155389).
Nitrous oxide enters the atmosphere from sources such as fertilisers, exhaust fumes and anaesthetics, and is responsible for around six per cent of global warming. To date, there are no efficient methods for breaking down nitrous oxide. How a new metal-free catalyst could help. Article by Jan Paradies in Nachrichten aus der Chemie. (Access for members via the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/nichts-zu-lachen-oder-doch-4154740).
The world is suffocating under plastic waste. Chemically recovering hydrocarbons from end-of-life polymers could help solve the problem. However, the processes are only just beginning to work. Article by Uta Neubauer in Nachrichten aus der Chemie. (Access for members via the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/erdoelersatz-aus-kunststoffabfaellen-4153083).
The aim of the European Union’s Green Deal is to create a climate-neutral, resource-efficient and competitive economy by 2050. How can greenhouse gas emissions be reduced in the chemical industry in a cost- and energy-efficient manner? Article by Wolfgang Huebinger, Thomas Osterland and Rolf Albach in Nachrichten aus der Chemie. (Access for members via the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/priorisieren-zu-nettonull-4153153).
With its ‘Sustainability Strategy 2030’, the GDCh is setting the course for the future.
As the largest chemical society in the EU, we want to help realise the full potential of the chemical sciences in order to shape a future worth living. Article by Maren Mielck in Nachrichten aus der Chemie. (Access for members via the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/nachhaltigkeit-als-leitprinzip-4152045).
How can molecular energy storage systems be produced using electricity from renewable sources? What needs to be considered when designing fuel cells for high-current operation, whether CO2-reduction with more than two electrons can be achieved, and whether electrochemically produced energy carriers are competitive. Article by Emil Roduner, Thomas Osterland and Wolfgang Hübinger in Nachrichten aus der Chemie. (Access for members via the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/elektrosynthese-mit-sonne-und-wind-4148993).
Time is running out, to avoid a massive mountain of electronic waste from decommissioned solar panels – an estimated 80 million tonnes will have accumulated by the end of 2025. The raw materials contained within should be recovered and reused. Article by Christian Ehrensberger in Nachrichten aus der Chemie. (Access for members via the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/demontieren-trennen-recyceln-4140292)
To use renewable energy efficiently and reduce CO₂ emissions, additional energy storage is needed, along with a better system for flexibly adapting electricity demand to supply. How can chemical energy storage systems such as hydrogen be used for this purpose? Article by Thomas Osterland, Wolfgang Hübinger and Emil Roduner (Free access via the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/chemische-energie-richtig-speichern-4148276
Chemical recycling processes such as pyrolysis, followed by the processing of the pyrolysis oils, break down plastics into their chemical components. These can then be returned to the production cycle. This is now set to become possible even for composite materials. Article by Tobias Rieger, Thomas Fehn and Alexander Hofmann (Free access via the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/rotoren-zu-aromaten-4133776).
Recycling electric car batteries makes supply chains for materials such as lithium, cobalt and nickel environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. Until then, the transition phase in Europe should be optimised with a view to responsible resource use. Article by Jannis Wesselkämper and Stephan von Delft (Free access via the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/wie-batterien-im-kreis-laufen-4145115 ).
The biggest problem facing the energy transition is the temporal and spatial mismatch between electricity generation and consumption. Flexible storage capacities and battery types are therefore essential. Overall, this requires a redesign of the current grid structure. Chemistry plays a role through materials science, electrochemical and thermodynamic techniques. Article by Emil Roduner, Klaus-Dieter Franz, Thomas Osterland, Wolfgang Hübinger and Peter Staniek (Energy Transition Think Tank) (Free access via the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/sonnen-und-windenergie-speichern-4143998)
Polymerisation – depolymerisation – polymerisation – almost infinitely: Polymers can be chemically polyrecycled. Article by Christian Ehrensberger in Nachrichten aus der Chemie. (Free access via the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/immer-wieder-von-vorn-4140287
Politics and society are calling for transparent supply chains in order to achieve the United Nations’ sustainability goals. Companies must therefore implement climate protection through measurable actions. Article by Jörg Schappel in Nachrichten aus der Chemie. (Access for members via the GDCh app: at https://gdch.app/article/unverzichtbares-wissen-4142019)
Plastic waste is accumulating in the oceans and threatening natural biodiversity worldwide. The search for new methods to break down plastics is now focusing on microorganisms and their enzymes. Article by Michael Groß in Nachrichten aus der Chemie. (Free access via the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/enzymes-to-combat-the-plastic-flood-4141920
Reusable food packaging and plastic-free clothing promote greater sustainability and recycling in everyday life. In laboratories, it is not always possible to do without single-use plastics. But there are ways to keep the amount to a minimum. Article by Purnesh Chattopadhyay, Stella Bodiguel and Juliane Simmchen in Nachrichten aus der Chemie (Access for members via the GDCh app: at https://gdch.app/article/wo-sich-einwegplastik-vermeiden-laesst-4137780)
Some active ingredients in old medicines are too valuable to be disposed of in waste incineration plants. A working group at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg extracts them and makes them available as chemicals for research and teaching. Article by Markus R. Heinrich in Nachrichten aus der Chemie (Access for members via the GDCh app: at https://gdch.app/article/labor-statt-muellcontainer-4138226)
Article by Joachim von Heimburg, Emil Roduner, Klaus‐Dieter Franz, Wolfgang Huebinger and Thomas Osterland in Nachrichten aus der Chemie. To the article (Free access via the GDCh app).
A carbon atom recounts its journeys through various plastic applications, inspired by the K 2022 plastics trade fair held in Düsseldorf in the autumn. There, it spent some time in a yellow bag, as the circular economy was one of the main themes of the fair. Read Maren Bulmahn’s article Nachrichten aus der Chemie (Access for members via the GDCh app: at https://gdch.app/article/als-ich-mal-in-polyamid-existierte-4133070 )
As the chemical industry increasingly relies on renewable rather than fossil-based raw materials, alternative synthetic pathways are required. So far, plant-based chemicals have often accounted for only a small proportion of the end product. Not everything is changing – but a great deal is. Read Christian Ehrensberger’s article in Nachrichten aus der Chemie (Access for members via the GDCh app: at https://gdch.app/article/weniger-ethen-mehr-milchsaeure-4123450)
In July 2022, UNESCO proclaimed the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development. In a position paper, the five major professional societies representing the life sciences, chemistry, earth sciences, mathematics and physics call for basic research in Germany and its importance for sustainable development to be more highly valued, better communicated and more effectively funded. To press release
The implementation of the Chemicals 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 engaged in basic research at universities and non-university research institutions will also face new challenges; for example, should chemicals or entire classes of substances potentially be banned in future. This was the focus of the webinar on 15 June 2022.
The articles in the ‘Sustainability’ spotlight in the September issue of Nachrichten aus der Chemie sind verfügbar als virtual issue “Sustainability” in the Wiley Online Library.
Article by Detlef Männig in Nachrichten aus der Chemie
Go to the article (access for members via MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20204104036
At this joint Online event organised by the GDCh and the American Chemical Society (ACS) on 28 October 2020, the role of chemical societies in achieving the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals was discussed.
The event is available to watch as a video.
The white paper Science to enable sustainable plastics summarises the findings of the eighth Chemical Sciences and Society Symposium (CS3). Download the full white paper as a PDF in English or the press release in German
Article by Christian Ehrensberger in Nachrichten aus der Chemie
Read the article (access for members via MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20204095287
Article by Brigitte Osterath in Nachrichten aus der Chemie
Read the article (access for members via MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20204095088
Article by Thomas Kopel and Hannes Utikal in Nachrichten aus der Chemie
Read the article (access for members via MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20194084282
Article by Hans‐Jürgen Weyer and Christoph Bott in Nachrichten aus der Chemie
Go to the article (access for members via MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20184075056
Article by Goverdhan Mehta, Stephen A. Matlin, Alain Krief and Henning Hopf in Nachrichten aus der Chemie
To the article (accessible to members via MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20164048006
As part of its Fact Sheets series, the German Chemical Society (GDCh) has published several fact sheets since April 2020 containing information on relevant topics presented in a way that is accessible to the general public. Go to the fact sheet Insect proteins: a sustainable diet