ELEMENTS

Dossier

Medicine for the world

How medical innovations, in vaccine development, for example, improve and prolong our lives. And how the chemical industry contributes to this process.

To the dossier

Biologicals
Full effect
How PEGylation increases the residence time of biotechnologically manufactured active pharmaceutical ingredients and supports their effect.
Tablets
Robust and fast-dissolving
ODTs are practical, but they crumble easily. The auxiliary material RXCIPIENTS improves their properties.
Global market
Collagen: Facts and figures
What is collagen used for? What are the most important sources? And how are the global sales of collagen developing?
Collagen production
A versatile helper
A biotechnological breakthrough: A new type of platform makes it possible to manufacture different collagens by means of fermentation.
Vaccination
Expensive health?
Nathalie Moll and Dr. Carlos María Correa debate the question of which factors should determine the prices charged for innovative drugs.
Vaccination
An overview of vaccination methods
The fight against the coronavirus and other pathogens — classic vaccines or gene-based innovations?
Medical history
200 years of vaccination
Vaccination saves lives. A look back at over 200 years of successful struggle against viruses, bacteria, and deadly diseases.
Vaccination
Reliable Transport
Special protection vehicle: Lipid nanoparticles envelop mRNA vaccines and enable their passage through the cell membrane.
Vaccination
Progress thanks to the chemical industry
A marathon, not a sprint: In the interview the virologist Prof. Hengel talks about the challenges involved in developing a new vaccine.

The energy transition

Hydrogen fuels hope

Hydrogen has the potential to fundamentally change the economy. What challenges are the researchers up against?

Water electrolysis

The membrane is the key

AEM electrolysis is expected to produce large amounts of green hydrogen. A new membrane will make it possible.

In my element

“I love and hate chlorine”

The diver Tina Punzel plunges every day into a chlorinated pool. What does she associate with the element chlorine?

Microplastics

Raiders of the lost plastic

Patrick Stenner works on processes that fish microplastics out of waste water. Electrochemistry is the key.

Innovations

Perspectives in overview

Research for a better future: Our Perspectives illuminates pioneering ideas and innovations from around the world.

All focal areas

An overview of the dossiers

Reports, interviews, and graphics: Our dossiers bring together everything worth knowing about the main themes of ELEMENTS.

From the sections

Research and Innovation

Chemical production

A Fantastic Shortcut

No diversions: Researchers from Evonik and the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis have succeeded in converting butadiene directly to adipic acid.

Additives

Good inside and out

A lot of food is thrown away or lost. Coatings and additives in plastic packaging are helping to reduce food waste.

Nutrition

A Plentiful and Sustainable Diet

Nearly ten billion people will be living on the planet in 2050—but what will all these people eat?

Markets and Regions

Additive manufacturing

3D printing: Facts and figures

Overview: global demand, most used materials and key players.

Collage of people, skyscrapers and soap bubbles

Foresight

The world in 2040 – scenarios for the future

What will the world look like in 2040? Futurologists at Evonik have developed five scenarios.

Food production

Agriculture: Facts and figures

The amount of resources required by agriculture, how much surface area it requires—and how the harvests are used.

People and Visions

Foresight

The Development of Hygiene

From bacterial infections to COVID-19, advances in hygiene have always played a key role in the fight against disease.

Bioprinting

Improving patients’ quality of life

Wai Yee Yeong talks about the potential benefits of bioprinting for medicine.

In my element

“I’m a 14-year-old chemistry student”

Alexander Mottl is studying chemistry at the University of Bochum—at the age of 14. His special focus is on rare metals such as gallium.

Opinion and Debate

Economic policy

Coronavirus crisis as an opportunity

Evonik CEO Christian Kullmann is calling for a comprehensive Sustainable Future Deal.

Europe

EU: The key is to be close to the people

Fabiana Scapolo, the Deputy Head of the EU Policy Lab, explains the central challenges facing Europe.

Nutrition

How to succeed at sustainable agriculture

Felix Prinz zu Löwenstein explains the steps to make organic farming possible.

Evonik Country
Indonesia: An island nation of superlatives
Almost 270 million people live in Indonesia. A journey through the country with the world’s fourth-largest population.
Look at the photo gallery
Evonik Country
China: Determination in Times of Crisis
How China is prevailing in times of crisis and thus laying the foundations for future growth.
Look at the photo gallery
Evonik Country
Slovakia
Of ice hockey, impressive mountains, and big ambitions: Impressions from the Evonik country Slovakia.
Look at the photo gallery

Knowledge Storage

Issues of Elements in the archive

You will find an overview of previous issues of Elements here.

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