According to Maximilian Fichtner, it’s only a matter of time before gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles will be replaced by electric cars. In this interview, the renowned battery expert explains why Chinese storage technology is faster and more powerful—and why Europe is in danger of missing the boat
Mobility
Why Europe Lags in EV Shift
According to Maximilian Fichtner, it’s only a matter of time before gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles will be replaced by electric cars. In this interview, the renowned battery expert explains why Chinese storage technology is faster and more powerful—and why Europe is in danger of missing the boat
Interview
Growth or Grit?
For a long time, economic growth inevitably meant the additional consumption of resources. With the help of technical innovations, companies are trying to uncouple these two phenomena. The growth critic Niko Paech and the venture capitalist Romy Schnelle debate about whether this attempt can succeed
Interview
Growth or Grit?
For a long time, economic growth inevitably meant the additional consumption of resources. With the help of technical innovations, companies are trying to uncouple these two phenomena. The growth critic Niko Paech and the venture capitalist Romy Schnelle debate about whether this attempt can succeed
Good to Know
History of Electrochemistry
In view of the increasing share of renewable energies, electrochemistry is coming into focus. However, it is not a new branch of chemistry, but has a longer history. Here are some milestones.
Good to Know
History of Electrochemistry
In view of the increasing share of renewable energies, electrochemistry is coming into focus. However, it is not a new branch of chemistry, but has a longer history. Here are some milestones.
Interview
Debate: Is smart farming worth it?
Thanks to smart technology, cows can be milked efficiently and crop protection agents can be precisely applied. At the same time, data gathering and processing is facing agricultural operations with huge challenges. Andreas Dörr, a farmer, and Johann Meierhöfer, an expert from a farmers’ association, talk about the opportunities and limits of digitalization
Interview
Debate: Is smart farming worth it?
Thanks to smart technology, cows can be milked efficiently and crop protection agents can be precisely applied. At the same time, data gathering and processing is facing agricultural operations with huge challenges. Andreas Dörr, a farmer, and Johann Meierhöfer, an expert from a farmers’ association, talk about the opportunities and limits of digitalization
Interview
“Plastics help to reduce CO₂ and conserve resources”
High-performance polymers easily withstand impacts and high temperatures, are lightweight, and can be formed into every possible shape. They play an important role in many products. Dr. Ralf Düssel, the Head of Sustainability at Evonik and the chairman of Plastics Europe Germany, talks about the advantages of this material—and how it can be recycled even more thoroughly in the future
Interview
“Plastics help to reduce CO₂ and conserve resources”
High-performance polymers easily withstand impacts and high temperatures, are lightweight, and can be formed into every possible shape. They play an important role in many products. Dr. Ralf Düssel, the Head of Sustainability at Evonik and the chairman of Plastics Europe Germany, talks about the advantages of this material—and how it can be recycled even more thoroughly in the future
Interview
How can we protect water?
Today a large proportion of our freshwater is disappearing unused into the ocean, causing additional rising of the sea level. The hydrologist Dr. Johannes Cullmann works as a scientific advisor for the United Nations. He believes that the water challenge can still be solved at the global level—if the steps are implemented at a faster rate than climate change
Interview
How can we protect water?
Today a large proportion of our freshwater is disappearing unused into the ocean, causing additional rising of the sea level. The hydrologist Dr. Johannes Cullmann works as a scientific advisor for the United Nations. He believes that the water challenge can still be solved at the global level—if the steps are implemented at a faster rate than climate change
Interview
Planning and prioritization for climate neutrality
Ferdi Schüth is one of the most renowned chemistry professors in Germany and the managing director of the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung. He thinks it is technologically possible for the EU to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. However, the attainment of this goal will require the chemical industry to radically restructure its material and energy flows
Interview
Planning and prioritization for climate neutrality
Ferdi Schüth is one of the most renowned chemistry professors in Germany and the managing director of the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung. He thinks it is technologically possible for the EU to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. However, the attainment of this goal will require the chemical industry to radically restructure its material and energy flows
Energy Transition
Biomethane instead of natural gas
The European Union has set itself the goal of replacing one fifth of natural gas exports from Russia with biomethane by 2030. The head of the European Biogas Association EBA, Harmen Dekker, believes this is realistic—provided that approval procedures for new plants are accelerated and local residents benefit to a greater extent
Energy Transition
Biomethane instead of natural gas
The European Union has set itself the goal of replacing one fifth of natural gas exports from Russia with biomethane by 2030. The head of the European Biogas Association EBA, Harmen Dekker, believes this is realistic—provided that approval procedures for new plants are accelerated and local residents benefit to a greater extent
Interview
Using natural resources sustainably
René Kleijn (58) is an associate professor in Industrial Ecology at Leiden University in the Netherlands. He is the author of many scientific publications and helped develop the field Industrial Ecology into a mature scientific discipline in the early 2000s. His research revolves the systematic analysis of sustainability issues using tools like Life Cycle Assessment and Substance and Material Flow Analysis. Kleijn has applied these tools in many different domains including the chemical industry, the energy sector and the recycling industry. In recent years, the focus in his research has been on critical raw materials, resilient and responsible supply chains, circularity, and possible material constraints within the energy transition
Interview
Using natural resources sustainably
René Kleijn (58) is an associate professor in Industrial Ecology at Leiden University in the Netherlands. He is the author of many scientific publications and helped develop the field Industrial Ecology into a mature scientific discipline in the early 2000s. His research revolves the systematic analysis of sustainability issues using tools like Life Cycle Assessment and Substance and Material Flow Analysis. Kleijn has applied these tools in many different domains including the chemical industry, the energy sector and the recycling industry. In recent years, the focus in his research has been on critical raw materials, resilient and responsible supply chains, circularity, and possible material constraints within the energy transition
Energy Transition
»Renewables are the cheapest type of energy supply«
The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies is a massive endeavor for the economy and society. The engineering scientist Volker Quaschning explains why he
believes nonetheless that the transition to wind power and photovoltaics is succeeding
Energy Transition
»Renewables are the cheapest type of energy supply«
The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies is a massive endeavor for the economy and society. The engineering scientist Volker Quaschning explains why he
believes nonetheless that the transition to wind power and photovoltaics is succeeding
Interview
Concrete Missteps or on the Right Path with Wood?
From dwellings to airports, from offices to bridges—the world is building more and more every year. How can we find a way to improve people’s lives by erecting more sustainable structures? Materials scientist and concrete advocate Karen Scrivener joins architect and timber expert Stephan Birk to discuss possible paths towards climate friendly solutions.
Interview
Concrete Missteps or on the Right Path with Wood?
From dwellings to airports, from offices to bridges—the world is building more and more every year. How can we find a way to improve people’s lives by erecting more sustainable structures? Materials scientist and concrete advocate Karen Scrivener joins architect and timber expert Stephan Birk to discuss possible paths towards climate friendly solutions.
Interview
How to succeed at sustainable agriculture
Which type of agriculture—organic or conventional—provides better responses to the demands of global nutrition? Dr. Felix Prinz zu Löwenstein, an advocate of organic farming, talks about technological progress in agriculture, sustainable agricultural policy, and the true cost of a roast chicken
Interview
How to succeed at sustainable agriculture
Which type of agriculture—organic or conventional—provides better responses to the demands of global nutrition? Dr. Felix Prinz zu Löwenstein, an advocate of organic farming, talks about technological progress in agriculture, sustainable agricultural policy, and the true cost of a roast chicken
Opinion
The key is to be close to the people
The EU Policy Lab develops scenarios for the European Union’s future in order to help political leaders make the right decisions. Deputy Head Fabiana Scapolo talks about the risks of growing nationalism in the European Union, the opportunities innovation can provide—and the importance of interacting with citizens
Opinion
The key is to be close to the people
The EU Policy Lab develops scenarios for the European Union’s future in order to help political leaders make the right decisions. Deputy Head Fabiana Scapolo talks about the risks of growing nationalism in the European Union, the opportunities innovation can provide—and the importance of interacting with citizens
Interview
How we benefit from the travel
The European Space Agency ESA, just like the Americans and the Chinese, has set its sights on the moon. ESA Director General Jan Wörner talks about the race for space, environmentally friendly fuels—and the inspirational power of space travel.
Interview
How we benefit from the travel
The European Space Agency ESA, just like the Americans and the Chinese, has set its sights on the moon. ESA Director General Jan Wörner talks about the race for space, environmentally friendly fuels—and the inspirational power of space travel.
