As the circular economy takes shape, pyrolysis is viewed in the plastics sector as a promising pathway to repurpose mixed or contaminated plastic waste. In this interview, Nirav Shah, Global Director Re-refining & Re-cycling at Evonik, explains where this development stands today.
Circularity
"High-quality feedstock is essential "
As the circular economy takes shape, pyrolysis is viewed in the plastics sector as a promising pathway to repurpose mixed or contaminated plastic waste. In this interview, Nirav Shah, Global Director Re-refining & Re-cycling at Evonik, explains where this development stands today.
Circularity
Chasing a World Record — the Circular Way
The world’s fastest windsurfer, Antoine Albeau, aims to bring the speed record for wind‑powered watercraft back to the windsurfing community. To do that, he needs to reach 122 kilometers per hour. His board is built entirely from reusable materials — and at its core: Evonik’s Rohacryl.
Circularity
Chasing a World Record — the Circular Way
The world’s fastest windsurfer, Antoine Albeau, aims to bring the speed record for wind‑powered watercraft back to the windsurfing community. To do that, he needs to reach 122 kilometers per hour. His board is built entirely from reusable materials — and at its core: Evonik’s Rohacryl.
Climate Protection
Nobel Prize: The Chemical Carbon Chase
This year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry goes to three scientists from three generations and three cultural backgrounds—who are also friends. Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi played pivotal roles in developing so-called MOFs, which are linked to major hopes in the fight against climate change, among other applications.
Climate Protection
Nobel Prize: The Chemical Carbon Chase
This year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry goes to three scientists from three generations and three cultural backgrounds—who are also friends. Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi played pivotal roles in developing so-called MOFs, which are linked to major hopes in the fight against climate change, among other applications.
Climate Protection
Climate-Neutral Production of Alkoxides
With the inauguration of a state-of-the-art production facility for alkoxides on Jurong Island, Singapore, the Essen-based specialty chemicals company Evonik has taken a significant step in its global strategy. Designed to meet the highest environmental and safety standards, the facility is not only a technological showcase but also a strategic milestone for the company. The production site operates climate-neutrally in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.
Climate Protection
Climate-Neutral Production of Alkoxides
With the inauguration of a state-of-the-art production facility for alkoxides on Jurong Island, Singapore, the Essen-based specialty chemicals company Evonik has taken a significant step in its global strategy. Designed to meet the highest environmental and safety standards, the facility is not only a technological showcase but also a strategic milestone for the company. The production site operates climate-neutrally in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.
Circularity
Surfing on Polymer
An entrepreneur and passionate surfer is now making surfboards better and more environmentally compatible at the same time, while an additive from Evonik is playing a decisive role in making surfing greener
Circularity
Surfing on Polymer
An entrepreneur and passionate surfer is now making surfboards better and more environmentally compatible at the same time, while an additive from Evonik is playing a decisive role in making surfing greener
Inorganics
The Art of Protection
Art museums around the world are often housed in buildings that are architectural masterpieces, such as the Louvre in Paris, the Guggenheim Museum in New York, and the Assis Chateaubriand Museum of Art (MASP) in São Paulo. Protectosil, a building protection product from Evonik, ensures that the structures of these outstanding buildings are protected.
Inorganics
The Art of Protection
Art museums around the world are often housed in buildings that are architectural masterpieces, such as the Louvre in Paris, the Guggenheim Museum in New York, and the Assis Chateaubriand Museum of Art (MASP) in São Paulo. Protectosil, a building protection product from Evonik, ensures that the structures of these outstanding buildings are protected.
Mobility
Shield Against the Elements
Whether on the hulls of massive freighters, oil platforms, or bridges, epoxy resin coatings are indispensable for protecting metal from the destructive force of corrosion. Given the vast amounts of paint used when coating ships, rapid application and high protection are crucial.
Mobility
Shield Against the Elements
Whether on the hulls of massive freighters, oil platforms, or bridges, epoxy resin coatings are indispensable for protecting metal from the destructive force of corrosion. Given the vast amounts of paint used when coating ships, rapid application and high protection are crucial.
Biotensids
From Slovakia to new worlds
Researchers have long regarded rhamnolipids as highly gifted multi-talents. Evonik has succeeded for the first time in the world in producing these substances on a biological basis on a large scale. This breakthrough paves the way for a number of sustainable innovations.
Biotensids
From Slovakia to new worlds
Researchers have long regarded rhamnolipids as highly gifted multi-talents. Evonik has succeeded for the first time in the world in producing these substances on a biological basis on a large scale. This breakthrough paves the way for a number of sustainable innovations.
Pharma
A Better Catch
Squalene enhances the effect of pharmaceutical products and plays an important role in research into new therapies. Until now this raw material was primarily extracted from shark livers. Evonik is now presenting an alternative product made from amaranth oil
Pharma
A Better Catch
Squalene enhances the effect of pharmaceutical products and plays an important role in research into new therapies. Until now this raw material was primarily extracted from shark livers. Evonik is now presenting an alternative product made from amaranth oil
Interview
The goals must be measurable
Ecosystems are under threat all over the world. But Katrin Böhning-Gaese, the director of the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, believes that a turnaround is possible - under strict conditions
Interview
The goals must be measurable
Ecosystems are under threat all over the world. But Katrin Böhning-Gaese, the director of the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, believes that a turnaround is possible - under strict conditions
Energy Transition
Ultrapure gases from slurry and manure
Trash, manure, and wastewater have lots of potential. The biogas extracted from them with the help of high-performance membranes from Evonik provides energy carriers and valuable raw materials for industry. A plant in the South Tyrol shows on a small scale how a problem can become a profitable solution for everyone involved
Energy Transition
Ultrapure gases from slurry and manure
Trash, manure, and wastewater have lots of potential. The biogas extracted from them with the help of high-performance membranes from Evonik provides energy carriers and valuable raw materials for industry. A plant in the South Tyrol shows on a small scale how a problem can become a profitable solution for everyone involved
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
Circularity
A new direction for Lithium recycling
The aim of expanding electric mobility is to help save the climate. Nonetheless, the extraction of the lithium that is needed for this effort is leaving highly visible tracks on the earth. Recycling this raw material, which is crucial for battery production, is mitigating this strain on the environment. High-performance membranes from Evonik could soon be at the center of this trend
Circularity
A new direction for Lithium recycling
The aim of expanding electric mobility is to help save the climate. Nonetheless, the extraction of the lithium that is needed for this effort is leaving highly visible tracks on the earth. Recycling this raw material, which is crucial for battery production, is mitigating this strain on the environment. High-performance membranes from Evonik could soon be at the center of this trend
Energy Transition
Ocean Giants: Wind of Change
Huge offshore wind turbines are scheduled to spur the energy transition worldwide. Materials from Evonik are opening up new dimensions of electricity generation
Energy Transition
Ocean Giants: Wind of Change
Huge offshore wind turbines are scheduled to spur the energy transition worldwide. Materials from Evonik are opening up new dimensions of electricity generation
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
Biotensids
Sweet and Clean
Biosurfactants that are produced by the fermentation of sugar
are in demand for the manufacture of cosmetics and detergents.
Biotensids
Sweet and Clean
Biosurfactants that are produced by the fermentation of sugar
are in demand for the manufacture of cosmetics and detergents.
Circularity
Tire Test
More than half of all vehicle tires worldwide are eventually disposed of in landfills or incinerated. However, it would be much better if the old rubber could be reused in road construction. Special additives make the resulting asphalt more durable and environmentally friendly. A life cycle assessment confirms this with data
Circularity
Tire Test
More than half of all vehicle tires worldwide are eventually disposed of in landfills or incinerated. However, it would be much better if the old rubber could be reused in road construction. Special additives make the resulting asphalt more durable and environmentally friendly. A life cycle assessment confirms this with data
Biotensids
Sustainable hygiene
Without surfactants, dishwashing detergents, shower gels, and shampoos would be ineffective. In cooperation with Unilever, Evonik has now developed an especially efficient surfactant based on rhamnolipids. It comes from biological sources and is completely biodegradable. According to the experts, there is a huge demand in emerging economies in particular
Biotensids
Sustainable hygiene
Without surfactants, dishwashing detergents, shower gels, and shampoos would be ineffective. In cooperation with Unilever, Evonik has now developed an especially efficient surfactant based on rhamnolipids. It comes from biological sources and is completely biodegradable. According to the experts, there is a huge demand in emerging economies in particular
Interview
The potential of biosurfactants
The Unilever expert Bert Nijhuis explains what consumers expect in a dishwashing detergent—and why Chile is the perfect test market for the biosurfactants jointly developed by Unilever and Evonik
Interview
The potential of biosurfactants
The Unilever expert Bert Nijhuis explains what consumers expect in a dishwashing detergent—and why Chile is the perfect test market for the biosurfactants jointly developed by Unilever and Evonik
