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Elements

Patrick Stenner explains the pilot plant

Using electrodialysis, salts generated in many chemical processes can be separated and converted back into their valuable feedstocks. Expert Patrik Stenner demonstrates the pilot plant in Hanau.

## US-English (polished) Evonik aims to scale up electrodialysis for industrial use. Electrodialysis can separate salts generated in many chemical processes and convert them back into their valuable feedstocks. At the pilot plant at Evonik’s Hanau site, sodium sulfate is converted via electrodialysis into caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) and sulfuric acid.

Verwandte Beiträge

An Evonik employee turns a valve wheel.
Metall & Machines

Key Material for Our Daily Lives

With a new facility in Yokkaichi, Evonik is supplying key materials for batteries, coatings, and high-tech applications—setting new standards for sustainable production.

A world map with markers that link to image galleries.
Evonik Country

Evonik International

Evonik is present in more than 100 countries around the world. Here, we introduce some of them, showcase typical scenes, and explain what Evonik has to do with them.

Logo of the 30th World Climate Conference in Belém, Brazil
Interview

"Climate change mitigation must be fun"

Climate change mitigation and nature conservation are currently having a hard time: The economy is weakening, the geopolitical situation is fragile, and major players such as the United States are pulling back. Climate researcher Mojib Latif and conservationist Myriam Rapior discuss the consequences for global warming and biodiversity loss

Diagram of PA12 production
Polyamide

Retained profit

Evonik has made one of its most important products—polyamide 12 (PA12)—particularly sustainable. Customers can choose between different levels of sustainability depending on the energy and raw material mix used in production. The mass balance approach makes this possible

A female hand holds a pink ribbon in remembrance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
Implants

Biological Innovation in Breast Reconstruction

When women undergo breast cancer surgery, many opt for silicone implants afterward. In the future, structures made from the bioresorbable polymer Resomer could support natural healing and replace lost tissue through natural cell growth.

Three students are sitting on a green lawn on the campus of Ruhr University Bochum., Germany
Climate Protection

CO₂ as a Raw Material for Sustainable Chemistry

Evonik, the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis (LIKAT), and Ruhr University Bochum have discovered a way to directly convert CO₂ into essential raw materials for the chemical industry.

A scientist and a humanoid robot are discussing in front of a screen.
Artificial Intelligence

On Good Terms with AI

Sometimes researchers come up against their limits. Experiments are too complex—there are too many possibilities, and that prevents them from reaching the goal quickly and efficiently. In cases like these, artificial intelligence can get a project moving again. At Evonik, AIChemBuddy supports its human colleagues with advice and provides space for new inspiration

An Evonik employee wearing a helmet and safety glasses looks through a round viewing window.
Circularity

As Good as New

It is impossible to imagine our world without plastic. In order to conserve fossil resources and reduce waste, the circular economy is bringing about a paradigm shift. Recycling is already being taken into account in the design and manufacture of new products. To speed up this process, Evonik is working with partners to develop new solutions. Its motto is “Design for Circularity”

A pair of sunglasses against an orange background
Polyamide

Invisibly green

Polyamide 12 makes products more robust, more durable—and more sustainable. Evonik produces this high-performance polymer in various sustainability levels. The customer decides how much the climate benefits. The inner values of the material always remain the same

A gutted salmon on ice cubes
Clean Water

Grease the Fish: Silica Particles Make Aquaculture More Efficient

Salmon, trout, and other fish are appearing more frequently on menus around the world. To make their farming even more sustainable and efficient, Evonik’s silica products are being applied in new ways within aquaculture feed production.

Control panel with vertical sliders for CO2, air, water, energy, transport, and recycling, each with a scale. Above it, there is a digital display showing the letters 'L C A' and an Evonik logo.
Sustainability

Sustainability at the Push of a Button

Evonik has found a way to automate the creation of life cycle assessments (LCAs). This new digital process delivers reliable data on CO₂ emissions, water consumption, and other environmental factors—faster, more consistently, and at scale. A behind-the-scenes look at a complex yet crucial step toward a more sustainable industry.

Saeed Mardi stands with arms crossed, wearing a lab coat, gloves, and safety goggles in a chemistry laboratory.
Good to Know

Flexible energy storage

How will mobile, portable devices get their power in the future?

Satellite image of Singapore.
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.

Two scientists stand with their arms crossed next to fabric samples. They are smiling at the camera.
Sustainable Feedstocks

Don’t burn, recycle

Viennese scientists use a quantum light source for sustainable gas production from biomass

Yellow balloon dogs made of foam
Circularity

The stuff that foams are made of

Landfills are a thing of the past: US researchers are developing a recyclable foam alternative

Franziska Kerber is standing in front of a shelf filled with car design models and is turning a press in front of her.
Circularity

Housing made of paper

“My concept is based on paper fibers that are biodegradable and recyclable”

Zwei Frauen mit Körben auf dem Kopf vor einem Affenbrotbaum. Von hinten scheint die Sonne ins Bild, es sind fast nur Konturen zu erkennen.
Sustainability

Living Wall

The baobab tree creates employment opportunities and acts as a barrier against desertification.

A woman with long, tied-back dark hair. A globe is painted on her face, depicting continents and oceans. The background is neutral gray, and her shoulders are bare.
Care & Cosmetics

Ahead of the Trend

Long before sustainability became a societal trend, Evonik introduced the first enzymatically produced emollients to the market. Today, they are in high demand in the cosmetics industry.

A person wearing a gray work uniform with yellow reflective strips and a white safety helmet featuring the Evonik logo is working on an outdoor industrial facility. The person is holding a tablet in one hand and operating a valve or device on a pipeline with multiple fittings using the other hand. In the background, green trees, blur effects, and construction fencing are visible.
Hydrogen

Turn on the hydrogen

Hydrogen is considered the fuel of a green economy. Investments are rising rapidly.

Graphic: A man takes a tablet. The position of the large intestine is marked on his body.
Pharma

For the sensitive

Until now, many modern therapeutics could only be administered by injection, which is less convenient than taking them orally. Eudracap colon is the first capsule that changes this, releasing sensitive contents specifically in the colon, where they are most effective

A cube made of colorful balls. Additional balls are added from three glass tubes."
Processes

Engineering the perfect mix

For a product to develop its optimum effect at the point of use, many skill sets are required—from material and process selection to shelf life and customer applicability. Process technology plays an important role here

A humanoid robot with a woman's head is standing in a long hallway full of technical equipment.
Foresight

Muscles not motors

Robots with skin surfaces? Game controllers made of cellulose? Biohybrid materials—created from the fusion of biological and non-biological components—could make this possible in the future and herald the age of a completely new class of materials

The flags of the US, the EU, and China are painted on a wall, the colors flaking off slightly.
Interview

“Things Don’t Look Bad for Europe”

Compared to Chinese competitors, European companies often find it difficult to bring innovations to market quickly. Jörg Wuttke, long-standing head of the European Chamber of Commerce in Beijing, explains how European companies can catch up—and why Europe can benefit from the discord between China and the USA

Andreas Vorholt and Lisa Steinwachs are standing in a bright laboratory, both wearing lab coats and safety goggles, and talking to each other.
Climate Protection

Fragrances from greenhouse gases

The chemical industry is gradually moving away from fossil raw materials. However, the transition to alternative sources poses huge challenges for the industry. In the Power2ValueChemicals project, Evonik is working with partners to test how carbon dioxide can be used for the production of fragrances

A surfer performs a 180-degree turn on a wave about 3 meters high.
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

Skyline of Seoul with the Seoul Tower.
Evonik Country

South Korea: Asian trendsetter

The Republic of Korea has a long and tumultuous history. Today, it has evolved into a modern industrial nation with a high pace of innovation. In this dynamic environment, innovative products and solutions from Evonik are in high demand.

A gold-glimmering roll on a white production axis.
Hydrogen

Important Role for Green Hydrogen

An anion exchange membrane enables the cost-effective and flexible production of green hydrogen. Evonik has developed such a membrane and will produce it in a pilot plant in Marl in the future.

An AI-generated image showing a stack of mattresses reaching up to a satellite in space.
Circularity

New Life for Old Mattresses

A collaboration between the Vita Group and Evonik is paving the way for the production of polyurethane mattresses made from recycled materials, an innovation that has recently garnered industry recognition.

A washing machine drum with colored laundry.
Consumables

Good Scent, Good Feel, Good for the Environment

Tony Liu and his team have developed a transparent fabric softener for the Asian market that eliminates the use of solvents. After intensive research and development, they achieved a breakthrough: a particularly eco-friendly and cost-effective product.

The right forearm of a female athlete wearing a smartwatch against a reddish background.
Good to Know

Human charging

Thanks to a thermoelectric generator, smartwatches could be powered by body heat in the future

A calendar with the number 7 on it.
Good to Know

7 days without frost

7 days: That’s how long surfaces remain frost-free if they have been coated with a new type of coating.

Thorsten Schumm holds a large analog stopwatch in his right hand and laughs. Thorsten Schumm holds a test tube containing a tiny amount of green liquid in his hand.
In my Element

"We want to build the most accurate clock in the world"

Time is no longer measured solely in human dimensions. Atomic clocks control and regulate time more accurately than humans ever could. The Vienna University of Technology now wants to go one step further and base clocks on the atomic nucleus.

Two high-rise buildings stand side by side. The one on the left is taller, has a slightly flatter extension, and features a façade made of different colored wooden panels.
Nachhaltigkeit

New Heights in Timber Construction

The building material wood has many advantages and causes fewer greenhouse gases than steel and concrete. Evonik is now launching an innovative product for bonding hardwoods

Aerial view of the site, with buildings at the edges and a clear area in the center.
Soil Protection

Regaining Ground

Housing is now being built in many places where factories or barracks once stood. However, cleaning contaminated sites is time-consuming and expensive. Various substances from Evonik convert pollutants in the ground into harmless products or bind them in place—and offer a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional remediation methods

A road sign in front of a traffic light showing green, with a yield sign attached. On the sign, which features a right-pointing arrow, it says: E-Mobility.
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

Electric car driving on country road in front of wind turbines, with the continents depicted as blue silhouettes.
Mobility

Rules for electric traffic

Electric mobility is picking up speed worldwide. Governments rely on various regulatory measures to manage their markets and drive the transition to sustainable transportation solutions

A hand in a blue rubber glove holds an empty Petri dish.
Energy Transition

Solid Energy

Researchers are working hard to create more powerful batteries for electric mobility. Solid-state batteries are one approach because they enable significantly extended range and are safer. Evonik has developed a building block for polymer electrolytes that could overcome the disadvantages of existing solid-state batteries

The ruins of Tulum overlooking the Caribbean Sea on the Riviera Maya (the coastal area of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico). The ruins are located on a cliff, with a palm tree in front, the turquoise blue sea and a sandy beach to the right.
Evonik Country

Mexico: Fair to sunny

What’s the secret behind Mexico’s appeal? The combination of a lively culture and a favorable climate—factors that also have an economic impact. The country between the USA and Central America is experiencing rapid technological and industrial development. Evonik is supporting this upswing with innovative products and solutions

A bundle of one hundred US dollar bills
Good to Know

That’s better: Sustainable greenbacks

Investment in climate-friendly technologies has been rising for years.

Shredded circuit boards
Good to Know

Good Question: Is electronic waste a goldmine?

Amin Zadehnazari is a postdoctoral researcher at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York (USA).

Aerial view of Cambridge University
Good to Know

Electrical impulses combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria

People & Visions: Electric plaster combats wound infections

Guillaume Climeau talks with Bernd Kaltwaßer
Care & Cosmetics

“We share the same vision”

L’Oréal is the world’s leading cosmetics manufacturer. Guillaume Climeau, the company’s Head of Business Development and Alliance Management for R&I Open Innovation, explains what sustainability and the tripartite collaboration with Abolis and Evonik mean for L’Oréal.

Two female hands open a cream jar from the left. A woman's hand takes something out of the jar from the right with one finger.
Care & Cosmetics

Cultivating relationships

Cosmetics don’t just make us look and feel good, they are increasingly eco-friendly too. Through innovation, partnerships and acquisitions, Evonik is reinforcing its focus on biobased ingredients and sustainable production. Now, with beauty giant L’Oréal, the company has invested in the French startup Abolis, which uses biotechnology to produces molecules for care products.

Portrait of a woman, her face partially covered by a green leaf.
Care & Cosmetics

No-cow-Know-how: Vegan Collagen

The market for vegan cosmetics is growing. Evonik now offers a collagen that is free of animal-based raw materials but still corresponds to the natural collagen of human skin.

A gloved hand holds up an ampoule labeled “cancer vaccine”
SDG

Fighting Cancer

One of the great hopes of cancer research is mRNA. With its help, it should be possible to fight cancer in a much more targeted way.

A futuristic vehicle travels between two bridges in a large city.
Mobility

Traveling Green

To turn the vision of climate-neutral mobility into reality, alternative drive concepts, new materials, and advanced construction processes are necessary. Chemistry paves the way to get there.

The art museum in São Paulo seen from above. In front of it an eight-lane road.
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.

A large pile of plastic PET bottles, compressed and ready for recycling.
Circularity

Plastic from Oil - Oil from Plastic

The global production of plastic has been continuously increasing for decades. It's high time to bring these products back into the cycle. Flow improvers from Evonik support chemical recycling in this endeavor.

A transport drone flies over a big city.
Foresight

Flying free

A gift from on high: The low-altitude economy may make deliveries by air a reality. In just a few years, drones could complement delivery vans, cargo planes, and helicopters. Tests for unmanned aerial transport solutions are in full swing

A production facility featuring a tall column and numerous pipe connections.
Digitalization

Digital Fitness

A digitalization project in the production of Polyvest at Evonik in Marl enhanced plant efficiency, reduced costs, increased productivity, and lowered carbon dioxide emissions.

A Ghanaian woman stands in front of a wide trunk of a baobab tree. She is carrying a basket on her head and smiling at the camera.
Biosolutions

Benefiting from the Tree of Life

The fruit of the African baobab tree serves as an important source of income for the local population and provides broad benefits beyond Africa—as a superfood and as an ingredient in skin and hair care products.

Gallium splatter
In my Element

"Gallium Melts in Your Hand"

Marcel Häfele is a YouTuber who focuses on chemistry and other natural sciences. He is particularly fascinated by the properties of gallium.

The lower part of the bow of a container ship.
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.

Slightly reddish algae oil being poured into a glass.
Nutrition

New Source of Natural Nutrients

Veramaris' algae oil is a sustainable source of valuable omega-3 fatty acids. Initially, several hurdles had to be overcome. However, the team was not discouraged by these challenges. Today, Veramaris is one of the fastest-growing biosolutions at Evonik.

symbol picture Wasserstoff
In my Element

Hydrogen from the biorefinery

At the Evonik site in Rheinfelden, on the border with Switzerland, hydrogen is produced in an unconventional way.

Four employees are standing on a storage container and waving.
Sustainable Feedstocks

A Catalyst for a Greener Future

Nestled near Rosario, Argentina, Evonik’s Puerto General San Martín site stands as a beacon of sustainability in the biodiesel industry. This facility, dedicated to the production of sodium methylate, plays a crucial role in transforming natural raw materials into biodiesel—a cleaner, renewable alternative to conventional diesel.

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Artificial Intelligence

Nobel Prizes: From research to application

A look at the chemical industry shows how the groundbreaking basic research of Nobel Prize winners paves the way for innovations that change people's lives for the better.

A rotary dial telephone and a smartphone next to each other.
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

Dinosaurs stare at a burning aseroid falling from the sky.
In my Element

The element from outer space

Iridium probably came to Earth through asteroid impacts. Today, it is in great demand for the production of green hydrogen. Zahra Nasri explains why.

A humanoid robot mops the floor in a kitchen.
Foresight

Humans and Humanoids

High-tech assistants who stand at our side to serve us and fulfill every task quickly and without complaint—this fiction could soon become a reality. The age of humanoid robots has begun

The three Giza pyramids in front of a blue sky
Evonik Country

Egypt: A land with a remarkable sense of purpose

Egypt’s historic heritage captivates people from all over the world—largely because it leaves many questions open, such as those concerning the construction of the pyramids. But one thing is clear: The Egyptians are characterized by a remarkable sense of purpose, whether they’re constructing a canal cutting straight through the country or erecting a new metropolis. Evonik too is firmly established in this environment

A cross-section of a membrane unit: thousands of fiber ends can be seen.
SDG

Fibers for Future

Evonik's hollow fiber membranes turn mixed gases into pure raw materials, such as biogas into biomethane and biocarbonic acid of the highest purity.

Portrait Siegfried R. Waldvogel
Interview

“It works—and it pays off”

Today, most chemical processes function with the help of a chemical catalyst. In the future, progress in the field of electrochemistry could increasingly make electricity alone sufficient to power a chemical reaction, says Professor Siegfried R. Waldvogel from the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion

Running smoothly: Ph.D. student Vera Beier tests the electrodialysis circuits in the pilot plant
Energy Transition

Under Power

Expensive energy sources and raw materials as well as stricter requirements for climate change mitigation require new processes for the production of chemicals. Evonik is therefore exploring ways to make greater use of electrochemical processes and products—and has set up a platform specifically for this purpose

Various bacteria and pathogens on a human hand, the microbiota of the skin - 3d illustration
Microbiome

Ready to Wear

The surface of our body is home to a large number of microorganisms that are beneficial to our health. Cosmetics should not disturb the natural microbiome of the skin. For this reason, a team at Evonik led by microbiologist Stefan Pelzer has developed a model that can be used to test important ingredients

Graphic Skin Micobiome
Microbiome

Microbe Billionaire

Billions and billions of microbes live on our skin and keep it healthy. Our diagram shows them on a large scale.

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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.

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Chart

My little server farm

Our diagram shows the opportunities that digitalization in agriculture already offers today.

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Additives

Precision Product

In many parts of the world, crop protection agents will be spread by drones in the future. The new technology places special demands on the spray mixture. Evonik has found a formulation that prevents unwanted drift and distributes the active ingredients as well as possible on leaves

A detailed view of the intricate and branching root system of a plant
Foresight

Metal Harvest

Many valuable raw materials cannot be extracted from the ground by means of traditional methods. However, plants could help us extract metals and rare earths in a new way. The age of agromining is dawning

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Evonik Country

Japan: Roots and resilience

Japan is a highly developed industrial nation. But elements of the country’s rich cultural heritage are firmly anchored even in the midst of its bustling major cities. Whether it’s comics, cuisine or stagecraft, this island nation on the rim of the Pacific Ocean knows how to integrate tradition into modern life

A 3D-rendered image: it shows tomatoes in a greenhouse. Underneath are pipes through which data is also symbolically flowing.
Clean Water

Clean cultivation

Sustainable food production needs new forms of cultivation that use less land and water and require as few pesticides as possible. Evonik is helping to make this possible—with environmentally friendly chemistry and digital technology

Model of a self-propelled field sprayer
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

Modern cowshed
Data Mining

World market for animal feed

Where does the soy come from, what ends up in the feed trough? Our data mining provides information.

Graphic animal nutrition using the example of soy
Methionine

Feed analysis: Bon appétit

Modern compound feed has to fulfill many requirements. Not only must it provide animals with healthy nutrition and minimize the excretion of nitrogen—its production should also consume as few raw materials as possible. Evonik’s feed analyses and essential amino acids are making an important contribution to sustainable animal husbandry.

A service ship is moored at sea next to tall wind turbines under construction.
SDG

We are powered by Wind

Evonik not only produces many materials for wind turbines, but is also increasingly converting its own energy supply from fossil fuels to renewable energy from offshore wind farms. The goal is to achieve production without carbon dioxide emissions.

MACBETH in Marl
Sustainability

MACBETH heralds a Revolution in the Chemical Industry

The future of chemistry is green. It is also 7.5 meters high, 6 meters wide and weighs tons. It is on display at the Marl Chemical Park.

Two Evonik employees in the Digester hall for rhamnolipid production in Slovenská Ľupča, Slovakia
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.

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Medtech

Close to the bone

PEEK is an important material in the medical device industry. Together with an ambitious inventor and entrepreneur, Evonik has developed a variant of the thermoplastic that allows the manufacturing of 3D-printed implants that could improve the health of patients

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In my Element

“Without sulfur there would be no life”

The exhalations of a volcano are suffocating, acrid, and sulfurous. We can get a sense of what this smell is like during breakfast. When we crack a boiled egg open, an amino acid containing sulfur is released.

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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

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Mobility

Turning with the times

Numerous elements in cars are already made of plastic. However, steel has been used for transmission components up to now. The Technical University of Munich now wants to create a new application - gear wheels made of high-performance polymer - and thus help to drive forward the transformation of urban mobility

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Foresight

The odd couple

Although identical twins are genetically identical, they develop in dissimilar ways. Epigenetics researchers investigate why this is so – and thus develop approaches for healing genetic diseases

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Chart

From head to toe

High-performance plastics or biosynthetic materials are indispensable for many medical applications. They can be formed into a variety of shapes, are robust or biodegradable depending on the intended use and are compatible with the human organism. An overview of the possible applications for medical products

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Opinion

Innovation needs open hearts and open borders

Research and development thrive on international cooperation, because the major problems of our time call for global answers. Those who rely on national isolation and exclusion are endangering our future as a hub for innovation

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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

Header
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

Round pond from above, Fanal, Madeira, Portugal
SDG

Clean and stay clean

Clean water is a human right. Evonik has developed a bio-based surfactant that is suitable for use in cleaning agents, personal care products, and industrial applications. It is 100 percent biodegradable after use.

Warsaw Old Town, Poland
Evonik Country

Poland: An old facade, a modern heart

Poland is rich in tradition, and the companies based here have become coveted partners in many ­sectors. From precision craftsmanship in furniture manufacturing to future-oriented concepts of green energy, Poland skillfully combines its historical heritage with pioneering solutions.

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Clean Water

Evonik: Strategies for saving water

Nothing can happen at Evonik without water, which is indispensable for cooling, for example. To secure supplies and conserve resources, different strategies are used depending on the location—from rainwater retention basins in South Africa to high-tech filters in Thailand and recooling systems in Germany. A look at sustainability around the world

Dr. Andrea „Annie“ Kritcher ist Kerntechnikerin und Physikerin an der National Ignition Faculty des Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Kalifornien. Für das Experiment im Dezember 2022 hat sie die Kapsel mit dem Brennstoff aus Deuterium und Tritium entworfen.
In my Element

“I’m reaching for the stars”

Dr. Andrea “Annie” Kritcher is a nuclear engineer and physicist on the National Ignition Faculty at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. For the December 2022 experiment, she designed the capsule that contained the deuterium and tritium fuel

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Opinion

Water as a natural reaction medium

If synthetic organic chemistry is to survive, the transition from its dependence on petroleum products and organic solvents, in particular to nature’s reaction medium, water, must happen quickly

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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

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Clean Water

Unevenly distributed water

More and more often, entire regions are drying out—while other regions are being devastated by catastrophic floods. The uneven distribution of water is facing the human race with problems that were previously unimaginable. Good management and technology adapted to local needs can help in the search for a solution

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Chart

Water as a resource: distribution, costs, availability

Water is distributed extremely unequally throughout the world. Where is this resource available in abundance, and where is it scarce? Who wastes it, and who uses it sparingly? And how much does this important raw material cost? A numerical overview

Im dicht besiedelten Südkorea sind Grundstücke knapp. Vor der Hafenmetropole Busan soll jetzt eine schwimmende Stadt für 12.000 Einwohner entstehen.
Foresight

Soft water innovations

Water is the wellspring of innovation. But progress often results in additional consumption. “Soft innovations” demonstrate that this precious resource can also be used responsibly

In Memphis, im Südwesten ­Tennessees am Mississippi gelegen, wurde in den 1950er-Jahren der Rock ‘n‘ Roll geboren. Erst Ende der 1970er-Jahre begann die Stadt, ihr Abwasser aufzubereiten.
Clean Water

Peracetic acid for clean water

The City of Memphis wanted to improve the quality of its wastewater discharge to the Mississippi River. Evonik is helping with an innovative approach to disinfection

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Evonik Country

New Zealand: Cloudwarriors

Welcome to Aotearoa! In the language of New Zealand’s original inhabitants, the Māori, this name means “the land of the long white cloud”— a reference to a special cloud formation that is said to have guided Polynesian seafarers here a long time ago. This island group in the Pacific Ocean features a breathtaking natural environment that has a spiritual meaning for the Maōri and also shapes the country’s economy.

An Evonik employee takes a water sample from a wastewater shaft.
Clean Water

Everything flows

It flows and flows and flows: Where Evonik gets the water it needs in order to operate its facilities, and how this water is channeled back

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Data Mining

mRNA technology: Facts and figures

mRNA technologies are revolutionizing medicine. Which diseases are they aimed at? How quickly are the new therapies coming along? And how do the innovative active ingredients enter the body? A numerical overview

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Lipid Nanoparticles

rPEG lipids: Risk-free delivery

From coronavirus vaccines to medicines for cancer, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease—the applications for mRNA therapies are numerous and diverse. But how can the fragile RNA be delivered into cells effectively? A team of researchers from the University of Mainz in Germany and Evonik is working jointly to develop the perfect delivery system

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Interview

Lipid nanoparticles for the medicine of the future

Dr. Andrea Engel, who is responsible for growth projects at Evonik’s Health Care business line, talks about the significance of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for the mRNA active ingredients of the future

Ferdi Schüth, 62, ist seit 1998 Direktor am Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung in Mülheim an der Ruhr. Von Juni 2014 bis Juni 2020 war der Chemiker Vizepräsident der MaxPlanck-Gesellschaft, für die er Energiethemen repräsentiert. Bereits 2007 koordinierte Schüth innerhalb der deutschen Chemieorganisationen ein Positionspapier, das die Bedeutung der Branche für die Energieversorgung und eine effiziente Energieverwendung aufzeigt.
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

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Climate Protection

Climate-friendly methionine from Singapore

The amino acid methionine enhances the sustainability of livestock farming. Evonik is now using an extension of its production facilities in Singapore to also significantly reduce the CO₂ footprint of this animal feed additive

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Foresight

Are phages the new antibiotics?

How can harmful bacteria be combated when antibiotics are powerless? The bacteriaeating viruses known as phages have the potential to save countless human lives. This therapy has actually been well known for a long time, but the knowledge was lost in the West after World War II. It could become very important for a healthy future

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Chart

Herne plans to be climate-friendly

Solar power, green hydrogen, carbon dioxide from exhaust gases—energy and raw materials must increasingly be obtained from non-fossil sources in order to make chemical production more climate-friendly. This is an overview of the plans for Evonik’s Herne location

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In my Element

“We are closing regional cycles”

Tim Bunthoff is a project engineer at the Gelsenkirchen-based infrastructure company Gelsenwasser, where he is head of the department responsible for sewage sludge recovery.

A vineyard and grapevines in the mountains.
Evonik Country

France: Knowing what's good

The lifestyle in France is often referred to as “savoir-vivre.” But France has even more to offer besides fine cuisine, exquisite fashion, and great art. Evonik’s operations in France are similarly multifaceted. They range from innovations in the field of healthcare to the production of natural skin products, developments for the petroleum industry, and more sustainable solutions for future-oriented sectors.

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Climate Protection

A green transformation for the chemical industry

There are many ways to make chemical production sustainable. One of these ways is to convert not only the big reactors but also just about everything around them. Managing raw materials, energy or waste flows smartly can be the key to a green future. Evonik wants to demonstrate this with its Herne Green Deal. A site visit

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Technology

The chip industry in figures

Production stoppages, cost explosions, supply bottlenecks—when things don’t run smoothly in the semiconductor industry, the global economy suffers. Here’s an overview of the major players in the chip world, price trends, and prospects for the future

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Technology

Chemistry is expanding the chip industry

Microchips are scarce worldwide, and manufacturers are working to create large new production facilities. Evonik is helping industry achieve its goals by supplying it with high-class silanes and hydrogen peroxide

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Technology

Turning CO₂ into valuable chemicals

Although the word “plasma” might make one think of science fiction, it may very soon be possible to produce chemicals with such electrified gases. A research group coordinated by Evonik is working on the concrete implementation of this idea

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Foresight

What happens when there are no more bees?

Without bees and other insects that pollinate blossoms, agriculture would be in deep trouble. Because insect populations are steadily decreasing, scientists are actively searching for technical alternatives that can support plant pollination

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Energy Transition

High-performance membrane produces valuable gases

Methane and carbon dioxide are important starting materials for chemical processes. High-performance membranes allow them to be extracted in high purity from biogas, which is available in large quantities

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In my Element

“When you're free-diving, your strength comes from serenity”

Herbert Nitsch is one of the most successful freedivers. He has set 32 world records in all eight international apnea disciplines.

Im Südtiroler Wipptal wird seit 2017 Biogas produziert. Das daraus gewonnene Biomethan dient in verflüssigter Form den Lkw mehrerer lokaler Speditionen als Treibstoff.
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

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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

In the foreground dunes, in the background the skyscrapers of Dubai as silhouettes
Evonik Country

UAE: Future meets desert

Gigantic sand dunes, ultramodern cities, and a long coastline are the outstand-ing characteristics of the United Arab Emirates. Taken together, the seven emirates are a major center of global trade and continuous progress. A photographic journey through a country that in many ways is ahead of its time

Enzyme meets polymer: Infinitec combines both to create effective active ingredient carrier systems.
Care & Cosmetics

Under the Skin

The Evonik company Infinitec develops innovative carrier systems that stabilize active ingredients in cosmetic products and transport them precisely into skin cells. Not only “Trojan horses” are used, but also precious materials such as diamond dust and platinum.

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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

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Resource Efficiency

Creating sustainable artifical leather

Artificial leather spares animals and can also benefit the environment. Thanks to modern chemistry, both benefits can be achieved without sacrificing quality. Evonik is developing solutions that make the production of leather substitutes even more sustainable

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In my Element

"Helium is our ‘draft animal’"

Dr. Ruud Dirksen is a physicist who works at the DWD’s Lindenberg Meteorological Observatory, which has been studying the vertical structure of the atmosphere since 1905. A native of the Netherlands, Dirksen heads the observatory’s on-site radiosonde team

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Evonik Country

Singapore: A spectacular city-state

Two hundred years ago, Singapore was a fishing village. Today it’s a thriving metropolis with nearly six millions inhabitants. Strategically located in the heart of Southeast Asia, Singapore lies at the crossroads of the region’s major shipping and aviation routes, and is known as one of the most technologically advanced and greenest cities in the world.

Water in the desert: The Atacama salt flats in northern Chile with their gigantic saline pools harbor one of the world’s largest lithium deposits
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

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Foresight

Forever young

In the future, will we be able to add a few months or even years to our lives by simply changing our diets? That may well be possible. The search for effective anti-aging dietary supplements has revealed some promising candidates.

Salt mountains on the Salar de Uyuni
Data Mining

The lithium market

The global market for lithium-based batteries is growing faster and faster, making the light metal a sought-after commodity.

A close-up aerial view of a wind turbine at sea.
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

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Evonik Country

Belgium: An anchorage for traditions

Belgium is a meeting point for politicians, businesspeople, and tourists from all over the world—not only because of its delicious pralines. It’s impressive because of its trilingual culture, its historical cities, and its function as the center of European politics. Belgium may be small, but its time-honored traditions combined with its openness to the world give it unique perspectives

Graphical montage of a brain and an optimized chemical plant.
3D Printing

A Smart Solution

How can chemical reactions be carried out as sustainably and efficiently as possible? A team from Evonik is researching this question in cooperation with external partners and taking advantage of the possibilities of 3D printing

A globe with a protective shield
Foresight

Push-Button Rain

Precipitation by means of electroshocks? Algae that bind carbon dioxide and serve as the basis for fuels? Scientists are now extensively researching a variety of geoengineering technologies that could be vital for humanity’s survival

Indium
In my Element

"We need a large enough quantity to recycle indium"

Dr. Daniel Goldmann expects demand for the element to increase.

A watercolor-style drawing shows crude oil, plastic shoes and an empty plastic bottle.
Sustainability

It's all about Carbon

For the chemical industry, the carbon atom is irreplaceable—but the fossil sources of carbon are not. Renewable carbon is being utilized more and more, and its proportion in products can now be precisely measured

Photovoltaic power plant with wind turbines (AI-generated image)
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

It’s no exaggeration to say that the recycling project that Annegret Terheiden and Michael Ferenz are working on could soon prevent thousands of tons of waste
Circularity

The Dream of Foam

Evonik has developed an innovative method for recycling foam mattresses. The new process achieves a very high yield saving a lot of energy and fossil raw materials. The aim is now to build a pilot plant.

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Facts & Figures

Small reactor, big performance

New manufacturing processes allow the construction of small reactors that enable a major leap in sustainable production.

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Biotechnology

"Sustainability guides all our business decisions"

Evonik strategist Thomas Satzinger talks about how acquisitions underpin innovation and value creation

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Circularity

Used catalysts for the energy transition

A new technology could help transform the energy industry and contribute to a circular economy. Invented by Porocel—now part of Evonik—this technology reduces waste and greenhouse gas emissions by rejuvenating catalysts for a broad range of oil refining applications. Biofuels might be next.

Dr. Bernhard Schmid is in a natural wood area
In my Element

“Carbon is the foundation of life”

Dr. Bernhard Schmid is a professor of plant science at the University of Zurich. In his research he investigates the biodiversity of forests. The photograph was taken in the Sihlwald Nature Discovery Park near Zurich.

A sponge in water
Biotensids

Sweet and Clean

Biosurfactants that are produced by the fermentation of sugar are in demand for the manufacture of cosmetics and detergents.

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Amino Acids

Toward Climate Neutrality

The use of fermentation methods at Evonik began with the production of BIOLYS® more than 30 years ago. Bioengineers are continuously improving the productivity and reducing the carbon footprint of this production process

A chip with a methylome analysis
Biotechnology

The Patterns of the Genes

How do environmental factors influence genes? The science of epigenetics addresses this question. At Evonik, a team led by Florian Böhl has developed a process that can precisely determine the biological age of chickens

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Chart

Diagram Epigenetics

Not only the inheritance has an influence on our genes, but also our lives and those of our parents and grandparents. Our diagram shows how this happens.

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Biotechnology

Development of biotechnology

Scientists have been working on the research and use of biotechnology for centuries. A brief overview of the most important stages.

A soldier fly
Sustainable Feedstocks

On the Fly

Can maggots help to save the climate? A growing number of pioneering thinkers around the world are convinced that they can—and are working to develop sustainable products based on insects

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Foresight

The Price of Cheese

Whether it’s Gouda, Emmentaler, mozzarella or Parmesan, cheese is a food that has been eaten daily by many people for thousands of years. It’s versatile, durable, delicious, and rich in nutrients. But the way it is produced could change in the future.

Various fresh green plants in test tubes
Data Mining

Prosperity thanks to Technology

The share of biotechnology within the chemical industry has been growing for years. Here is a forecast for the years 2023 to 2040.

Various fresh green plants in test tubes
Opinion

Discuss first, then regulate!

The molecular biologist and science theorist Martina Schraudner on the need for society to reevaluate the meaning of biotechnology

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Fermentation

Strong Strains

Some coveted products cannot be produced by simply using chemical processes. In many cases, microorganisms can help. Through fermentation, microorganisms can easily bring about even complicated reactions—if the right strains are used and the process know-how is correct

Photovoltaic and wind power plants
Energy Transition

A Good Wind

Renewable energies are now a mainstay of the global economy. The diagram shows the development.

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Evonik Country

USA: Endless Opportunities

The United States of America is a pioneer regarding the major technologies of the future. It’s a country that thrives on its innovative power, coupled with the will to reinvent itself again and again. Evonik participates in shaping this continuous process of renewal at many locations

View of the Stanford campus and Hoover Tower, Palo Alto and Silicon Valley from the Stanford Dish Hills, California
Interview

What makes a good collaboration?

Andrea Engel coordinates a diverse team of scientists, technical and business experts working on the partnership with Stanford University. This is her view on cooperations in the field of R&D

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Biotechnology

Biotech Boom

Biotechnology is one of the key sciences of the 21st century. It is enabling investments in innumerable areas, making production more efficient, and helping to conserve resources. Last but not least, it is opening up huge economic opportunities

Hand of a researcher holding an ampoule with coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, in spotlight.
Polymers

Powerful Polymers

mRNA vaccines are helping to redirect the course of the pandemic, but their potential reaches way beyond COVID-19. Now Evonik has joined forces with Stanford University to develop a new polymer-based delivery tool that could carve the path for future mRNA applications

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Fermentation

From Jena to the World

In the laboratories of JeNaCell, bacteria are producing the material for a dressing that enables wounds to heal quickly and gently. This area of application is scheduled to grow further following the company’s acquisition by Evonik

Construction worker pouring wet concrete on a road construction site
Data Mining

A Popular Binder

A diagram shows where cement is produced around the world.

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Resource Efficiency

The Driving Force

A good idea is not sufficient in itself—it always needs someone who actively promotes it. Someone like Sarah Hintermayer, who resolutely drove the WallCraft project forward

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Membranes

Enter Macbeth

Until recently, catalytic membrane reactors have only been able to demonstrate their performance in laboratories, but now they are about to take the stage in a starring role

Empty light wood table top with concrete wall background.
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.

Three concrete test pieces, illuminated in blue like steles.
Resource Efficiency

Healing Walls

Concrete is the world’s most important construction material. However, it does more harm to the climate than almost any other product. Researchers all over the world are working to improve this material’s CO2 balance by optimizing its composition. For example, they are using bacteria that can seal small cracks in con- crete on their own and thus prolong the useful life of buildings

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Microbiome

Intestinal Influencers

Diagram: What role do microorganisms play in the gut and how can we positively influence them?

Modell-Kuh in einer Petrischale
Foresight

How will the Future taste?

Steaks produced in a bioreactor? Anti-aging agents for dessert? Bacteria that cure cancer? The future of nutrition offers a wide range of opportunities to enhance health and well-being that are worth exploring

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Microbiome

In Good Company

Microorganisms are essential for human digestion and many other bodily functions. Researchers at Evonik are investigating how probiotics influence the composition of the gut micro organisms inside human beings and animals

Teddy de Beer stretches out his hands.
In my Element

“And the aluminum suddenly broke”

Wolfgang “Teddy” de Beer was a child of the Ruhr area. He played 216 competitive matches for Borussia Dortmund and won many titles as a player and goalkeeping coach. Hardly anyone knew the aluminum casing as well as he did – even though he was a trained carpenter.

One of the most beautiful cities in Italy: Citta Alta of Bergamo. Lombardia, evening sunset and landscape on the old town with cathedral and clock towers
Evonik Country

Italy: Constant Change

When people think of Italy, they usually envision romantic images: the canals of Venice, the Eternal City of Rome, the landscapes of Tuscany. But Italy is more than historical architecture and the Mediterranean lifestyle. A journey through a country that relies equally on innovations and timeless qualities during times of change.

THree birches from below
Biosolutions

A NATURAL TALENT

For a long time, lignin was considered a waste product of cellulose production. This wood component was mainly burnt to generate energy. However, this natural raw material holds hidden talents—as a component of high performance polymers.

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Opinion

Closing the circle

Transformation from linear to circular will be a key part of achieving climate targets. To make it work we need cross-industry cooperation, innovation, and smart policy making, as well as a good balance between the economics, the environment, and quality of life.

Ein Reißverschluss
Foresight

Open to Mono

Most products for everyday use consist of a mix of materials. That increases their practical utility, but it makes recycling more difficult. Especially for plastics, a switch to monomaterials could make it easier to recycle products—an important step toward a circular economy

View of risiege old tire mountains from above.
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

Schafberg on Lake Wolfgangsee in Austria
Evonik Country

Austria: Toward New Horizons

It’s no coincidence that Austria is called a “Land of Mountains” in its national anthem: More than 60 percent of its national territory consists of Alpine mountain regions. Mozart’s native country is also distinguished by a rich cultural landscape, as well as companies whose innovations are propelling this republic into the future. Evonik is represented in Austria by four locations

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Circularity

Recycable Material

Products made of plastic make our lives easier and safer. However, too much plastic is still ending up in the environment. In order to solve this problem, we need better recycling systems worldwide and a genuinely circular economy. New research projects are giving us cause for hope.

Thyssenkrupp blast furnace in Duisburg at night
Climate Protection

Carbon2Chem: Raw materials from exhaust gases

Using the emissions of the steel industry to produce plastics: That’s the longterm goal of Evonik and its partners in the collaborative project Carbon2Chem. To reach this goal, they are working with higher alcohols such as ethanol—and catalysts that are being developed in Hanau.

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Data Mining

What will they become?

What happens to the plastic after it has been used?

Recycling-Symbol
Interview

Pathways to the circular economy

What properties should a material have in order to be optimally recyclable? What is the true value of plastic waste? And where do we need prohibitions? A debate about pathways toward a more sustainable plastics economy.

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Circularity

How plastic recycling works

Only a small proportion of plastic is recycled today, and there are a whole range of solutions for this.

Evonik researcher Jutta Malter and her team are working on efficient processes for PET recycling.
Circularity

Long live plastic

Chemical recycling can recover even plastics that previ- ously would have landed in an incineration plant or a landfill, depending on the country. Evonik is working to develop a process for very dirty PET—and is making it possible to recycle entirely new material flows

Hideki Kubota between his material pots.
In my Element

“The challenge of blue”

Pyrotechnicians control the shapes and colors a firework paints in the sky with its chemical composition. Copper plays a special role here.

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Pharma

Full effect

The use of therapeutic proteins is spreading worldwide. While these active ingredients promise to bring about major medical advances, some have the problem that they are quickly broken down in the human body before they can release their full therapeutic effect. This might be offset by chains of polyethylene glycol, which Evonik manufactures at pharmaceutical quality

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Pharma

Robust and fast-dissolving

Orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) make many patients’ lives easier. Innovative auxiliary materials made of calcium silicate are improving the everyday practicality of these medications—and making them even more versatile

Children and adults stand in line and receive sugar cubes with polio vaccine.
Pharma

Milestones in the history of vaccination

For more than 200 years, vaccinations have been protecting people from diseases, some of them even life-threatening. This short video highlights some particularly significant breakthroughs.

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Collagen

A versatile helper

Collagen is playing an increasingly important role in medicine. However, the use of this structural protein is increasingly subject to criticism due to its animal origin. Evonik’s successful development of a collagen platform based on fermentation is a biotechnology breakthrough that is setting new benchmarks for quality

A collagen strand
Collagen

This is collagen

Collagen is a protein that strengthens skin, bones and connective tissue and gives them elasticity. We show where it is used.

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Opinion

Expensive health?

What is high-tech medicine worth? And what’s a proper orientation mark for its price? A debate between the Brusselsbased biotech lobbyist Nathalie Moll and Dr. Carlos Correa, head of a think tank in Geneva that represents the interests of developing countries

Two gloved hands catch seeds
Soil Protection

Biopesticides – sustainable crop protection

The search for environmentally friendly solutions that also protect plants and avoid crop failures is a pressing issue for many farmers worldwide, whether they practice organic or conventional agriculture.

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Chart

An overview of vaccination methods

Vaccinations train the immune defenses against dangerous pathogens. Various processes have already been established for many decades. In the future, genetically based vaccines could join them—in the fight against the coronavirus and beyond

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Lipid Nanoparticles

Reliable Transport

High tech is coming to the fore in the struggle against viruses and bacteria. Modern vaccines transport genetic information from pathogens into target human cells in order to trigger an immune reaction there. The transportation of these “blueprints” requires tiny lipid nanoparticles of the kind that Evonik is producing in Canada

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Opinion

Progress thanks to the chemical industry

The Freiburg-based virologist Professor Hartmut Hengel talks about the prospects for the rapid development of a vaccine against the coronavirus, the advantages of RNA technology, and the role of the chemical industry in new vaccination procedures

Computer animation of a nanobot
Foresight

A SMALL INTERVENTION

Making motors from an atom? Tiny particles that carry out transportation tasks? Nanorobotics will make tremendous technical progress possible in medicine and other fields.

Tina Punzel sits on a diving board.
In my Element

“I love and hate chlorine”

The diver Tina Punzel (24) participated in the Olympic Games in Rio. Her next goal is the Olympic Games in Tokyo next year. That’s why she’s training more than four hours per day, half of them at an indoor pool.

Excursion boats are moored on a white beach in crystal-clear water. There are only a few people on the beach, behind which a forest begins.
Evonik Country

Indonesia: An Island Nation of Superlatives

Indonesia has the world’s fourth-largest population—almost 270 million, and growing rapidly. This country, which is characterized by its many volcanoes, encompasses more than 17,000 islands and has the highest biodiversity worldwide. Some insights into the world’s biggest island nation and its path to the future.

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Direct Synthesis

A fantastic shortcut

The more efficient reactions are, the more sustainable chemistry becomes. Working together with partners from the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis, a group of researchers at Evonik have recently achieved a notable feat—the direct production of the important industrial chemical adipic acid. This breakthrough was even showcased in an article in the journal Science

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Opinion

The Coronavirus crisis as an opportunity

The consequences of the coronavirus pandemic have made it necessary to reorient European economic policy. In order to cope with the crisis, we don’t need any Green Deals. Instead, we need a comprehensive Sustainable Future Deal

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Hydrogen

Hydrogen fuels hope

When it burns it only produces water, its supply is inexhaustible, and its applications are manifold: Hydrogen has what it takes to fundamentally transform our economic system. Evonik is working in many areas to help make this vision a reality

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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

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Energy Transition

The membrane is the key

Huge amounts of green hydrogen will be needed to create a sustainable economic system. As a result, Evonik is working together with partners to develop a new membrane that will make environmentally friendly water electrolysis competitive

Night view of the skyline of the central business district in Beijing, China
Evonik Country

China: Determination in Times of Crisis

A spirit of progress and innovative power have made China a growth engine of the global economy. Now that China, like almost every other country, is coping with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, these values are more important than ever

The end caps of two gas pipelines in light blue
Chart

The All-Rounder

Hydrogen is extremely versatile, which is why hydrogen from renewable energies is a raw material of the future.

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In my Element

"Iron forms the basis of my collection"

I haven’t always been passionate about chemistry. At school, I didn’t understand much of it at first.

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Foresight

The development of hygiene

We live in an era of high-performance medicine. But even today, a long and healthy life would be unthinkable without progress in the area of hygiene

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Interview

Hydrogen: the energy carrier of the future

The President of the Energy Watch Group, Hans-Josef Fell, is calling for the almost exclusive utilization of green hydrogen from renewable sources. Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, Secretary General of the industrial association Hydrogen Europe, believes this is not enough. A debate.

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Energy Transition

Stored power

Improved batteries are playing a key role in the energy transition and in sustainable mobility. Evonik is working to make energy storage systems more efficient and cost-effective. Even well-known technologies have substantial amounts of potential that is still untapped.

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3D Printing

The printed plant

Today Evonik is using 3D printing, along with other technologies, to construct its own production facilities. Metal powders are being used to build reactors and devices based on biological models. That’s good for the environment—and for cost-effectiveness.

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3D Printing

Improving patients’ quality of life

Wai Yee Yeong is a researcher in Singapore who is studying the production of human tissue with the help of bioprinters. This process could not only speed up drug tests and make animal testing unnecessary—but also revolutionize transplantation medicine.

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3D Printing

3D printing now in series production

3D printing is evolving from a niche process into a manufacturing technique for mass production. Evonik supplies customized materials for all the key technologies and is helping to promote the development of the next generation of printers

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Hydrogen Peroxide

The direct route

Evonik has developed a new process for the efficient and environmentally friendly production of propylene glycol. In cooperation with the US-based Dow company, the technology is now being brought to market maturity

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Energy Transition

Salt solar heat store

Researchers in Eindhoven, Netherlands, are working on an ingenious thermal energy storage system for use in the energy transition. The main ingredient is also found in gingerbread

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Foresight

Beyond the supercomputer

Quantum computers open up unimagined opportunities to researchers. For the first time, it might be possible to precisely simulate even complex molecules – and create completely new materials

arial view Liptsch castle
Evonik Country

Slovakia: A Young Nation with a Long Tradition

Slovakia is a small country, but its citizens are hugely enthusiastic about their homeland, including its popular sport of ice hockey, its natural landscapes, and its rebounding automotive industry

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In my Element

“Arsenic solves the riddle of hidden gold”

Arsenic is primarily known as a deadly poison, for example in the classic American film “Arsenic and Old Lace” and in Friedrich Schiller’s drama “Kabale und Liebe” (Love and Politics).

Shopping Mall in Abu Dhabi, UAE
Opinion

New directions for sustainable food production

Nutrition is one of the most important factors influencing the preservation of the natural foundations of life. In our search for effective solutions, we should proceed on a scientific basis rather than being driven by seemingly plausible opinions

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Chart

The burger of the future

Traditional hamburger patties are facing competition from alternatives made of plant-based raw materials or cultivated animal stem cells. This is how they are produced:

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Foresight

Burgers from bacteria

A burger made of hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen? The Finnish company Solar Foods plans to serve us such a creation pretty soon

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Resource Efficiency

Good inside and out

A lot of food we produce is thrown away or lost. The use of coatings and additives in packaging helps to curb the loss and waste of food

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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

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Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Small algae, big effect

Omega-3 fatty acids play a major role in the health of human organs such as the heart, the brain, and the eyes. However, more than 80 percent of people lack an adequate supply of these nutrients. Evonik aims to close this gap by tapping innovative sources—while protecting the world’s oceans

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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? Far-reaching changes will have to be made—and quickly—if a sufficient amount of healthy food is to be made available to the world’s population without putting excessive strain on the Earth’s natural resources

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Nutrition

A close look

Evonik’s precision livestock farming is bringing big data and biotech to poultry farming. The aim is ambitious: To produce meat from fewer resources while also improving animal welfare

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Nutrition

A good supplement for a healthy diet

As our society ages, the importance of a healthy lifestyle is growing. Nutritional supplements contribute toward mitigating deficiencies in our daily diet. Evonik is also developing new products in this area.

Mounted cattle herders drive a small herd along a dirt road.
Evonik Country

Argentina: Peaceful Oasis and Pulsating Heart

Between a rural idyll and urban modernity: Argentina is both a peaceful oasis and part of the pulsating heart of South America. Argentina owes its name to the fact that the first European explorers to reach this country were looking for silver, whose Latin name is argentum. Today this country is forging a golden future for itself.

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Interview

Custom-made meals

A stable blood sugar level is the key to a healthy life, says Professor Christian Sina. He’s a physician who advocates for personalized nutrition plans that are tailored to match an individual’s metabolism—yet re-quire a minimum of effort

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In my Element

“I’m a 14-year-old Chemistry Student”

Gallium is a very rare metal that already melts at 29.8 degrees Celsius.

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Opinion

We Can Provide Answers Only If We Act Together: As Europeans

The EU is a project committed to peace and prosperity in a globalized world. To keep this project alive, we must learn to talk about Europe more positively and shape the mechanisms of political decision-making more effectively

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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

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Biotechnology

Effective Tissue Repair

Our skin protects us from cold, heat, radiation, and pathogens. Injuries to the skin require a fast response. At its Tissue Engineering Project House Evonik develops innovative materials and processes to improve growth of tissue in the laboratory, which may allow the establishment of new therapies to heal human skin

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Digitalization

A new assistant for the coatings industry

COATINO™ is the first voice-controlled digital assistant for manufacturers of coating – in the future, it will make lab work much easier.

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Foresight

The world in 2040 - scenarios for the future

What tomorrow's world will look like is uncertain. Which trends will prevail, which products will be in demand? Futurologists use scenarios to help companies prepare for various conceivable developments and develop suitable strategies today.

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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

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Chart

Healing powers

The body can heal wounds itself. We show how this works and how science can support it.

Some of the red wooden houses stand on high stilts on the rocky cliffs of a fjord.
Evonik Country

Norway: Consistently future-oriented

Bright prospects: Norway’s success is based on valuable raw materials, a knack for innovation—and smart investment. This Scandinavian country is systematically investing its export earnings in future-oriented technologies. The Norwegian market offers Evonik numerous points of contact and attractive growth potential.

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Opinion

More efficiency for climate protection

Climate change seems to be inevitable. Nevertheless, despite many setbacks, an increase in energy efficiency is still the most viable way to limit the effects of global warming.

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Foresight

Waste plastic as a sustainable resource

Is used sports clothing a valuable raw material for new sneakers? Can discarded fishing nets be used to make ladies’ tights? Yes, all this is possible if plastic waste is recognized as a valuable and future-oriented resource.

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Membranes

Hightech Membranes from Lake Atter

There’s a long tradition of producing plastic fibers in Upper Austria. In the town of Schörfling, plastic fibers are used to make membranes that could revolutionize natural gas purification worldwide

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Clean Air

Peroxid power

Cosmetics, cleaning agents, microelectronics—hydrogen peroxide has been inspiring innovative applications in chemistry for two centuries. As a supplementary propellant for rockets, this compound of hydrogen and oxygen is now playing a major role in ensuring greener propulsion in space.

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In my Element

“How We Discovered Darmstadtium”

Nuclear physicists use known elements to create new ones. We want to understand the structure of matter, and thus to understand the development of the universe.

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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.

Satellites orbit the earth.
Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide timeline

For two centuries, hydrogen peroxide has proven itself as a driver of innovation – now even in environmentally friendly rocket engines.

Penguins on a bright beach in front of crystal clear water.
Evonik Country

South Africa: Country with many Facets

Pristine wilderness, a turbulent history, and a culture in transition: South Africa is a country with many facets The “rainbow nation” is one of the most dynamically growing economies on the African continent. It’s a promising future market for creative solutions.

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Care & Cosmetics

Green force

In Tours, France, Franck Michoux creates customized active ingredients for cosmetics by subjecting plants to brutal levels of stress. Time is of the essence: The first product must be launched on the market in November.

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Care & Cosmetics

Protecting the Skin

New active ingredients in cosmetics protect the skin from increasing environmental pollution. They boost the body’s own detoxification processes and bring the skin flora into balance.

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Pharma

HOW MEDICINE RELIABLY REACHES ITS TARGET

Liposomes transport active pharmaceutical ingredients to the target cells, while ensuring that the cargo does not break down prematurely during its journey through the body. Their use opens up new therapeutic pathways for the treatment of cancer as well as genetic and other diseases.

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In my Element

"Our molecule will make it in the textbooks"

Carbon atoms can form exactly four bonds. At least that’s what the chemistry books tell us.

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Opinion

Start-ups and Spin-offs — are Major Companies Going Extinct?

Thanks to their sophisticated and capital-intensive production processes, the established major chemical companies still seem to be protected from attackers using disruptive business models. But innovative young competitors could soon put them in jeopardy as well.

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Interview

Investment in long-term innovations

Creavis, Evonik’s innovation unit, is turning 20. Its success depends on balancing its closeness to the company against its distance from it, explains Managing Director Stefan Buchholz.

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Foresight

Smart fabrics

Pants that serve as sports trainers and jackets that detect poisons: Future-oriented researchers at Creavis are developing the textiles of tomorrow.

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Care & Cosmetics

Tomorrow`s beauty care: the cosmetcs market

The cosmetics industry is once again reinventing itself. Its business is becoming more natural, more personal, and more digital. And this transformation is going deeper than ever before.

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Data Mining

Global cosmetics

Cosmetics are considered a crisis-proof market. Here are facts about the global beauty and care products business in 2018.

Drilling rig and supply ship in the gulf
Data Mining

Talented Crude

We want to move away from this in the field of mobility, but the all-rounder that is crude oil can do even more. That is the situation in 2018.

Street scene in India, many people in colorful clothes are on foot.
Evonik Country

India: Tradition and Progress

A fascinating multiethnic country and an innovative technology location: India unites tradition and progress to an extent that few other countries can match. Evonik’s predecessor companies established footholds in India over 40 years ago. Since then, the company has continually increased its operations there. It’s an investment with a promising future.

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In my Element

My Fate Depends On Hydrogen

My most exciting balloon trip to date was from England across the North Sea and on to Finland. It’s a trip that takes you across a huge expanse of water.

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Processes

The new Formular C4

Evonik’s Performance Intermediates Business Line produces thousands of metric tons of in-demand industrial chemicals every day. Thanks to a special purification process, the Group is the only company worldwide that can use a very special material— FCC-C4—from refineries as feedstock for this production. The researchers who developed the process have now been awarded the Evonik Innovation Prize for their work

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Foresight

Cadmium and Nickel fresh from the field

Harvesting nickel? Extracting cadmium from contaminated soil with a simple ecological trick? Certain plants can do this. They could simplify land remediation and metal extraction. That’s why researchers are very excited

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Consumables

Better than Real

The market of artificial leather is booming, but its production is currently not very sustainable. Researchers have developed an additive that paves the way for environmentally friendly production processes.

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Opinion

The basis of the success of singapore

Thanks to its strong government policies, Singapore has become one of the world’s most innovative nations. Much of this development—though not all of it — is worth imitating.

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Interview

Germany is living on its capital

The US economist David Audretsch praises Germany as a highly attractive industrial location. His French colleague Sylvain Broyer begs to differ. A debate about the industrial engine of Europe

PA12 plant in Marl
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PA12: the all-rounder

Whether in pipes, dishwashers, sports equipment or medical devices: PA12 is highly versatile and is ideal for printing.

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Polyamide

Multi-talented plastic

From 3D printing to gas pipes and the coolant pipes for batteries in electric cars—polyamide 12 keeps on opening up new areas of application. It demonstrates its capabilities under extreme conditions

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3D Printing

Layer by layer

The Belgian company Materialise has more experience with 3D printing than almost any other European company. It produces innovative products made of polyamide 12. A visit to the pioneers in the university city of Leuven in Belgium

View of high-rise buildings through palm trees.
Asia

The City That Constantly Reinvents Itself

Back in 1981, Singapore announced a “National Computerisation Plan.” Today this island nation on the southern tip of Malaysia has 50,000 startups and is looking to become the research capital of Asia. Evonik recently opened a new research center in Singapore. What makes this city-state’s culture of innovation so special? To find out, we paid a visit to this small country with great ambitions

A tranquil Canadian lake in a coniferous forest, with mountain peaks in the sunshine behind it.
Evonik Country

Canada: Country of Diversity

Undisturbed landscapes and ultramodern major cities, a traditional nation of immigrants, and a significant supplier of raw materials: Canada is a country of diversity. The “other America” is the world’s tenth-largest economy and has the world’s third-largest oil reserves. Evonik and its predecessor companies have been there since 1974.

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Digitalization

Digitalization harbors many opportunities

Jens Monsees worked at Google for seven years; today he is in charge of digital strategy at BMW. What opportunities does digitalization offer to German industry? And where do we stand in international comparisons? A talk about customer wishes, driving pleasure, and Larry Page’s toothbrush test

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Medtech

Extreme Extremeties

The prosthesis of the future might be controlled via motor impulses from the neural pathways just as well as a hand, for example. The futurologists at Evonik have taken a look at where current developments might lead.

RESOMER® polylactic acids are completely resorbed into the body
Medtech

Healing bones with Polymers

Broken bones, torn tendons, and damaged intervertebral discs are painful and impair quality of life. Evonik’s Medical Devices Project House develops materials that support healing and can spare patients further surgery. The first products are now being launched on the market

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In my Element

"Gold Was Created in Outer Space"

Stephan Rosswog is a professor of theoretical astrophysics at the University of Stockholm. In his childhood he was a huge fan of Carl Sagan’s TV show Cosmos: Our Spacetime Universe

Digital GmbH in Essen
Digitalization

The digital pacemakers

Digitalization is revolutionizing entire sectors of the economy, including the chemical industry. What does this mean for Evonik? To get some answers, we visited the new Evonik subsidiary Digital GmbH in Essen, which is one of the driving forces of this transformation

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Energy Transition

Power-to-X for sustainable future

Professor Walter Leitner is the speaker of the Power-to-X consortium of the Kopernikus initiative. The project deals with the storage and use of electrical energy from renewable sources by means of conversion into fuels and chemical products.

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Politics

Christian Kullmann about tax reform

Donald Trump’s tax reform is putting the rest of the world under pressure to act. But copying the US model would be the wrong response from Europe

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Evonik Country

Brazil: Land of the future

A “land of the future”—that was how the author Stefan Zweig rhapsodized about Brazil. He wasn’t the first one to pin his hopes on this country—and he won’t be the last

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Energy Transition

How New Chemicals are being made from CO₂

Converting carbon dioxide with the help of electricity and bacteria into valuable specialty chemicals: in just the next few years, researchers from Evonik and Siemens want to use an initial pilot plant to show how this process can be utilized on an industrial scale.

Close-up of the structure of human bone
Data Mining

Good to the bones

Developed over millions of years, the human bone is a true marvel.

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Artificial Photosynthesis

Two steps to Green Chemistry

Project Rheticus

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In my Element

“I’d like to get people hooked on physics”

Nitrogen is often the central element in our shows. We use it in almost all our performances

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Membranes

LESS CO₂ IN NATURAL GAS

In order to meet the increasing demand for natural gas, more and more gas fields with a high CO₂ content are being tapped. This is an ideal area of application for the new high-tech membranes from Austria.

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Opinion

It’s High Time for a Change

Research-based companies receive tax incentives all over the world—but not in Germany. We can no longer afford this competitive disadvantage.

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Pharma

Transport without Side Effects

Researchers have been working for 120 years to provide drugs with good chemical packaging so that they can reach their targets in the human body. In the past, the active ingredients were protected by a layer of sugar in dragées. Today nanotechnology is opening up entirely new opportunities.

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Opinion

Innovations instead of restrictions

Economic success and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive. On the path to a sustainable economy, we don’t need any new restrictions or symbolic sacrifices. We need more innovation. And when it comes to innovation, our company is an outstanding source.

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Circularity

Reusing Rubber

To date, most of the main component of old car tires can hardly be used for the production of new ones. One of the reasons for this is that vulcanization, which is important in the formation of rubber, cannot simply be reversed. That’s why Evonik is researching a technology that makes more end-of-life tire material fit for reuse

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In my Element

“Lead revolutionized book printing”

Christoph Sünder is a master printer. He’s the director of the workshop at the Druckladen, which is the department for educational programs at the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz. He regularly uses old type made of a lead alloy for his printing work

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Energy Transition

Heat is power

In industrial plants and households, energy is being lost everywhere in the form of waste heat. Thermoelectric generators can transform this waste heat into electricity. However, thermoelectric generators used to be complex and expensive to manufacture. Experts have now developed a fully automated production process that has great potential for energy recovery.

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Digitalization

"We are very close to our core business"

Dr. Henrik Hahn is the Chief Digital Officer of Evonik, manages the operations of Evonik Digital GmbH together with Dr. Catharina Müller-Buschbaum, and is the Chairman of the Digitalization working group of the German Association of the Chemical Industry (VCI). In this interview, he explains the role that digitalization is playing in the chemical industry.

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Chemistry

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