Sustainability through Responsibility

Nanotechnology can make a major contribution to sustainable development because it can bring benefits for the economy, ecology and society. As well as having enormous commercial potential, it creates jobs and can reduce pressure on the environment. Nanostructured catalysts make more efficient use of resources, greatly reduce exhaust fumes from vehicles and improve the environmental performance of production processes. Hybrid cars cut fuel consumption by up to 25 percent and reduce the emission of pollutants. New battery separators from Degussa are contributing to progress in this field. Thanks to these flexible ceramic membranes, powerful lithium ion batteries can now be used safely in vehicles.

Sustainability means balancing economic, ecological and social requirements and considering the needs of people today without restricting the options available to future generations. Making sure that new technologies like nanotechnology are handled responsibly is therefore important to Degussa. This is set out in the company’s nanotechnology policy. Product safety and safe production are central elements of this responsible approach. This can be demonstrated by quoting from the company’s nanotechnology policy: “Degussa produces and markets nanomaterials only if, according to the latest available research, they can be manufactured and applied in a safe and environmentally compatible manner.” The company is constantly broadening its knowledge base. For example, it initiated the NanoCare project in collaboration with the Technology Center of the Association of German Engineers (VDI). NanoCare is researching the impact of industrially produced nanoparticles on human health.

Product Safety Systematic management - Degussa routinely reviews the safety of its products at all stages in their life cycle in the light of the latest findings and systematically examines the safety of all new products and processes during their development. More

Safe Production Responsibility for employees - Degussa gives top priority to protecting people and the environment at its facilities. That means state-of-the-art production, for example, in closed-system production units, and continuous improvement of production and logistics processes. More

Safety Research Improving knowledge - Degussa has an extensive database and has conducted numerous studies on the safety of fine-particle products. However, innovative technologies may raise new questions, sometimes of a fundamental nature. A responsible approach to nanotechnology means addressing such issues systematically. To complement its own studies, Degussa therefore participates in collaborative projects with other producers and leading research institutes and supports work in this field by well-known scientists and research organizations. More