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[Translate to English:] © Jürgen Huhn​/​TU Dortmund
Exchange on important future issues

8th Future Dialog Focuses on Sustainability in the Chemical Industry

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Ralf Düssel hält einen Vortrag. Der Raum ist grün beleuchtet. © Felix Schmale​/​TU Dortmund
At the 8th Future Dialog on 23 April, Dr. Ralf Düssel, Senior Vice President and Head of Sustainability at Evonik, was a guest at TU Dortmund University. In his presentation, he discussed the approach of Germany’s third-largest chemical company toward greater sustainability. The Future Dialog offers companies from the region the opportunity to illuminate current issues from their perspective and in the context of the university that are important for the future as well as exchange thoughts and ideas with students, researchers and staff of TU Dortmund University. The Center for Entrepreneurship & Transfer (CET) organizes the event series.

According to Düssel, six out of nine planetary boundaries – which describe the ecological pressures that Earth can withstand – have already been exceeded. One of these is climate change, driven by the emission of greenhouse gases such as CO₂ or methane. The chemical industry must also do its part: Although it is one of the world’s most important industries, providing the building blocks for a large portion of all products, it is globally responsible for roughly 6.6 % of greenhouse gas emissions. This requires a transition from the current linear value chain to a circular industry utilizing a broad array of technologies that help reduce the carbon footprint, he explained to around 50 guests.

For Evonik, reducing this “carbon footprint” is a central goal. Between 2021 and 2030, the Essen-based corporation plans to cut 1.1 million tons of CO₂ emissions and spend 700 million euros on the necessary measures. These savings are expected primarily from reducing emissions at its own production sites as well as from indirect emissions such as purchased electricity. For instance, Evonik has replaced its own coal-fired power plant with two gas-fired plants, is increasingly installing heat pumps, sources external renewable energy, and intends to move toward electrification in the future – for example, through e-boilers.

Ein Mann hält einen Vortrag vor Publikum. Der Raum ist grün beleuchtet. © Felix Schmale​/​TU Dortmund
Around 50 guests attended the lecture at the CET premises.

Increasing the the recycling rate

In the long term, production processes will be altered to increase, among other things, the recycling rate. Additionally, the storage and reuse of carbon dioxide generated during production – technologies known as Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) and Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) – are considered potential future solutions. “Currently, the technology is still too inefficient and does not pay off, but I am firmly convinced that it will come,” Düssel said.

However, the greatest influence of Evonik’s products on the environment occurs at the customer level. Therefore, Evonik is also asking, “What is the impact of our product in use?” Elements that are harmful should be reduced over time, for example the "Substances of Very High Concern" (SVHC) –  substances that can be particularly alarming because they may harm human health or the environment. In contrast, the proportion of so-called “Next Generation Solutions,” meaning products that are especially sustainable, should be expanded.

Ralf Düssel hält einen Vortrag. Der Raum ist im Hintergrund grün beleuchtet. © Felix Schmale​/​TU Dortmund
Key question for Evonik: “What is the impact of our product in the application?”

Sustainability and profitability

Sustainability, however, does not play a role only in production. Through Evonik Venture Capital GmbH, the corporation invests in start-ups and technology companies. These investments focus particularly on sustainable areas; indeed, in 2022 a special “Sustainability Tech Fund” was established for this purpose.

Dr. Ralf Düssel also discussed the limits of what is achievable for such a large corporation as Evonik, which employs around 32,000 people worldwide across roughly 100 locations.

It is often said that products with a sustainability claim sell better; however, only 1 to 7 % of people are willing to pay more for more sustainable products. “This is a major challenge for the industry,” Düssel said. Furthermore, measures for reducing CO₂ must be economically viable, or the future of the company could be jeopardized.

Following the presentation, the guests made extensive use of the opportunity to ask questions and actively participate in the discussion. Afterwards, refreshments and a snack provided a further chance for shared exchange.

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