Art history or biology? During his school days, Johannes Gescher couöd have chosen either one. Eventually though, the biology studies won out, and the young student moved from his birthplace of Fulda to the university town Freiburg. Once there he was captivated by the world of microorganisms almost immediately: “Even during my undergraduate degree, I saw that my future was in microbiology,” Gescher says today.
The vanadium-dependent nitrogenase is an enzyme that catalyses two important processes: On the one hand it converts atmospheric nitrogen (N2) to ammonia, on the other hand it reduces carbon monoxide (CO) to hydrocarbons. Today, both reactions are run on a big scale by chemical catalyses to produce ammonia and fuels for industry. In additon, ammonia is used as synthetic fertilizer to ensure the food production for at least half of the world’s population.
Normally, dowels are made from highly robust and resistant plastics such as nylon. The Baden-Württemberg-based construction company Fischer relies on a polymer that is partly based on castor oil as a raw material. The oil is extracted from the seeds of the castor oil plant Ricinus communis, which belongs to the spurge plant genus.
Until now, converting organic waste into fuel has not been economically viable. Excessively high temperatures and too much energy were required. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) managed to significantly reduce the temperature and energy requirements for an integral step of the chemical process by using a novel catalyst concept: they confined the reaction to small spaces inside zeolite crystals.
Bayer aims to further grow its Animal Health Business. Until the year 2021, the company will invest an estimated €92 million into the further development of the production site in Kiel, where some of the most important products for the global market are being manufactured.
The Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting is a prestigious melting pot for Nobel Laureates and talented young researchers. The renowned event has been held every year since its inception in 1951 and takes place during the last week of June at Lake Constance in the south of Germany. This year, 28 laureates have come together in Lindau. The overarching themes alternate between Chemistry, Physics, and Medicine & Physiology each year – this year the focus lies on Chemistry.
Biodiesel is largely produced from rapeseeds in Europe. The fuel consists of long-chain hydrocarbon compounds. Due to a higher boiling point compared to mineral oil-based fuel, the biodiesel cannot be used undiluted in conventional engines. Biodiesel is nonetheless very important for industries, since it has a lower impact on global warming than conventional fuel. In accordance with an EU directive to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, biofuel has to be added to conventional fuel.
Environmentally-conscious customers demand drinking containers that are reusable as well as made of sustainable materials. Evonik and the Taiwanese company Sungo have combined their expertise to manufacture a handy but sturdy drinking bottle made of high-quality sustainable material: the Ludavi bottle. The bottle is made of the transparent microcrystalline polyamide Trogamid Terra biopolymer by Evonik Industries. The biopolymer consists of more than 50 percent renewable raw materials, such as palm kernel and coconut oil.
After the merger the company will be named “HuntsmanClariant” and is estimated to generate revenue of approximately US$ 13.2 billion. The shareholder value of the new company is projected at US$ 20 billion. Clariant will hold 52% of shares, while Huntsman will hold 48%. Similarly, the management of HuntsmanClariant will be split: The current Clariant CEO Hariolf Kottmann is the designated president of the future administrative board.
With around 2,100 companies, the chemical industry is one of the most important sectors of the German economy. In 2023, the number of people working in the chemical industry was more than 479,500. Major international corporations such as BASF and Evonik have their headquarters in Germany. These key players generate the bulk of the chemical sector’s annual turnover (2023: 225.5 billion euros). The chemical industry produces and sells a staggering 30,000 or more different products.