The transition to a circular economy is a key challenge in the transition to a resource-efficient and climate-neutral industry. Many chemical and pharmaceutical companies are tackling this task, but the solutions are often extremely difficult. The new guide "Getting started with the circular economy in the chemical industry" shows how the path can be mastered step by step and systematically, and what opportunities exist for an early transition. It is being developed by the Chemie3 sustainability initiative.
This guide offers companies strategic and operational support in the transition to a circular economy. It offers solutions ranging from raw material selection for products to design, manufacturing, and recycling. Other approaches show how the company's products promote customer recycling or end-of-life recovery. Advanced business networking also plays an important role, as many processes go beyond simply adding value. Approaches to solutions are presented using real examples from companies.
These guidelines are specifically aimed at small and medium-sized specialty and fine chemical companies in the subsectors of basic and intermediate chemicals, polymers and materials, paints and coatings, construction chemicals, adhesives, agrochemicals, consumer chemicals and pharmaceutical chemicals. Larger and more advanced companies will also find inspiration to rethink their past and innovate where appropriate.
With their Chemie³ initiative, the three partners BAVC, IGBCE and VCI want to adopt sustainability as a role model in the chemical industry. To this end, Chemie³ has developed 12 "Sustainability Guidelines for the Chemical Industry in Germany" and supports its members in their daily implementation.
The Federal Association of Chemical Users (BAVC) is the collective bargaining and socio-political umbrella organization of the chemical and pharmaceutical industries as well as a large part of the rubber and plastics processing industry. It represents the interests of ten member regional associations, which bring together 1,900 companies and 580,000 employees, vis-ą-vis trade unions, politicians and the public.
With almost 600,000 members, IGBCE is the second largest industrial union in Germany. It shapes the good working conditions of 1.1 million employees in more than a dozen industries, including chemicals/pharmaceuticals/biotech, energy/raw materials/mining, plastics/rubber, paper, ceramics and glass.
The German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) represents the economic and political interests of around 1,900 companies from the chemical and pharmaceutical industries and related sectors in politics and administration, business, science and communications. The VCI represents more than 90 % of the German chemical industry.