Green Export

Key actions to innovate for safe and sustainable EU chemicals: Greening and digitalising the production of chemicals?

Chemical production is one of the most polluting, energy and resource-intensive sectors and is closely integrated with other energy-intensive sectors and processes. While the European chemical industry has already invested in improved manufacturing plants, the green and digital transition still requires significant investments for the sector. Novel and cleaner industrial processes and technologies would help not only to lower the environmental footprint of chemicals production but also to reduce costs, improve market readiness and create new markets for the European sustainable chemicals industry.

Energy efficiency must be prioritised in accordance with the ambition of the European Green Deal, and fuels such as renewable hydrogen and sustainably produced biomethane could play a decisive role for the sustainability of energy sources. Digital technologies – such as the internet of things, big data, artificial intelligence, smart sensors and robotics – can also play an important role in greening manufacturing processes. In addition, chemical innovations can bring sustainable solutions across sectors to reduce the overall environmental footprint of production processes.

Beyond the role played by technology, innovations in business models can be an important driver for the green transition of the industry producing and using chemicals. Opportunities to shift from traditional production and use of chemicals to chemicals as a service should be explored and promoted. Such innovations could optimise the use of expertise and ensure resource efficiency during the entire life cycle, as well as encourage place-based innovation and the involvement of SMEs. These developments will be supported by the EU sustainable finance taxonomy, to help guide funds towards the manufacturing and use of environmentally sustainable chemicals.

INNOVATING INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION 

The Commission will support, through its financial instruments and research and innovation programmes:

  • research and development in advanced materials for applications in the energy, construction, mobility, health, agriculture and electronics sectors to deliver the green and digital transition;
  • research, development and deployment of low-carbon and low environmental impact chemical and material production processes;
  • research and development of innovative business models such as performance-based business model to ensure a more efficient use of chemicals and other resources and the minimization of wastes and emissions;
  • re-skilling and up-skilling the workforce involved in the production and use of chemicals towards the green and digital transition;
  • access to risk finance, in particular for SMEs and start-ups;
  • development and deployment of infrastructure allowing to switch to the use, transport and storage of electricity from renewable / carbon-neutral energy sources for the production of chemicals; 
  • increase the current deployment rate of available technologies for manufacturing purposes such as internet of things, big data, artificial intelligence, automation, smart sensors and robotics.

 

Source: European Commission

 

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