SusChem: Maximising progress, minimising environmental impact

Europe is currently a world leader in chemicals production and chemistry research. The chemical industry supplies products to virtually all downstream industrial and consumer sectors. It is at the heart of the European economy providing revenue, exports and employment. It also acts as an important engine for innovation in other sectors. 

Competitiveness at risk

But the industry's competitiveness is at risk due to cost competition from outside Europe. The industry is experiencing a lack of growth because of the migration of customer industries who are moving to Asia where their overheads are less. 

SusChem was established to develop a strategy to counteract this trend. In establishing SusChem, Cefic approached the RSC and the German Chemical Society to join a partnership already consisting of EuropaBio (The European Association for Bioindustries), Dechema (the German Society for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology) and Cefic itself. For its part the RSC saw SusChem as a way of influencing European chemical strategy and was happy to join the partnership.   

Marian Mours who leads Cefic's SusChem activities says, 'SusChem is a key initiative which aims to put chemistry at the heart of European research. But SusChem's vision covers the next 20 years. We need all stakeholders, including industry, academia and national governments to work together to achieve the vision.' 

SusChem also recognises the importance of engaging with the public especially in debates about the introduction of novel technologies.

The SusChem vision

Since its inception SusChem has created a vision for a sustainable European chemical industry which it believes will enhance its global competitiveness. Advances powered by technology will create an industry which has minimal environmental impact and maximum innovation. Improving both innovation and sustainability are essential to future competitiveness and the preservation of a viable chemical community in Europe (both industrial and academic). 

Knowledge and creativity are the key factors for generating innovative ideas. Investing in research as a major source of innovation is a clear necessity for Europe chemical industry. However, EU chemical R&D expenditure is lower than in competing regions of the world like the US and China - and is still decreasing. 

SusChem has identified three critical technology areas where investment in R&D could fulfil its vision for a competitive and sustainable European chemical industry. They have highlighted industrial biotechnology, materials technology, and reaction and process design as the areas in which European chemistry can flourish. 

In December 2005, SusChem published its Strategic Research Agenda, which identifies the issues and challenges for research in these areas. 

SusChem is also focusing on more generic barriers to chemistry innovation in Europe such as an effective regulatory and economic framework that does not stifle innovation.

Influencing the future

Now it has formulated an agenda, SusChem's role is to help co-ordinate European national and regional initiatives within the chemical research community, that will further its aims. It will work together with all Member States and with related technology platforms and research networks. SusChem aims to build the necessary bridges between the different sub-disciplines of chemistry and with other molecular sciences and technologies including the engineering disciplines. 

In November 2005, SusChem started developing a detailed Implementation Action Plan at an RSC-hosted stakeholder workshop in London. The plan will be completed during 2006. One of the main aims is to influence the formulation of the European Union Framework Programme 7 (FP7) which will distribute around €50,000 million for the period 2007 - 2013. SusChem has already had some success in this, as several of its priority areas have been picked up by the European Commission in their draft proposals for FP7. 

A wider benefit

Europe's general goal, to increase its competitiveness and reduce environmental impact over all sectors, can only be achieved with a significant contribution from chemistry. Chemical innovation and a vibrant chemical community are essential for sustainable development. 

But SusChem sees its work as being for society's benefit as a whole, rather than for the economy alone. Chemical innovation underlies the improved quality of life enjoyed by all European citizens today. The chemical sciences can provide solutions to important societal issues such as climate change, food production, healthcare and our future energy supply. 

Just as importantly, SusChem will play a vital role in improving the European public's perception of chemistry. SusChem stresses how chemistry and the chemical industry are the drivers of beneficial change for society. The products and processes of all sectors need innovative chemistry to become more sustainable. 

A challenge to UK Industry

SusChem has laid down a challenge to European industry. So far major players in the European chemicals sector have committed time and resources to the initiative which they feel will have long term benefits to their businesses. However, with some notable exceptions, UK industry has yet to become fully engaged with SusChem. 

To some extent this can be understood by the nature of the industry in the UK, which is made up of many more SMEs than are found in some other European countries. These companies have fewer resources to lend to such future planning initiatives. 

But UK industry has much to gain and much to input into the strategy for achieving an invigorated and sustainable chemistry industry. The challenge is now to engage more fully and play a part in sculpting the SusChem agenda.