Basic chemicals, sustainable development

Avvakumov E.G. Soft mechanochemical synthesis as a basic for new chemical processes. Chem Sustainable Development 1994 2 541-59. 

As the world s leading chemical company, it is our mission to benefit our customers, our shareholders, our company, our employees, and the countries in which we operate. BASF s values describe the orientation and the manner in which we want to reach our goals. The first of six values states Ongoing profitable performance in the sense of Sustainable Development is the basic requirement for all our activities. We are committed to the interests of our customers, shareholders and employees and assume a responsibility towards society. ... 

Abstract As described in detail akeady, environmental friendliness is needed for sustainable development. There are two basic ways to make the surface finishing process more environmentally friendly. One of them is the substitution of hazardous materials with harmless substances. The other one is the utilization of a closed system for surface finishing/coating. From the viewpoint, physical vapor deposition (PVD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) seem to be the most favorable processes, since both have already been established. In this chapter, we describe both processes and discuss the effectiveness and possibility of changes from the conventional plating process to a dry process. 

Problems to be solved are related to membrane stability (of polymeric membranes, but also the development of hydrophobic ceramic nanofiltration membranes and pervaporation membranes resistant to extreme conditions), to a lack of fundamental knowledge on transport mechanisms and models, and to the need for simulation tools to be able to predict the performance of solvent-resistant nanofiltration and pervaporation in a process environment. This will require an investment in basic and applied research, but will generate a breakthrough in important societal issues such as energy consumption, global warming and the development of a sustainable chemical industry. 

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