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The chemical and materials industry is a trillion-dollar global business with more than 20 million employees worldwide

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The chemical and materials industry is a trillion-dollar global business with more than 20 million employees worldwide. The main product that directly or indirectly affects us is the contribution of the chemical industry. In every sector-from health, sanitation, construction, transportation to agriculture and energy supply-the chemical industry can play a key role because it can achieve the required transformation. Through responsible chemical production, use and management, the chemical sector can participate in innovative products and practices to protect the environment, minimize negative impacts, promote social progress and support economic growth.

The chemical industry can influence global consumers, other industrial sectors, or ecosystems in several ways. New technologies play an important role to push the chemical industry into a more sustainable future. Table 1 describes some influential areas that can be promoted by chemical and materials companies for sustainable development.
Most chemical companies are striving to comply with the guidelines provided by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG), which provide a common blueprint for the peace and prosperity of mankind and the planet. In order to achieve these goals, chemical companies are working hard to innovate new materials and new technologies. Based on the organization's weight of influence in the chemical and materials industries, the organization has established 17 pillars of the Sustainable Development Goals, as described below. Table 2 summarizes the various contributions of the chemical industry that have the potential to achieve these goals

Very high impact target

Sustainable Development Goal 13-Climate Change: Greenhouse gas emissions are more than 50% higher than in 1990. Global warming is causing long-term changes to our climate system. The industry has been contributing to this area by investing in carbon capture technology, carbon storage and pricing policies. In the field of biochemistry, various technological advances have been made in capturing and converting carbon dioxide into useful products.
Sustainable Development Goal 6-Clean Water and Sanitation: More than 40% of people are affected by water shortages, and this number is expected to rise as the temperature rises. More and more countries are facing water pressure, and increasing drought and desertification have exacerbated these trends. The industry can achieve this goal by adopting water purification and desalination technologies such as membrane filtration technology, ion exchange resin technology, ozone filtration, and the use of innovative chemicals and materials. Water quality improvement can be achieved at the consumer and industrial level through the use of improved nanomaterial-based water purification solutions.
Sustainable Development Goal 12-Responsible Consumption and Production: To achieve economic growth and sustainable development, we need to reduce our ecological footprint by changing the way we produce and consume goods and resources. The chemical industry prioritizes the procurement of sustainable raw materials, so it is turning to bio-based/waste-based raw materials for the production of chemicals and fuels. Biofuel production (ethanol, methanol) is one of the most influential products produced in recent years and has the potential to be used in the electric vehicle industry.
Sustainable Development Goal 14-Life Underwater: The goal is to protect ocean waters from pollution caused mainly by various commercial activities or plastic waste. The chemical industry is trying to contribute to this goal through innovative plastic alternative materials, biomaterial packaging solutions and packaging product engineering.
High impact target

Sustainable Development Goal 7-Affordable clean energy: As the population continues to grow, so does the demand for cheap energy, and an economy that relies on fossil fuels is bringing dramatic changes to our climate. The chemical industry has always been a huge contributor to the production of renewable energy solutions such as biofuels. Biofuels may become the main substitute for fossil fuels in various applications. Most chemical companies are turning to use low-toxicity/bio-based non-toxic materials to produce various chemicals, such as eliminating toxic solvents in various processes and products, and using engineering materials in production to reduce energy or water consumption. They have contributed to this field by developing fuel cell technology for mobile applications.
Sustainable Development Goal 9-Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Infrastructure and innovation investment are key drivers of economic growth and development. There are many chemical companies that have been important and active partners of various value chain organizations in the development of sustainable raw materials and the development of various chemistry and material recycling infrastructure through technology licensing activities.

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