Chemical companies are frequently not associated with sustainability, clean technology, or decarbonization. But when we dig a little deeper, we find that the technologies driving us toward a Net Zero economy have their roots in chemistry. One business in the sector has even integrated sustainability into the core of both its goals and its offerings.
Global chemical manufacturer Chemours produces goods that are vital parts of semiconductor chips, smartphones, refrigeration systems that keep food and vaccines fresh, and resilient coatings for infrastructure. The business is also using its chemistry to develop cutting-edge green technologies that address issues of global sustainability. These include lowering the price of renewable hydrogen, improving the energy efficiency of data centers via immersion cooling, and producing polymers for batteries that lower the price of electric cars and extend their charge density and range.
Creating a model for ethical climate innovation
Green technologies are essential for a sustainable future, but responsible production of these cutting-edge goods is just as vital for safeguarding public health and the environment.
Chemours has made an effort to set an example for its sector on how to embrace ethical manufacturing practices and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable planet. At the center of this endeavor is the 312,000 square foot, state-of-the-art, sustainably designed Chemours Discovery Hub, which is co-located on the Science, Technology, and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus of the University of Delaware.
According to Chemours President and CEO Mark Newman, “a number of the innovations at the Chemours Discovery Hub are improving our process technology with a view to reducing emissions, improving our environmental signature and putting the company on a path to achieve Net Zero by 2050.”
As part of its corporate responsibility commitment, the company is now directing its operations toward a number of challenging environmental goals.
These include a minimum 99 percent reduction in the emissions of fluorinated organic chemicals from air and water processes, as well as an absolute 60 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from operations by 2030. The business is already over halfway toward accomplishing every goal.
With 48% of its revenue already derived from products that specifically support the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Chemours is actively looking for methods to increase the contribution of its sustainable offering.
Increasing the quantity of STEM innovators
Furthermore, Chemours is contributing to the development of a strong and varied pipeline of future STEM talent that will help address the difficulties and fulfill the needs of a world that is changing rapidly.
The company’s intention to facilitate more interdisciplinary collaboration in chemical engineering and to provide opportunities for a young and diverse group of individuals to enter the industry during a period of progressive change is demonstrated by the co-location of its Chemours Discovery Hub at the University of Delaware. According to Amber Wellman, Chemours’ chief sustainability officer, “our Discovery Hub gives Chemours and the next generation of scientists the opportunity to collaborate, inspire one another, and develop new technologies.” “It’s a hard environment to replicate elsewhere and will keep inspiring new ideas for our company.”
Chemours intends to invest $50 million in expanding access to STEM skills, safety initiatives, and sustainable environment programs across its local communities by 2030 in order to guarantee that more people from more backgrounds have access to early STEM education and other resources. Of that, $18 million has already been committed. According to Newman, “investing in the next generation of innovators is essential if we want them to continue using sustainable chemistry to solve the world’s biggest challenges through partnerships like the Chemours Discovery Hub and other programs.”
The company’s dedication to using the power of its chemistry to improve the world and the critical role its products play in enabling a sustainable future are intrinsically linked to the environmental and community investment goals set by Chemours. “We’re surpassing what’s required”