Press release
Corporate Press
September 7, 2016

"Evonik meets Science" forum: Researchers discuss resource efficiency in Bonn

  • Evonik is researching new corrosion protection systems for offshore wind turbines
  • Resource efficiency is driving research and development
    at Evonik
  • Catalysis researcher Professor Matthias Beller receives Friedrich Bergius Lecture

Essen/Bonn. Evonik Industries has developed a new coating system based on high-performance polymers in conjunction with industry and university partners. The new technology promises to provide excellent protection for offshore applications, such as steel constructions in wind turbines, where the requirements for good corrosion protection are particularly high as a result of the contact with sea water, sunlight, and mechanical stress. The new coating system will lengthen the life of the steel constructions and also reduce the amount of maintenance required. This and other solutions for greater resource efficiency were the focus of the "Evonik meets Science" forum held on September 6 and 7. More than 200 scientists from prestigious German universities and researchers from Evonik traveled to Bonn to exchange ideas and information as part of the regular science forum.

Klaus Engel, chairman of the Executive Board of Evonik Industries, said: "Resource efficiency is one of the main challenges of the future. Cutting-edge research at universities and in companies is necessary if we are to find viable solutions for this. Evonik is making a contribution to sustainable development with innovative products. However, for us innovation is first and foremost a major driver of profitable growth." In the medium term, the Group is aiming for products and applications developed in the past five years to account for 16 percent of sales. Solutions that increase research efficiency are expected to make up a significant share of this. Resource efficiency and climate friendliness are the basis for large numbers of energy-efficient, environmentally friendly products from Evonik. To be well equipped for the future, Evonik is continuing to invest in research and development in these areas.

In Bonn, the researchers not only reported on the state of development of the new corrosion protection system and the path leading to large-scale production. Further developments in the field of mobility were also on the agenda for greater resource efficiency with the aid of Evonik technologies. Using the silica/silane system for “green tires” it is already possible to reduce fuel consumption by up to 8 percent compared with conventional products and by up to 4 percent using innovative additives for high-performance lubricants. Evonik is developing new materials for the electronics industry to, for example, reduce the energy consumption of displays in tablets, smartphones, and televisions.

Friedrich Bergius Lecture went to Prof. Matthias Beller
Evonik presented the Friedrich Bergius Lecture award to Professor Matthias Beller in Bonn in recognition of his outstanding research. As one of the world’s leading catalysis researchers, Professor Beller has been involved in a large number of research collaborations with Evonik. Beller is managing director of the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis at the University of Rostock (LIKAT Rostock). The person after whom the award is named, Friedrich Bergius, received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1931 together with Carl Bosch. He had worked for one of Evonik’s predecessor companies from 1914 to 1918. His research work still has a bearing on Evonik’s chemical activities today. This is the second time since 2014 that the company has conferred this award in Germany at the "Evonik meets Science" forum.

The project for developing an innovative technology for corrosion protection at offshore wind farms was funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research under funding number 03X3561A.

Company information

Evonik, the creative industrial group from Germany, is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. Profitable growth and a sustained increase in the value of the company form the heart of Evonik’s corporate strategy. Its activities focus on the key megatrends health, nutrition, resource efficiency and globalization. Evonik benefits specifically from its innovative prowess and integrated technology
platforms.

Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world. In fiscal 2015 more than 33,500 employees generated sales of around €13.5 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of about €2.47 billion.

Disclaimer

In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.