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Scientific Article details

Title Development of Concepts for a Climate-Neutral Chemical-Pharmaceutical Industry in 2045
ID_Doc 22425
Authors Uhl, A; Schmidt, A; Jensch, C; Köster, D; Strube, J
Title Development of Concepts for a Climate-Neutral Chemical-Pharmaceutical Industry in 2045
Year 2022
Published Processes, 10.0, 7
DOI 10.3390/pr10071289
Abstract Global primary energy consumption has increased tenfold over the course of the 20th Century, the availability of non-renewable energy is becoming scarce, and the burning of fossil fuels is leading to global warming. Climate change has now become tangible. The will to act against fossil fuels has become apparent in the western world, and in Germany in particular. This poses a particular challenge for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, since, in the future, not only will the energy input, but also the feedstock, have to come from non-fossil sources. They must be replaced by carbon capture and utilization, and the exploitation of a circular economy. Concepts for a climate-neutral chemical-pharmaceutical industry have been developed and evaluated. Due to a high predicted consumption of renewable energies and an insufficient expansion of these, Germany will remain an energy importer in the future. The largest consumer in a climate-neutral chemical-pharmaceutical industry will be electrolysis for hydrogen (up to 81%, 553 TWh/a). This can be circumvented by importing green ammonia and cracking. This will require investments of EUR 155 bn. An additional benefit will be increased independence from fossil resource imports, as green ammonia can be produced in a multitude of nations with strong potential for renewable energies and a diversified set of exporting nations.
Author Keywords climate neutrality; green technology; power-to-X; sustainability; global warming potential; process intensification; circular economy; section coupling
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:000832439200001
WoS Category Engineering, Chemical
Research Area Engineering
PDF https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9717/10/7/1289/pdf?version=1656580135
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