The business of chemistry is energy-intensive.

This is especially the case for basic chemicals as well as certain specialty chemical segments (e.g., industrial gases). It relies upon energy inputs not only for fuel and power for its operations, but also as raw materials in the manufacture of many of its products. For example, oil and natural gas are raw materials (termed feedstocks) for the manufacture of organic chemicals. At the same time, the business of chemistry is saving energy, driving clean energy and improving sustainability. Since 1974, the business of chemistry has reduced energy consumption by more than half as part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability.
[Economic data generated from the Guide to the Business of Chemistry 2011.]

Energy

The products of chemistry save energy by improving energy efficiency in our homes, offices and factories and by making cars and packaging more lightweight. Chemistry innovations also enable the sustainable technologies that are revolutionizing the way we generate and store energysolar cells, wind turbines, rechargeable batteries and more. Chemistry Is Saving Energy: Building insulation saves up to 40 times the energy used to create it; plastic house wrap that creates a weather resistant barrier saves up to 360 times the energy used to produce it.

Chemistry-driven plastic auto parts now make up 50 percent of the volume of todays new cars, dramatically reducing vehicle weight to significantly improve gas mileage by up to seven percent for each 10 percent in weight reductionwhile playing a critical role in helping improve vehicle safety. Chemistry enables compact fluorescent bulbs to fluoresce and to use 70 percent less energy than incandescent bulbsand LED lighting could cut global energy demand by a whopping 30 percent. Replacing an old refrigerator with a new ENERGY STAR-qualified modelwith improved insulation and coolant systems made possible by chemistrysaves enough energy to light an average house for nearly four months. Strong yet lightweight plastic packaging allows more products to be shipped with less weight, lightening the load and saving energy from factory to home.

Chemistry Is Driving Clean Energy: Solar power relies on silicon-based chemistry, and innovative new plastic solar panels are poised to reach the mass residential market.

Wind power turbine blades are made using plastics and chemical additives, helping deliver renewable energy to our nations electricity grid. Lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries employ chemistry to create rechargeable batteries for automobiles, military equipment, laptops, mobile phones, MP3 players, etc.

Chemistry Is Improving Sustainability: Since 1974, the business of chemistry has reduced energy consumption by more than half (based on unit per output), part of an ongoing commitment to sustainability.

The business of chemistry develops the products that reduce greenhouse gas emissions for consumers and manufacturing facilities alike. For every ton of CO2 emitted in manufacturing the products of chemistry, two tons of CO2emissions are saved.