1
Introduction and Overview
1.1
The Challenge of Competition, Safety, and Protection of
Human Health and the Environment for the Chemical
Industry
Since the early days of industrial chemistry at the end of the eighteenth century, chemical products and processes have been recognized not only to provide
incredible benefits but also to come with potential dangers. Initially, society
focused on understanding how human health can be adversely affected by new
chemical technology, and later this concern expanded to also include effects on
the environment. Beginning in the 1960s, increasing chemical production volumes
in the wake of the great success of industrial chemistry, an improved level of
awareness of potential hazards, and concern for growing environmental problems
led to a greater focus on the importance of safety and the protection of human
health and the environment. However, this only gained real significance above other
priorities (such as cost-effectiveness) following the introduction of comprehensive
environmental and chemical legislation in the 1970s and 1980s. To achieve longterm success in the chemical industry, today it is understood that products need to
be able to generate high added value and at the same time be manufactured, used,
and disposed of safely and in an environmentally sound manner.
At the onset of this shift in the 1970s, it was initially seen to bring only
disadvantages to industrial chemical companies in the form of costly environmental
requirements and growing constraints within the product life cycle. However, more
and more companies began to recognize that it also created opportunities for
them to positively differentiate themselves on the market and ensure the lasting
value of their products as well as to improve their reputation. Stricter emission
regulations catalyzed the restructuring of entire product portfolios toward greater
energy efficiency, improved use of raw materials, and minimized wastes, which
was recognized to reduce costs in the long term. The trend toward safer and more
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
K. Hungerbühler et al., Chemical Products and Processes,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62422-4_1
3
Introduction and Overview
1.1
The Challenge of Competition, Safety, and Protection of
Human Health and the Environment for the Chemical
Industry
Since the early days of industrial chemistry at the end of the eighteenth century, chemical products and processes have been recognized not only to provide
incredible benefits but also to come with potential dangers. Initially, society
focused on understanding how human health can be adversely affected by new
chemical technology, and later this concern expanded to also include effects on
the environment. Beginning in the 1960s, increasing chemical production volumes
in the wake of the great success of industrial chemistry, an improved level of
awareness of potential hazards, and concern for growing environmental problems
led to a greater focus on the importance of safety and the protection of human
health and the environment. However, this only gained real significance above other
priorities (such as cost-effectiveness) following the introduction of comprehensive
environmental and chemical legislation in the 1970s and 1980s. To achieve longterm success in the chemical industry, today it is understood that products need to
be able to generate high added value and at the same time be manufactured, used,
and disposed of safely and in an environmentally sound manner.
At the onset of this shift in the 1970s, it was initially seen to bring only
disadvantages to industrial chemical companies in the form of costly environmental
requirements and growing constraints within the product life cycle. However, more
and more companies began to recognize that it also created opportunities for
them to positively differentiate themselves on the market and ensure the lasting
value of their products as well as to improve their reputation. Stricter emission
regulations catalyzed the restructuring of entire product portfolios toward greater
energy efficiency, improved use of raw materials, and minimized wastes, which
was recognized to reduce costs in the long term. The trend toward safer and more
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
K. Hungerbühler et al., Chemical Products and Processes,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62422-4_1
3