In the area of Sustainability and Technology, systems-analytical studies related to a sustainable development are performed and innovative technologies developed with partners from both inside and outside the Helmholtz Association. Innovative technology may result in an increased efficiency and resources productivity and, thus, contribute to a sustainable development. Use of technology depends on political, economic, and social conditions, which also have to be taken into account. Technology developments and pertinent conceptual studies, materials flow analyses, and technology assessments focusing on the sustainability issue are pursued by a total of ten institutes of the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe in close cooperation.

The “sustainability“ concept requires the definition of an integrated approach. The results do not only affect the activities conducted under this Program, but all research areas of the Helmholtz Association, where technology is developed.

Highly contaminated waters are processed using innovative and inexpensive techniques, the aim being to supply clean water in both highly industrialized and developing countries. Particular emphasis is put on the integration of natural processes and the combination of biological and chemico-physical technologies. Effect-oriented risk assessment strategies are being developed and employed for the protection of the environmental media of water, sediment, and soil.

Innovative process technologies contribute to optimizing the chemical and industrial chain of values added. Moreover, an environmentally more compatible use of carbon is aimed at, first by the conversion of organic residues into chemical raw materials. Their use in combined chemical and energetic processes causes the product yield to increase and contributes to saving resources.

This field of work mainly deals with large mass flows, e.g. in the building and waste sectors. Material behavior during waste incineration is studied in the TAMARA and THERESA test facilities. The objective is to increase the economic efficiency of processes while maintaining the environmental protection standard reached. Furthermore, the behavior of building materials and mineral residues is studied to improve their corrosion resistance and quality of reuse.