Resource-Efficient Separation Technologies for a Green EconomySustainability is developing into a guiding theme for national and international activities. Sustainability strategies covering environmental, technological, and innovation aspects are being made operational in the green economy concept. One feature of this concept is the use of resource-efficient technologies. Separation technologies form an important part of these technologies. This contribution describes the Molecular Sorting research approach of Fraunhofer organization, which covered application-oriented assessment of several separation technologies, along with their constraints.

The article contains sections titled:1.Introduction2.Sustainability and the Processing Industry3.A Pathway to Sustainability in the Chemical Industry4.Pathways to Sustainable Production4.1Alternative Synthesis4.2Alternative Raw Materials4.3Alternative catalysts4.4Alternative Reactors4.5Alternative Solvents4.6Concepts for Process and Site Integration5.Summary and Outlook