Chemistry-Enabled Technologies Key to Future Mobility!

The European Union is currently celebrating its 13th European Mobility Week (EMW 2013) from 16 to 22 September. Many cities and towns across the continent have joined the initiative and implemented solutions and good practices that can be shared with other towns.

A typical example is the story of Burgas in Bulgaria. Last February, the city's bus fleet was entirely replaced by 67 new clean vehicles. The city’s efforts are now concentrated in the construction of a new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line which should be operational in 2015, creating a North-South bus corridor through the city. The city aims to further promote its investment in sustainable mobility by participating in EMW 2013.

More about this story can be found in a video produced by the Covenant of Mayors an organisation of local and regional authorities dedicated to sustainable development to which SusChem is affiliated.

Clean chemistry
Clean vehicles are based on solutions provided by the chemical industry: they require lightweight materials to contain energy consumption, and specific materials for the smaller batteries and catalysts required to clean up emissions.  Chemistry is the player that can enable more success stories on clean mobility in Europe and ensure clean air becomes a widespread urban reality.

Local authorities can rely on the chemical industry to provide the solutions to ensure that the ambitious EU targets for sustainable mobility are achieved, for example by helping making the vision for mobility of the Smart Cities Platform a reality.

But chemistry does not provide only sustainability and energy efficiency. It is also a force for safer transportation: from defrosting products for aeroplane wings that are essential in harsh weather conditions to resilient material for automotive vehicles, chemistry is at the heart of the processes ensuring safe and sound mobility.


SusChem staff recently followed a debate on Smart Mobility in Cities organized by the European Voice in Brussels. Speakers from the private sector, trade associations, local authorities and the European institutions discussed the most innovative technologies and initiatives for the mobility of tomorrow: from a new approach to parking space to novel hydrogen and electric vehicles.

Chemistry will surely play a part in making their vision and ideas a reality!

If you want more information on what chemistry can offer in terms of innovation in mobility, take a look at the new SusChem flier on mobility!