Degussa

The Evonik Degussa GmbH is an industrial corporation based in Essen, Germany. Until the end of 2006, the company operated under the name of Degussa, becoming the Chemicals Business Area of Evonik Industries AG in September 2007. Evonik Degussa GmbH is the third largest chemical business company worldwide and the world's largest specialty chemistry company. The term Degussa was originally an acronym for Deutsche Gold- und Silber-Scheide-Anstalt, which was established in 1873 as an incorporated company in Frankfurt. The Evonik Degussa concern holds over 100 production sites in 28 countries, with a workforce of about 32,000, a volume of about 10 million euros (in 2007) and more than 20,000 patents and pending patents. The managing board is chaired by Patrik Wohlhauser. Degussa regards nanotechnology as an important cross-application technology and is extensively involved in the production of nanostructured materials.

Degussa historically grew out of a strategic merging of national and international precursor companies. Numerous affiliated companies originated from Degussa, in Germany and all over the world, for example in Belgium, Austria, Great Britain, France, the United States, Japan, Brazil, and Singapore. During the Third Reich, Degussa was involved with the crimes of the Nazi regime and the holocaust. One of Degussa's subsidiary companies delivered Zyklon B for the gasification in Nazi gas chambers in Auschwitz. In 2003, controversy and protests from Jewish groups arose about the involvement of Degussa in the construction of the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin, at which Degussa produced the anti-graffiti substance Pro-tectosil used to cover the funeral slabs in the memorial.

The Chemicals Business Area of Evonik Degussa Industries comprises six areas of operation: industrial chemicals, inorganic materials, consumer specialities, health and nutrition, coatings and additives, and performance polymers. The activities aim to develop the automotive industry, the plastics and rubber industry, the (bio)pharmaceutical industry, along with paint, varnish, sealing material, adhesives, bonding agents, and glue. Important trademarks held by the corporation include Aerosil, Agomet, Degalan, Deglas, Durferrit, Granuform, Luxalloy, Multivac, Paraglas, Prontex, Ultrasil, Wessalith.

Evonik Degussa invests in researching, developing, and marketing new nanomaterials and systems based on them, covering a broad range of applications in the fields of environmental protection, health, comfort and mobility. The nanoproduct range enfolds tailor-made products used in the optics, electronics, and coatings industries, such as aluminium oxide, cerium oxide, iron oxide zinc oxide or indium tin oxide. The ceramic membrane Separion improves lithium-ion batteries in hybrid vehicles, the ceramic wallcovering ccflex combines the properties of wallpapers and wall tiles, fine-particle titanium dioxide can make suntan lotion transparent [Page 142]and effective, and silicon dioxide can enhance digital images of inkjet printers. The company also intends to encourage discussion on the opportunities and risks of nanotechnology and to make information about nano-sciences more available to society.