The Aula Química del Nalón de Química Circular y Sostenible, of Nalonchem (Quimica del Nalon) and the University of Oviedo, held on the afternoon of 4 February 2025 the I Symposium on Sustainable Chemistry, in a packed Hall of the Faculty of Chemistry.
The scientific meeting was attended by the outstanding researcher Professor Dr. Robert Schlögl, president of the prestigious Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany, an expert in catalysis and sustainable energy. His career includes fundamental contributions in the research of materials for the conversion of chemical energy, so his intervention will allow to deepen in the trends and advances of the German chemical industry in the resolution of the challenges associated with decarbonisation.
Professor Schlögl stated that the increase in CO2 is critical and is not going to go down and that, in order to try to stop it rising, it is necessary to focus on what contributes most, and that is transport.
He also stated that the main challenge is energy, both in terms of availability and the cost of energy. As far as Spain is concerned, he believes that the energy mix for generating electricity in Spain is adequate and that there is no need to increase renewable energies further because this would make the total cost more expensive.
With regard to renewables, Professor Schlögl identified their storage as a critical challenge and said that renewables should be used to produce hydrogen and then ammonia, which is the most efficient form of concentration.
At the inauguration, Salvador Ordóñez García, director of the Aula Química del Nalón de Química Circular y Sostenible, of Química del Nalón and of the University of Oviedo, intervened. As well as Javier Borge Álvarez, dean of the Faculty of Chemistry, who – in his first public act after being recently elected – stated that he valued the Aula for what it has as an example of an essential relationship between university and business. He also pledged to continue incorporating undergraduate students, not just Master’s students, to participate in this type of high-level scientific and technical conference.
The general manager of Química del Nalón, Javier Fernández González, after a presentation with the company’s key data, explained the importance of innovation in the company to address challenges that improve people’s lives. He explained how Química del Nalón develops circular chemistry with commitment and its passion is to grow, adapting its traditional activities and developing new businesses, with a triple strategy: digital transformation, organic growth and diversification and sustainability.
Emilio Sanchez Cortezón, manager of Nalón Innova-Nalontech, presented the itinerary of the Aula Química del Nalón de Química Circular y Sostenible, of Química del Nalón and the University of Oviedo, as well as its objectives, expectations and next steps to achieve them.
The 1st Symposium on Sustainable Chemistry of the Classroom was also attended by the Asturian professor Beatriz Roldán Cuenya, director of the Fritz-Haber Institute in Berlin and member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Química del Nalón, renowned for her research on nano-materials and electrocatalysis for the conversion of clean energy, who will enrich the debate on new trends in sustainable chemistry.
Strengthening the historical relationship with the University
Química del Nalón reinforced its historical relationship with research at the University of Oviedo and the management and promotion of entrepreneurial and scientific talent in Asturias by creating, in April 2024, the Química del Nalón Institutional Classroom for circular and sustainable chemistry, with the aim of contributing to the knowledge and promotion of R&D&I in the field of circular and sustainable chemical processes.
The Aula Química del Nalón de Química Circular y Sostenible, of Química del Nalón and the University of Oviedo, promotes the holding of research dissemination conferences related to R&D&I in circular and sustainable chemical processes; it stimulates the development of research lines and departmental projects and promotes talent and academic excellence in this field.