International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre

We transform chemistry

Our Vision:

Sustainable Chemistry for a Sustainable World

Sustainable Chemistry facilitates the needs of the present – without compromising the ecological, social and economic needs of future generations.

The chemical industry and downstream sectors using chemicals and materials touch nearly every manufacturing and service sector worldwide and are deeply connected with humanities way of living. The transformation towards sustainability is key to meet existential global challenges like e.g., climate change, inequality, scarcity of resources. The approach of Sustainable Chemistry connects a circular economy with multifaceted aspects of sustainability and changes stakeholder behavior.

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Explore the World of Sustainable Chemistry

Key Characteristics

Discover the ten Key Characteristics of Sustainable Chemistry.

Sustainable Chemistry extends beyond product lifecycles to incorporate system-wide thinking that reduces environmental and health impacts while advancing social responsibility.

Key Characteristics

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ISC3 Event Calendar

Cooperation and knowledge exchange across actors and sectors are key to facilitating a transformation towards Sustainable Chemistry. Explore opportunities to learn, exchange, and interact at events in the world of Sustainable Chemistry. Join the community.

ISC3 Event Calendar

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ISC3 Trainings

The ISC3 created and collected various on-demand trainings, self-paced online learning courses, study courses and an online library for you to dive into. The ISC3 will constantly extend its Training portfolio. Check out our trainings.

ISC3 Trainings

What's new?

Start Up of the Month

Spark e-Fuels

German start-up Spark e-Fuels is helping the aviation industry move toward more sustainable flight by developing a new, energy-efficient method to produce synthetic aviation fuels. The company’s technology uses renewable electricity directly from off-grid locations, making e-fuel production more efficient and affordable while avoidi...

Date: 08.01.2026

Join us in Dresden, Germany for the 10th Green and Sustainable Chemistry Conference

We look forward to welcoming you to back to Dresden for a high-level and inspiring program which will explore inter- and transdisciplinary aspects of green and Sustainable Chemistry.
More information here.

Date: 18.05.2026

ISC3 Launches Innovation Challenge 2026

The International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3) has launched the ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2026. The seventh edition once again invites innovators, entrepreneurs, start-ups and research teams worldwide to submit groundbreaking ideas in the field of Sustainable Chemistry. This year, the international start-up competitio...

Date: 07.01.2026

Featured Content

Peter Nierhoff

Sustainable Chemistry Start-Ups Shine at Impact Festival

From cutting-edge chemical recycling and more sustainable polymers to renewable fuels, clean energy technologies, and low-carbon construction materials, the most promising innovators in Sustainable Chemistry pitched their ideas at the final of the ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2025. The 6th edition of the International Sustainable Chemistry C...

ISC3

Corporate Challenge

The ISC3 Corporate Challenge’s goal is to find solutions for specific industry problems and promote innovation and collaboration among changemakers in the field of Sustainable Chemistry. For this, the ISC3 cooperates with a partner from industry that is looking to improve their sustainability performance by enhancing a part of their va...

Who we are

ISC3 is an international centre that fosters the transition of the chemical and chemical-related sectors to Sustainable Chemistry, promoting a circular economy that is striving to implement multifaceted aspects of sustainability at every step of the life cycle of products and changing all stakeholder behaviour. Therefore, the centre takes a multi-stakeholder approach, targeting policymakers, the public and private sectors, academia and civil society. ISC3 contributes globally to international chemicals policy, professional and academic trainings, advisory services, innovation, entrepreneurship and research.

GIZ

What we do

The ISC3 facilitates the transformation towards Sustainable Chemistry as a major contribution to achieving the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By promoting cross-sectoral dialogue and collaboration, the ISC3 helps to inspire decision-makers for sustainable values and raises awareness for the responsible use of chemicals and the potential of sustainable innovation - in business, politics and science.

Oleg Ditkovskiy

Sustainability & Innovation

Knowledge management and information dissemination on Sustainable Chemistry innovation, policies and research are important cross-sectional tasks of the ISC3. To support a better understanding of and a sound discussion on Sustainable Chemistry as a solution provider for sustainable development and a key contribution to a pollution free planet, the ISC3 acts as a knowledge and dialogue platform. Events, conferences and exhibitions are key elements to spread the word and invite all stakeholder groups to join the discussion and share insights from all over the world.

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Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Innovative solutions to combat and prevent pollution in the areas of mobility, energy, urbanisation, and agriculture very often originate in the chemical sector and mostly stem from its research community and start-up companies. Examples are fossil fuel substitutes, new energy storage systems and new construction and insulation materials. However, it is not easy to bring innovative solutions to the market. The ISC3 Innovation Hub hosted by DECHEMA e.V. initiates and supports sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship in the chemical and chemicals-related sectors.

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Research

Emerging concepts and hot topics of research in Sustainable Chemistry are monitored with regard to possible future Sustainable Chemistry solutions in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Long term consequences and possible rebound effects of the processes, technologies and specific solutions proposed by...

Leuphana

Academic Education

In close collaboration with the ISC3 Research & Education Hub, Leuphana University has developed globally unique academic programmes that integrate Sustainable Chemistry into higher and continuing education. These offerings combine scientific, managerial, and interdisciplinary perspectives to prepare professionals for leading the chemical sector’s transformation toward sustainability and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

GIZ

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Capacity Development

Capacity Development is a central pillar of ISC3’s work. We support focus and partner countries in advancing Sustainable Chemistry by strengthening individual, organisational and systemic capacities. Our approach goes beyond stand-alone training sessions. ISC3 understands Capacity Development as a long-term, integrated process that links learning and education and is embedded in national strategies, policies and innovation systems.

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Policy

The Policy and Stakeholder Dialogue is an important part of ISC3's daily work and activities, as decision makers play a key role in fighting climate change, poverty, hunger, pollution and many other societal and environmental needs. The overarching goal of the ISC3 is to raise awareness of Sustainable Chemistry among decision makers across actors and sectors on national, regional, and international level.

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Strategic Alliances

The Strategic Alliances team builds on the Centre’s expertise to mobilise new support and innovative partnerships for Sustainable Chemistry. Its mission is to position Sustainable Chemistry as a key enabling field of knowledge for tackling the triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, while connecting it to broader transformation processes such as the circular economy, safe and sustainable by design innovation, sustainable supply chains, and the bioeconomy.

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Trainings

Driving change through broadcasting knowledge on Sustainable Chemistry. One major key to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is the transformation to Sustainable Chemistry. The chemical sector consumes 10% of the world's total energy and contributes to 8% of greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time 90% of global production depends on chemical products. The chemical industry and downstream sectors using chemicals and materials touch nearly every manufacturing and service sector worldwide and are deeply connected with humanity's way of living. That is why it is essential to learn more about how the chemical sector can become sustainable.

Join Us

Present your work or your institution and its achievements to others and find busines partners and likeminded persons all around the planet.

Become an entrepreneur in the transformation of the chemical sector towards Sustainable Shemistry.

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International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre

Our Vision:

Sustainable Chemistry for a Sustainable World