Solidia is saving the world with their sustainable concrete and cement solutions. We love this company so much that we’ve blogged and podcasted about them before, and we’re interviewing them for our blog today.

Self-healing polymers are an artificially developed polymer that are capable of repairing damage to a variety of building materials on their own, without the need of human intervention.

Experts at Chemical Industry Digest argue that while the chemical industry is adopting environmentally friendly practices, true sustainability (and thus a secure future for the chemical industry) will only be achieved when businessowners and operators, scholars and other stakeholders embrace sustainability wholeheartedly and incorporate its principles into their business and teachings.

This embrace of sustainability requires a transformational shift in mindsets and attitudes from top management to virtually all employees and stakeholders in the chemical industry, including those involved in the entire manufacturing value chain—from suppliers to the end users.

If this shift occurs, it will drive innovation in chemistry and open up new vistas in business opportunities.

The Shift to Embracing Sustainability is Happening

Mosquitoes are responsible for spreading three of the deadliest insect-borne diseases in the world: malaria, dengue and yellow fever. Of these, malaria impacts the most people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 40% of the world’s population is at risk for malaria. Two of the most effective ways to protect oneself against insect-borne diseases are through proper insect repellent use and increased awareness across the globe.

Mounting demand for household detergents and personal care items is helping to push the worldwide market for surfactants, according to a new report from BCC Research. Surfactants are surface-active substances which are widely used to trim down the surface tension of any liquid and are particularly effective for cleaning.

Governments around the world rarely shy away from regulating industries, but regulation of the oleochemical industry is surprisingly sparse.

With hygiene at home, in hospitals or at the workplace seen as increasingly important for health and a disease-free environment, the global market for antiseptics and disinfectants are expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% through 2022, when the global market value could be worth $9.1 billion, according to an updated report from BCC Research.

In as little as a year, your food could be coming to the table thanks to MATS—a revolutionary food-preparation technology formally known as microwave assisted thermal sterilization.

The global market for adhesives is growing steadily thanks to a spate of new technologies, an uptick in demand and creative industrial applications. Leading the charge is the growing popularity of green adhesives, which emit fewer volatile organic compounds. They will continue to garner more attention and demand as industries will need to comply with environmental regulations, industrial emissions caps and water and wastewater regulations.

Green bananas, anyone? Dr. Seuss would be pleased.