When developing innovative chemical products, Merck addresses the diverse environmental and social challenges of a globalized world. Merck supplies specialty chemicals that play a key role in helping our customers save energy and resources, enabling them to help protect the climate and the environment.
Information and communicationThe liquid crystals used in computer monitors and televisions not only ensure high picture quality – they also consume less energy per unit of surface area than cathode ray tube devices and plasma screens. With our innovative materials for PS-VA technology (polymer-stabilized vertical alignment), we have paved the way for the next generation of liquid crystal displays (LCDs). This technology offers even better energy efficiency, as the backlighting can be significantly reduced. We thus assist our customers in producing eco-friendly LC displays, and we also help them create eco-friendly production processes.
Light sourcesModern light sources such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and organic light-emitting diodes
(OLEDs) are key technologies that will make it possible to decrease the energy consumption of lighting. In addition, the “Go green” products equipped with LEDs do not contain mercury – a significant contribution to environmental protection.
PhotovoltaicsIn the future, the slogan “Working with Sunshine™” will stand for all activities at Merck related to photovoltaics. We would like to strengthen our efforts in this important field of sustainable energy generation in the future.
With Solarpur®, Merck has developed a coating that increases the transmission of the protective glass on photovoltaic modules, enabling more light to be converted into electricity. In organic photovoltaics we are aiming to replace solar silicon, which is expensive and consumes a great deal of energy during production, with plastic. If this breakthrough is achieved, the production costs for solar cells could fall significantly and solar cells could become a mass product. We are developing and marketing printable, electrically active polymers under the brand name lisicon® for the production of lightweight, flexible and cost-efficient solar cells.
Merck is participating in the research initiative “Organic Photovoltaics”, an excellence cluster that was launched by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, BMBF). The aim is to achieve a significant increase in the efficiency of organic solar cells.
Energy storageEnergy storage is a key aspect in the utilization of renewable energies and new technologies for generating energy. In the future, international climate protection efforts will lead to a steep increase in demand for high-voltage and high-performance lithium-ion batteries. It is estimated that by 2020, about 15% of all vehicles in Germany will be powered by electricity. Stationary energy storage in combination with photovoltaic units, as well as hybrid vehicles, place high demands on the batteries used and the corresponding battery materials. Merck participates in various research consortia working to develop new electrolytic materials. The aim is to improve the performance and service life of lithium-ion batteries, thereby significantly increasing storage capacities.
Together with the University of Freiburg, in November 2010 we launched a project to develop and produce new battery materials. In a jointly run concept laboratory, we are working to develop fundamentally new conductive salts for lithium-ion batteries to power hybrid and electric cars.
In 2010, Merck joined the research initiative “IL-WIND development of ionic liquid-based lubricants for wind turbines” launched by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The challenge here is to develop innovative lubricants for wind turbines based on ionic liquids to increase their performance. As the project consortium leader, Merck is contributing its extensive expertise in the development of ionic liquids.
