Traditional fossil fuel consumption patterns will not assure a sustainable development and growth of the industry. This is why in this article emphasis is put on the facts and options of the process industries to stabilise or reduce their CO2 greenhouse gas emissions. A radical increase of energy efficiency by
developing and applying new energy efficient process technologies, and an increasing use of alternative fuels are challenging targets. A "revolutionary" chemistry, enforced by nano scale scientific methods and technologies, has already made its appearance and will probably bring about new solutions. The fast progressing knowledge and control of the complex molecular structure and behaviour of materials is leading to the production of totally new "breakthrough" catalysts. Cost effective CO2 sequestration methods could complement the foregoing solutions in the future. The complexity of the problems
and the costs of R&D programs are requiring more than ever partnerships and teamwork of different entities, organisations and disciplines. Also, sustainable development on a world scale will not be possible without the participation of the developing countries in the progress of science and technology. René Aga, Dr.Sc., has written this article & it has been published in the magazine INGENIERIA QUIMICA, Nr. 400, May 2003.