They stand out for their thermal stability, safety and lower levels of environmental pollution

Promote a more sustainable chemistry and safer is now possible thanks to the development of many technologies and the emergence of new products such as salts of liquid ions, which offer many advantages from the environmental point of view. So what has been said Francesc Rosell, business manager of the Chemical Sector of Merck, in the first days of chemistry sustainable, innovative enterprises and competitive, a meeting organized jointly by the Association of chemical of the IQS and the Spanish platform for sustainable chemistrysponsored by Merck Spain.

Among its main attributes is the fact that its under the pressure of steam produce less pollution than other volatile organic solvents evaporation important environmental advantage that this represents. In addition, non-flammable nature reduces the risk of fire and its conductive nature makes them suitable materials in electrochemical technologies. All these features allow the design of the solvents ideals in the synthesis of compounds with multiple applications both in the chemical industry, as in the field of electricity or biotechnology (solvents, battery cells, catalysts, lubricants, sensors and batteries).

Currently, Merck offers an extensive portfolio of salts of liquid ions, with more than 250 products catalogue and continues to research and develop liquid ions salts adapted to the specific needs of each customer through multiple combinations. "Liquid ions salts can be adjusted to the requirements of each process in particular, that features such as its point of fusion, viscosity, density or hydrophobicity can vary with a simple change in the molecular design", said Rosell.

The economic results of the chemical sector have been very positive and the latest data indicate that this area of business has generated 30 percent of the total income of the Group Merck KgaA. As for revenues, increased an 8.7 per cent organic (1.8 per cent after the change of currency), reaching the 2,150 million euros. By divisions, the liquid crystals has increased its income 14% organic (2.3 per cent after the change of currency) to 916 million euros in 2007. Investment in r & d in 2007, for its part, has grown by about 18% driven by the development of materials in liquid crystals and projects Oled. With regard to the Performance & Life Science Chemicals Division, revenues have increased in 2007 1.5 percent, 1.235 billion euros

The chemical sector is one of those increased resources dedicated to the protection of the environment in Spain, accumulating the fifth part of the investment and business expenses, according to data from the environment-BCSD Foundation Spain and the Permanent Forum of chemistry and society. In addition, Spanish chemical sector generates 10 percent of the gross Industrial product and more than 500,000 direct and indirect jobs, with a turnover close to 50 billion euros. Companies engaged in foreign markets more than 50 per cent of the production, placing as the second largest exporter of the economy Spanish - 20 billion euros per year - after the automotive industry.

Francesc Rosell, Manager of business of the Sector chemist of Merck, in the first days of chemistry sustainable, innovative and competitive companies.