A place in the sun - German Federation for applied Photocatalysis (FAP) launched

13-May-2011 - Germany

The newly founded German Federation for applied photocatalysis (FAP) is a platform for companies from the pigments, coatings and construction materials industries. FAP wants to raise the awareness of customers and public policy makers towards photocatalysis by way of critical discussion and contribute to the distribution of photocatalytic applications.

The German Federation for applied Photocatalysis (FAP) is an initiative of members of Verband der Mineralfarbenindustrie e.V. (German association of producers of pigments, fillers, functional additives, food colorants and others). The 13 founding companies of FAP represent the pigment-, construction materials and coatings industries. FAP, which has the status of a new sector group within VdMi, is structured in three departments: (1) coordination & research, (2) communication & public relations, (3) technology & environment. Chairmen of these departments are the FAP board members Dr. Stephan Peter Blöß (KRONOS INTERNATIONAL, Inc.), Milan Wilhelm Krumbe (SACHTLEBEN Chemie GmbH) and Dr. Wolfram Maier (Saint-Gobain Weber GmbH).

Joint objectives and further actions were defined in the FAP start-up meeting: FAP wants to explore novel photocatalytic applications and aims to accelerate research and development in this field in cooperation with the scientific community. Making the complex phenomenon “photocatalysis” more fully understandable to customers and public institutions is another focus of FAP.

The effects of photoactive surfaces are due to special catalyst particles, which are introduced into materials and coatings. With the help of light energy, these particles decompose environmentally harmful nitrogen oxides, organic compounds (the cause of off-odors or dirt and biological soiling) and bio films (bacteria, algae, fungi) into harmless substances. Many applications for photocatalytic construction materials and coatings arise from these effects. They can help to improve the room climate and decrease the amount of nitrogen oxides in areas with heavy traffic. Furthermore, photoactive surfaces stay clean longer.

FAP wants to provide better information about photocatalysis whose applications can make valuable contributions to our quality of life.

FAP Members: BASF SE, Chemische Fabrik Budenheim KG, Dachziegelwerke Nelskamp GmbH, Erlus AG, Evonik Degussa GmbH, F. C. Nüdling Betonelemente GmbH + Co. KG, GXC Coatings GmbH, HeidelbergCement AG, KEIMFARBEN GmbH & Co. KG, KRONOS INTERNATIONAL Inc., NADICO Technologie GmbH, Rockwood Pigments (Brockhues GmbH & Co. KG), SACHTLEBEN Chemie GmbH, Saint-Gobain Weber GmbH, Sto AG.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/132442/a-place-in-the-sun-german-federation-for-applied-photocatalysis-fap-launched.html