Natural resources are being consumed at an increasing rate to maintain the living standards of the growing population. Effective solutions are needed for improved sustainability in the use of natural resources and the adoption of new materials and technologies. These efforts are taking place on multiple fronts. Finland´s national natural resource strategy published in 2009 represents a new line of thinking, which in now being rapidly implemented.

The sustainable use of the natural resources is one of the focal areas of Responsible Care in the 2010s. The programme provides the companies involved a comprehensive operating model for improving their energy and material efficiency and offering their customers sustainable solutions that conserve natural resources.

The sustainable use of natural resources in the chemical industry can also lead to the development of new business. For instance, chemical industry solutions for the management of biological material, minerals and water can provide national breakthroughs in this development. Effective solutions for the recycling of nutrients and materials, water purification and the production of biofuels and energy have already emerged