The chemical industry works to develop cleaner and safer technologies, waste-recycling processes and new products to safeguard the environment (biotechnology processes, catalysts, membranes, desulphurisation plants, etc.). One aspect is increased energy efficiency. In addition to increasing the energy efficiency of its own processes, the chemical industry also helps to increase the energy efficiency of downstream users and their products through innovative inputs Between 1990 and 2005, production in the EU chemical industry (including pharmaceuticals) rose by 60%, while total energy consumption was rather stable and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions fell by almost 30%.