Ecologische herstructurering van de chemische industrie

Samenvatting

Ecological Restructuring and the Chemical Industry. Environmental considerations often trigger processes of transformation and continuity in modern society. This article examines social change induced by environmental considerations. It focusses on two subjects. First, it brings the environment back into social theory by elaborating on the concepts of ecological rationality and the ecological sphere, and it also looks into the theory of ecological modernization. Secondly, these analytical ‘tools’ are used to investigate processes of ecological restructuring in the chemical industry. Both the magnitude of environment-induced reform in the chemical industry as the relevant actors and mechanisms involved in this transformation process are emphasized.