6 minute read
RAHUL KOUL
PRIORITIZING FOR A HIGHER GOOD
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Green chemistry, also known as sustainable chemistry, is an area of chemistry and chemical engineering focused on the design of products and processes that minimize or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. Green chemistry focuses on the environmental impact of chemistry, including reducing the consumption of nonrenewable resources and technological approaches for preventing pollution.
The overarching goals of green chemistry—namely, more resource-efficient and inherently safer design of molecules, materials, products, and processes— can be pursued in a wide range of contexts.
Important examples of green chemistry
include: phasing out the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in refrigerants, which have played a role in creating the ozone hole; developing more efficient ways of making pharmaceuticals, including the well-known painkiller ibuprofen and chemotherapy drug Taxol; and developing cheaper, more efficient solar cells.
Industries across several sectors use hazardous chemicals and chemical processes and leave behind pollutants that get discharged in land and water. The chemical reactions during many pro-
cesses release toxic chemicals, resulting in smog, ozone depletion, basically the planet at large. Taking cognizance of several issues, many companies have started taking the ‘green chemistry’ approach.
However, there’s a long way to go for government agencies and companies to take green chemistry seriously. To increase the research in this field, we need to publicize the needs, effects, and practice of green chemistry. Currently, green chemistry research in India is confined mainly to areas of greener synthetic strategies, catalyst development, usage of bio-catalysis, usage of non-conventional technologies, and analytical techniques.
Green Strategies
Indian scientists are mainly concentrating on avoiding environmentally noncompatible reagents, solid-phase syntheses, modification of synthetic routes to decrease the number of steps and increase overall yield, usage of newer catalysts and simplification of classical procedures of reaction. However, what is required is a combined approach for a greener synthesis.
Reagent chemists in India are working towards the development of more benign and selective reagents that require ambient conditions. The elimination of hazardous solvents is one of the prime concerns among them. Enzymes have emerged as biotechnological tools, which can offer solutions to the major problems of the chemical industry in India. Over the years, chemists in India are engaged in the enhancement of an application base of enzymes to develop new alternative sweeteners such as high fructose corn.
Future Outlook
The global green chemicals market is recording high growth in emerging economies such as India, China, Brazil, Russia, and Indonesia. Many manufacturers of green chemicals are shifting their manufacturing operations to these countries due to factors such as availability of land, economical labour, low transportation costs, and favourable regulations promoting the use of green chemicals. These markets are also characterized by increased spending on pharmaceuticals, automobiles, electronics and electricals, and consumer goods. Therefore, the global green chemicals market is expected to grow significantly in emerging economies during the forecast period. A report by Technavio predicts the green chemicals market is expected to grow by US $ 50.38 billion during 2019-2023.
The key segments such as bio alcohols, biopolymers, bio-organic acids, and bio-ketones are expected to register good growth. Indian manufacturers have started investing in R&D and implementing green methods to produce non-toxic chemicals. The textile chemical producers have likewise understood the significance of moving towards biodegradable options and have started to put resources into the advancement of bio-auxiliaries and applications of probiotics to produce alternative biochemicals. It is observed among the industry that the companies that invested in Zero Liquid Discharge before it was made compulsory. These have gained huge returns in terms of quality and cost compared to those that did not act on time.
Rahul Koul
FOR FUTURE GROWTH
As the chemical industry evolves into the world’s solution providers for modern global challenges, its obligation to adhere to sustainable principles and practices becomes even more important
The chemical sector is a partner, innovation enabler and solutions provider to essentially all sectors of the economy. The scale and diversity of the industry provide it with widespread opportunities to contribute to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
The chemical sector creates an immense variety of products that interact with virtually every aspect of our lives. While many products from the industry, such as detergents, soaps and perfumes, are purchased directly by the consumer, others are used as intermediates to support the development of other products such as food, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. The complexities of the industry are broadly highlighted in the figure below. The industry uses a wide range of raw materials, from air and plants to minerals and oil. With increasing competition worldwide, innovation remains crucial to finding new ways for the industry to satisfy its increasingly sophisticated, demanding and environmentally-conscious market.
The chemical sector can contribute to achieving the 17 SDGs adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. These goals are integrated and
“The chemistry enterprise has a broad reach into technology, the economy, and human health, and there are already many ways chemists are working to support Sustainability Development Goals” “Achieving the SDGs requires the partnership of governments, the private sector, civil society and citizens alike to make sure we leave a better planet for future generations”
recognize that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability.
Understanding the chemical sector and how it relates to the SDGs
The chemical sector is a US $4 trillion global business, employing more than 20 million people directly and indirectly. Today’s world – from the food we consume, the way we travel, the clothes we wear, and the technology we harness – depends on the products of the chemical industry. Through the responsible production, use, and management of chemicals, the chemical sector can support the SDGs through innovative products and practices that minimize negative impacts, protect the environment, promote social progress, and support economic growth.
The roadmap sets out to explore how the chemical sector can contribute to achieving the SDGs through more effectively managing its operational footprint, working with others to enhance capacities along the value chain, and leveraging its expertise and innovation to unlock new business opportunities that are aligned with the SDGs. This will require action to minimize any adverse aspects while maximizing positive impact. The chemical sector at large is a supplier of products and services to every other industry. Due to this, the roadmap is not an exhaustive overview, but instead describes areas where the chemical sector is uniquely suited to make a considerable and lasting impact.
Future Outlook
India being a diverse manufacturing base for the chemical industry, has immense potential to become a global supplier. Therefore, a sustainable supply chain for the sector has become vital. With initiatives like “Make in India”, reforming labour laws, easing the land acquisition rules and GST, India is on the brink of becoming a manufacturing hub for the world. Globalization has made supply chains more complex. Therefore, the joint initiative of ‘Together for Sustainability by global chemical companies has been introduced to encourage Indian chemical manufacturers and suppliers to implement sustainability practices in their management and manufacturing systems. This initiative aims to establish benchmarks that will create a sustainable supply chain. The member companies of this initiative, have assigned their resources to build up a worldwide program to audit and evaluate suppliers under pre-defined criteria regarding management, environment, health and safety, labour and human rights, and governance issues.
Rahul Koul
