Sustainability through chemistry

The three main documents prepared by the European Technology Platform on Sustainable Chemistry (Vision Paper, Strategic Research Agenda, and Implementation Action Plan they can be download free from cited ETP SusChem web site) evidence how sustainability through chemistry (probably a better definition than sustainable chemistry) requires a far more concerted and integrated effort than only a greener chemistry, which, nevertheless, is a core part of this vision. 

One of the major drivers for this change is fierce competition from emerging countries, vrhere large quantity production is cheaper and potentially more fiexible. New competitive business models should be thus based on novel manufacturing technologies and a holistic approach to process development, vhere sustainability through chemistry, safety and respect of the environment are the driver for innovation and not the elements slowing do vn the development, the cultural model that has often dominated the business in the past. 

The final section of this chapter has been dedicated to a concise discussion of a vision and roadmap for sustainability through chemistry, taken from the implementation action plan prepared by the European Technology Platform on Sustainable Chemistry. This plan evidences the pervasive role of chemistry for our society and thus how a next step is necessary in R D to really realize a sustainable world through chemistry innovation. 

This book is thus organized in three parts. The first five chapters discuss the principles and tools needed to realize a sustainable industrial chemistry. Chapter 1 discusses the general principles and emphasizes the differences between green and sustainable industrial chemistry approaches. It is also an introductory chapter to the topic. Chapter 2 discusses the role of catalysis as a main enabling factor to achieve sustainability through chemistry. Several examples of homogeneous, heterogeneous and biocatalysis are discussed, with emphasis on industrial aspects, to provide a comprehensive view of the possibilities offered by this tool. 

Lankey, Rebecca L., and Paul Anastas. Advancing Sustainability through Green Chemistry and Engineering. New York Oxford University Press, 2002. 

The goal of green chemistry is to reduce the hazards associated with products and processes that are essential not only to maintain the quality of life achieved by society through chemistry, but also to further advance the technical achievements of chemistry, and to do so in a sustainable manner. Reduction of risk is a beneficial result of green chemistry. Risk can be summarized in simple terms as the product of the hazard of a particular substance and the exposure to that substance ... 

Anastas PT, Lankey RL (2002) In Lankey RL, Anastas PT (eds) Advancing sustainability through green chemistry and engineering. ACS Symp Ser 823 1... 

G. D. Thompson, T. C. Sparks, in Advancing Sustainability through Green Chemistry and Engeneering(Eds. 

R.L. Lankey, and P.T. Anastas (Eds.), Advancing Sustainability Through Green Chemistry and Engineering, ACS Symposium Series 823, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC (2002). 

Anastas, P. T. and Lankey, R. L., Sustainability through green chemistry and engineering, ACS Symp. Series, 823 1-11, 2002. 

Anonymous, Promoting sustainability through green chemistry, Chem. Week, 165(24) 14, 2003. 

Wool RP, Khot SN, Lascala JJ, Bunker SP, Lu J, Thielemans W (2002) Affordable composites and plastics from renewable resources Part II Manufacture of composites. Advancing sustainability through green chemistry and engineering. ACS Symp Ser 823 205-224 Xie F, Pollet E, Halleya PJ, Averous L (2013) Starch-based nano-biocomposites. Prog Polym Sci 38 1590-1628... 

Participation in various proposals for European Network of Excellence with specific aim to link this network activity to ICS-UNIDO initiative in EDPs. Example of such proposals is chemistry for sustainability through the use of renewable materials and biotechnology. 

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