“Sustainable chemistry is about maximising the benefits of chemistry while minimising possible side-effects” Pierre Barthélemy explained at the 1st International Green and Sustainable Chemistry Conference from 17-19 October 2019.
The European chemical industry applies integrated lifecycle thinking to adhere to this approach. This means looking at the whole product lifecycle – from packaging, to distribution and recycling – as well as taking environment, social and economic impacts into account. Cefic and its members go one step further by having committed themselves to the Cefic Sustainability Charter, an SDG roadmap towards a sustainable future. A roadmap with actions that lead up to a low-carbon, circular economy, which puts human health and the environment first.
“Sustainable chemistry requires robust, science-based methodologies to assess the impact of chemicals on health and the environment,” Barthélemy continued. To support this, Cefic provides funding to over 250 research projects via the Cefic Long-Range Research Initiative (LRI). Only through rigorous scientific investigation, it is possible to advance chemical assessment approaches and improve understanding of potential health and environmental risks.
As a key takeaway, Barthélemy reminded that business and sustainability are inseparable – Investing in research to design novel materials, processes and digital technologies that contribute to sustainability, are business models of the future that will keep the chemical sector growing. Being sustainable does not rule out being innovative and competitive, but rather the other way around.