A Roadmap Towards Sustainable Chemical Products and Processes for Switzerland

Kathrin Fenner,Fabrice Gallou

doi:10.2533/chimia.2021.697

Abstract

Pollution of the environment with man-made chemicals is an issue of increasing concern with scientists, society and legislators. Environmental chemistry and (eco-)toxicology research provide evidence for the disruptive effects that many chemicals have on ecosystem and human health. Involved scientists also point out that problems recognized some 30 years ago (e.g., with persistent organic pollutants) continue, while the market is flooded with new chemicals that exhibit similar properties or even raise new concerns [1-3]. In light of this, one may question the impact the “12 principles of green chemistry” have had, which John Warner and Paul Anastas had formulated in 1998 to guide chemical research and industry towards greener chemical processes and products [4].

Highlights

Fabrice Gallou is responsible for global scientific activities in the Chemical Development group at Novartis, Switzerland, overseeing development and implementation of practical and economical chemical processes for large scale production of small molecules APIs and other new modalities
The sense of urgency has increased, with society by large recognizing and agreeing on the fact that chemical industry must move towards sustainable business and consumption models that are significantly more environmentally benign, and that it must do so fast as consumption and use of chemicals continues to speed up.[5]An increasing number of industry commitments towards green and sustainable chemistry, either as part of corporate social responsibility programs or large initiatives (e.g. Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) research projects iPiE, ChEM21,[6] PREMIER) has, been matched with clear agenda setting at the EU political level in 2020
We would like to take the opportunity of the 75th anniversary of CHIMIA, the journal who has witnessed and communicated most of that development in Switzerland, to highlight the unique opportunity and obligation we have as a scientific community to reflect on how the specific Swiss industrial and academic environment could be leveraged to move towards more sustainable chemical products and processes, and what immediate steps need to be taken to move into that direction

Summary

Introduction

A Roadmap Towards Sustainable Chemical Products and Processes for Switzerland Fabrice Gallou is responsible for global scientific activities in the Chemical Development group at Novartis, Switzerland, overseeing development and implementation of practical and economical chemical processes for large scale production of small molecules APIs and other new modalities.

Results

Conclusion