As part of a global initiative, the National Cleaner Production Centre of South Africa (NCPC-SA), in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and the Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering at Yale University, hosted a workshop on green chemistry, in Pretoria, this week.

This was the first workshop to raise awareness about green chemistry to be held on African soil.

Green chemistry entails thinking differently about how chemistry and chemical engineering can be done to improve safety, sustainability and efficacy.

“[Green chemistry] emulates nature by using renewable materials that biodegrade easily in the environment and focuses on the inherent nature and properties of chemicals, materials, products, processes and systems, incorporating elements of chemistry, engineering, biology, toxicology and environmental science,” the NCPC-SA highlighted.

The workshop aimed to raise awareness about green chemistry, its role in society and opportunities in various research areas. It explained the transformational role of catalysis on industry and the associated material and energy benefits. 

Other objectives of the workshop included the assessment of the impacts of solvent use and to identify green chemistry alternative solvent systems and their benefits; the advantages and disadvantages of various process feedstocks; discussing ways to reduce or eliminate waste and identify its potential as a feedstock; and to review examples of green chemistry successes in industry and by small businesses.

“The workshop was a crucial step in laying the foundation for transformative chemical engineering practices. It served to highlight the need for chemists and engineers to bring their research and innovations in support of green industry, out of the laboratory and into the boardroom,” said NCPC-SA director Ndivhuho Raphulu.

He added that the workshop targeted the scientific community, as well as industry players. The programme included discussions on chemistry in society, specifically in the health, transportation, communication and economic spheres.

“We looked at the unintended consequences of doing the right things in the wrong way, for example, the use of pesticides in food production, and water purification using lethal substances,” Raphulu pointed out.

Moreover, delegates at the workshop reviewed the 12 principles of green chemistry as developed by Yale University Professor Paul Anastas – a key speaker at the workshop and known as the “father of green chemistry”.

The 12 principles enable scientists and engineers to create innovative ways to reduce waste, conserve energy and discover replacements for hazardous substances.

“In South Africa, we have made some strides in promoting and implementing resource-efficient and cleaner production practices – from saving energy and water, reducing and reusing waste, to improving lifeycle management skills.

“We support green business entrepreneurship and the use of sustainable consumption and production practices to generate growth, create jobs and reduce poverty,” Raphulu said.

He concluded that the green chemistry project is a natural and necessary progression in the NCPC-SA’s mission to contribute to sustainable and responsible industrial development and a competitive South Africa.