Abstract

“Chemistry” i.e. the science, industry, and sector including downstream users is indispensible for a high standard of living and health. Therefore, chemistry in it various facets is one of the most important building blocs for a more sustainable future. Based on long lasting issues related to chemicals and such as environmental pollution came into force in the 1980ies and 1990ies including EC Council Directive 96/61/EC introduced 12 key points to reduce use of resources, generation of waste, toxic constituents of products, energy demand, long term effects onto the atmosphere, intoxication of humans and the environment. The 12 principles of green chemistry (GC) were published in 1998.

Whilst these were important steps forward, they are by far not sufficient for a circular economy (CE) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Circulation and recycling of materials and products have their own inherent limitations e.g. because of the laws of thermodynamics. Both GC and CE are not aiming to reduce total substance, material and product flows. On top of this, many products cannot be recycled at all. Examples are personal care products, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, detergents but also abrasions from surfaces and emissions from products. They all end up in the environment unavoidably because of their use. Such products and their molecular constituents must be designed for fulfilling their service and complete and fast mineralization after fulfilling their service and ending up in the environment – “benign by design”.

Resources are often extracted in developing countries. The added value, however, is gained in the industrially developed countries. This practice is unethical and in contradiction to a sustainable development and many of the SDGs. Within the broader framework of sustainability and as for urgently needed contributions of chemistry to the SDGs in a sustainable manner a broader framework is needed-sustainable chemistry (SC). According to SC chemists together with products designers have to ask first for the service and function needed before recommending the application of certain chemical product: Chemistry for what, for whom and why, not as an end in itself. Alternative business models are of interest here.  SC aims reducing total substance, material, and product flows all along their life cycle as for size, diversity and complexity. SC is inter and trans disciplinary and emphasizes the importance of systems thinking which must be included into research, education, and industrial practice at all levels.