Page 68 - Catalysing Chemicals WIP (Version 2.0) FINAL ARTWORK.cdr

Growing Responsibly

The US Academy of Engineering research in catalytic green processes
outlined 14 “Grand Challenges” for the such as renewable energy, water
21st Century including advancing splitting, hydrogen production, bio
health informatics; engineering better mass conversion and many more.
medicines, making solar energy more
Globally, the chemical sector is
affordable; providing access to clean
water; providing clean energy from contributing to the United Nations
fusion; developing new methods of Environment Program through two
reducing CO2 emissions and reducing key initiatives - Responsible Care and
the carbon foot print and restoring the Global Product Strategy. These are
and improving urban infrastructure. being driven under the UNEP's
Most of these Grand Challenges will be Strategic Approach to International
addressed by chemistry. Chemistry is a Chemicals Management (SAICM) to
ensure that by 2020 chemicals are
creative science essential for clean
technology, sustainability, prosperity produced and used in ways that
and most importantly, sustainable minimize significant adverse impacts
development. on the environment and human
health.
Chemistry has always been and will
increasingly become an indispensable Almost 40 Indian companies hold the
part of human life, accelerating Responsible Care logo, while 120 are
sustainable development, controlling signatories to the program. Under this
and curing diseases, increasing program, companies are encouraged
agricultural productivity, solving to adopt and pursue 6 Codes of
management practice i.e. product
development challenges for nations.
Chemistry continues to make the stewardship code; process safety code;
world a safer place. Unfortunately, employee health & safety code;
chemicals, if used irresponsibly, can pollution prevention code; emergency
cause adverse effects on human health response and communication code;
and environmental integrity. There and Distribution code.
has thus been an ever growing Growing responsibly, chemical
concern about the adverse impact of companies have aligned their business
chemicals on sustainable development
goals with sustainable development
and human health.
goals. Their growth objectives have
In a highly charged environment, been catalyzed by safe manufacturing
and driven by safe transportation.
Chemical companies across the world
have been ensuring that chemicals are Partnerships with suppliers to ensure
used safely and responsibly. Globally, a sustainable and ethical supply chain
leading chemical companies adopted form key strategic initiatives.
sustainable manufacturing processes Chemical companies have, under
over two decades ago. They have also the banner of the Indian Chemicals
partnered customers and Council, launched a Nicer Globe
governments to deliver cutting edge
initiative. Under this initiative ICC has
technology and designed new prepared codes and guidance
manufacturing processes to reduce for implementation of process safety,
their carbon footprint.
employee health and safety, pollution
prevention, emergency response, and
Customers, both businesses as well as
end users, are also showing keen product safety. Member companies not
interest in ecologically beneficial only follow these codes but also train
products based on renewable raw and educate stakeholders at various
materials. This has encouraged “Points of Interest” such as police
chemical companies to step up their stations, schools, hospitals etc.

64 Chemistry Everywhere
In Pursuit of Sustainable Development