Green Chemistry
"Green chemistry" is considered to be a relatively new term but actually it has been around for quite some time. It is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous materials. All market sectors relying on chemistry are turning to the principles of "green chemistry" as a foundation for future development. The current state-of-the-art in green chemistry has been reached due to advances in research, implementation, and education over the past decade. However, the growth of green chemistry practices needs to increase at an accelerated pace if we are to meet the challenges of the future.
This article reviews the origins of green chemistry and describes the basic principles involved. The factors that are driving the growth of green chemistry in todays adhesives and sealants industry are identified. The responsibilities of the raw material supplier and the adhesive formulator relative to green chemistry are also discussed in this review.
The Origins of Green Chemistry
The production of green chemicals, polymers, and even ready-to-use adhesive products from renewable sources is not new.
As a result of this work and others, the foundation for todays green materials was developed. Biopolymers and other raw materials derived from renewable sources are gaining popularity once again as new manufacturing techniques have developed through biotechnology or what has become known as "green chemistry".
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Drivers Behind Green Chemistry
Over the years, the environmental drivers in the adhesives industry have been a blend of regulations, special interest group pressure, and corporate marketing. Several laws and non-government programs have evolved to have a profound impact on the chemical industry. This was the primary driver toward development and commercialization of a number of new adhesive systems over the last several decades.
Today, the primary driver of regulation is still there, but several others are making impact. Among these are geo-political tensions, economic climate concerns, and popular re-definition of the problem (e.g., "global warming", "sustainability") and other issues. This has generated environmental awareness within the adhesive community beyond reduction in VOC levels.
The principles of George Washington Carvers breakthroughs are still being exploited - now we define it as "green chemistry". It is concerned with developing processes and products to reduce or eliminate hazardous substances. One of the goals of green chemistry is to prevent pollution at its source, as opposed to dealing with pollution after it has occurred. The set of principles summarized in Table 1 provide the framework for todays chemists and material engineers to design products and processes with minimal impact on the environment.
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