The applications of green chemistry
In the last few years the chemical industry has undergone an evolution, changing the way of approaching the creation of products and the development of processes. A change also followed by New Chemical Prevention which has always pointed the spotlight towards environmental problems linked to pollution and resource scarcity.
Green Chemistry and the commitment of New Chemical Prevention
La Green chemistry, as it was nicknamed, was born from one new vision of chemistry and aims to direct studies and products towards eco-sustainability paths. In the last century, moreover, sustainable development has become central to technological and scientific progress, pushing chemistry to "reinvent itself", taking up the challenge of reconverting old processes, making them "clean", using them for the design of eco-compatible products.
The wood, the Stone and marble for New Chemical Prevention are not just materials to be treated, but first of all elements that make up the Planet that must be treated with products capable of respecting them and guaranteeing environmental and human health. In fact, green chemistry has a great objective: to optimize consumption, reduce energy waste in industrial processes, use renewable sources in plants.
The principles and applications of Green Chemistry
The applications of Green Chemistry from this point of view are almost infinite. We are not talking specifically about a branch of chemistry, but about a different way of approaching it and a philosophy of work and production. To do this it makes use of well 12 principles which are respected in the systems:
- Prevent waste: minimizing waste production is a fundamental objective;
- Maximize the atomic economy: waste must be minimal;
- Design less dangerous chemical syntheses: design synthesis with zero toxicity for humans and the environment;
- Design safer chemicals: create effective chemical products, but at the same time free of toxicity;
- Use safer solvents and reaction conditions: the chemicals used are non-toxic and safe;
- Increase energy efficiency: chemical reactions are carried out at room temperature;
- Use renewable raw materials;
- Avoid chemical derivatives;
- Use catalysts, not stoichiometric reagents: waste is reduced to a minimum using catalytic reactions;
- Design of chemicals to degrade after use: the designed chemicals do not accumulate and pollute the environment;
- Analyze in real time to prevent pollution: the work includes monitoring and controlling all processes to reduce emissions on time;
- Minimize the risk of accidents: Chemicals are made to minimize the potential for accidents.
