Circular Chemistry

In response to the global threat imposed by resource scarcity and climate change, circular economy is highly regarded as a way to secure a sustainable future and to enable businesses and society to thrive. Circular economy... [ view full abstract ]

In response to the global threat imposed by resource scarcity and climate change, circular economy is highly regarded as a way to secure a sustainable future and to enable businesses and society to thrive. Circular economy aims to extend the inherent value of materials embodied in a product, rather than waste it and chemistry is crucial for achieving this.^1,2 While the well-known Green Chemistry principles³ focus on optimizing and sustaining linear processes, circular chemistry moves beyond value extension and aims at making chemical processes and production cycles truly circular.

In this lecture, I will introduce Circular Chemistry as a new concept, discuss the 12 principles of circular chemistry (see picture below) and highlight these important concepts with appealing examples.

References

1.       Matlin, S.A.; Mehta, G.; Hopf, H.; Krief, A.; Nature Chem. 2015, 7, 941.

2.       Clark, J.H.;  Farmer, T.J.; Herrero-Davila, L.; Sherwood, J.; Green Chem. 2016, 18, 3914.

3.       Anastas, P.T.; Warner, J.C.; Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice. Oxford University Press, New York, page 30.