Today when the chemical world  is facing the challenge of addressing the E-factor (kgs waste generated / kg production), innovative and sustainable concepts of Green Chemistry and Green Engineering  should be the new paradigms to address these emerging challenges.  Thus, it is imperative that various stakeholders of the Chemical Industry came together to make this event a huge success.The event witnessed the presence of the who’s who of the chemical industry, viz, Prof. Paul Anastas, Dr. John Warner, Dr. Rajendra Varma, so on and so forth…

The workshop which was based on the 9 Eye approach, took the audience right from understanding the concept of Green chemistry from the horse’s mouth, viz, Prof. Paul Anastas to citing examples of companies, such as Tata Chemicals, who has built India’s the most efficient Urea Plant in Babrala.   Also, various intricate technical details about chemical compositions also where talked about in the event, such as, Dr. Murli Shastry’s lecture on the biological synthesis of nano-oxides, Dr.Myers lecture on obstructed bladder syndrome, etc. The event also was an opportunity for the participants to ask and understand anything and everything about Industrial Green Chemistry from the experts. It was also a prestigious platform where the contributors towards sustainability received their due recognition in the form of awards and exhibition. Companies, such as, Catapharma, PI Industries Ltd. , etc. were awarded for their benign initiatives. Even students initiatives were awarded.

However, truly a global event, I hope that this event become an inspiration for everyone to adopt benign ways and protect our planet from the ghastly disaster of global warming. If you have missed to be a part of this event, then you can check out the web telecast here at http://www.industrialgreenchem.com/index.html

Also, this is just a beginning, so if you have missed the opportunity to be at IGCW this time, then prepare yourself to be with us in the year 2011. Let us together share our sustainable contribution with the world!

The workshop begun at 8 am IST with a welcome speech by Mr. Nitesh Mehta, the convener of Industrial Green Chemistry Workshop, 2009, which was followed by the inauguration ceremony by Dr.Ramaswamy, who also delivered speech on Industrial Green Chemistry. Dr. John Warner, who is also the chief guest at IGCW, gave a keynote speech laying an introduction to IGCW 2009.  Further, the co-founders of Green chemistry were felicitated by Dr. Ramaswamy.Then finally the much-awaited speeches by the key people of the industry begun. So, to catch up more on the event stay tune with us:

http://www.industrialgreenchem.com/live.html

IGCW is the very first platform that will bring the who’s who of the chemical industry from around the globe to discuss, talk, enlighten, and help others to implement benign technologies to enhance the economical and environmental competitiveness of the chemical industry through sustainable ways. It means novel products, new chemistries, innovative engineering, and therefore manifold opportunities and better profitability.

IGCW is based on the 9-Eye (I) Approach, i.e., Ignition, Inspiration, Initiation, Identification, Invention, Innovation, Industrialization, Implementation, and Impact. Each eye expands the vision of participants engaging them into emerging views of Industrial Green Chemistry (IGC) paradigms. The first two days of the workshop would concentrate on sowing the seed of industrial green chemistry in the minds of the participants. On the third day, i.e., 6^th December, 2009, eminent people from the associated field will talk on how to implement it. The vision of this workshop is to see industries consider green chemistry and green engineering as a true mantra for corporate innovation, thereby transcending from the 20^th century GREY industrial age to the 21st century GREEN industrial age.

Stressing on the 8^th eye, i.e., Industrialization, renowned people, viz., Dr. RK Sharma, Dr. Alok Adhelya, Mr. Nitesh Mehta, and Dr. Kira Matus will give lectures on how to  transform “pollution control” to “pollution prevention” as a profit-centre approach. Dr. R.K. Sharma and Dr. Alok Adhelya, together will give a speech on Applications of microbe-plant-chemistry Approach to address Bio-Energy and Bio-Remediation needs. Mr. Nitesh Mehta will speak on a very interesting and untouched topic, Enviropreneurship – A model to accelerate implementation of green chemistry. Dr. Kira Matus will speak on Understanding Innovation for sustainable future: A comparison study of Green Chemistry in US, India, and China.

Chemical industry is definitely going to tread a new path, after attending IGCW. So if you haven’t registered with us, hurry up … only few days are left for the D-day!

At Industrial Green Chemistry Workshop 2009, various renowned scholars and industry people will come together not only to spread a word about benign ways of delivering products and services but also to show illustrations and success stories of big companies who have achieved success inspite of adopting benign technologies. For this, on the second day of the workshop, speakers, such as, Prof. G D Yadav, Dr. Anil Kumar, and Dr. Rajendra Varma will give lectures wherein they will explain about innovations using various catalysis.

Prof. G. D Yadav will speak on innovations in catalysis as a tool for greener chemical products. Dr. Rajendra Varma, who was acknowledged as the “Visionary of the Year” at the “Green Technology for the Environment” conference for promotion and support of green and sustainable technologies, will speak on organics and non-material and their greener applications.

As a result, IGCW would be the right platform for entrepreneurs and people related to the chemical industry to explore and innovate ways to go benign in their production houses. So are you there with us?

IGCW 2009 aims to take green chemistry from the cauldrons of the laboratory to the corridors of industry. The workshop aims to encourage pharmaceutical and chemical industries to deliver products and services in benign ways, untainted by toxic routes and environmental damage. This three-day workshop is meticulously designed on the basis of a 9-Eye (I) Approach. Each ‘eye’ expands the vision of participants for engaging them into emerging views of Industrial Green Chemistry paradigms.

The first day of the workshop will concentrate on igniting, inspiring, and encouraging people to take initiation in the field of green chemistry. The theme for the second day, i.e., 5th December, 2009, is Identification, Invention, and Innovation. The target for this day will be the technical directors, process managers, production mangers, R&D managers, etc. On this day, renowned speakers, viz, Dr. Kenneth Geiser, Dr. Pete Meyers, and Dr. S Ahmad will give lectures on different aspects of sustainable technologies which will help identify the key challenges in the field of industrial green chemistry. They will help the participants to view the various paradigms in the upcoming domain of Industrial Green Chemistry, providing significant input for identifying its application. Industrial case studies, paper presentations by institutes, scientists, and researchers will be integrated as relevant to the theme. So after initiation, they will be able to identify what’s the urgent need for an hour and to innovate them.

So are you ready to be with us to identify the key problems standing as an obstacle for a sustainable future?

We are either unaware or deliberately ignore the fact that chemical industry with more than 80,000 chemicals in commerce, impacts every aspect of human life in a non-negotiable manner. But how long can this fact be ignored? Someday or the other we all have to realize this and take the necessary step. IGCW aims to do that. As a first initiative, IGCW aims to take green chemistry from the cauldrons of the laboratory to the corridors of industry. It will involve from concepts to execution. This event will focus on green chemistry and engineering in chemistry intensive areas such as in fine chemicals which will include dyes and pharma, agrochemicals, colorants, personal care chemicals, etc. It will look at revisiting chemistries and see how at source changes are being incorporated for greening the processes. Topics that will be covered include catalysis, alternative reaction media, novel process engineering, process intensification, micro-reactions, etc. Other issues like regulatory mechanisms, R&D requirements, venture capital, and financial funding will also be highlighted.

The event is designed so meticulously that each day will expand and enlighten the vision of participants about industrial green chemistry. The first day of the event will just be an induction to the entire three day workshop. It will slowly ignite the participants further inspiring them and then pricking them to take initiatives to attain a sustainable future. The whos of the who would be the key drivers of the event. They will talk on various aspects of green chemistry citing examples of leading companies who have adopted benign technologies and also through their experiences.

Dr. Bob Peoples speech on the Importance of Green Chemistry for a Sustainable World, Dr. Mihir Chaudhari’s speech on Industry – Academia Partnership: Successful case study of Ranitidine Hydrochloride, and Dr. Brakaspathy speech on Initiatives to promote Green Chemistry will be the main three key speeches that will drive the participants to take up the initiative to attain a successful and sustainable future. And further more there would be more of such brainstorming sessions on the next two days which will enlighten the participants about benign technologies and other aspects of industrial green chemistry.

But don’t consider this as an end to the cause of a sustainable future…it is just a beginning! So are you ready to take initiative for a sustainable future for your children?

Courtesy – 350.org

Global Warming should be credited for spreading its popularity like a wild fire among all groups of populace. The word is nearly there in everyone’s tip of the tongue. Since long, all of us have been doing all our bits to harm this mother earth, and all of a sudden when our Karma is reverberating, we just can’t stand it. We blame it on Nature, God and God knows what all! Now it’s high time but we still tend not to pay heed to the importance of doing something about it. Global meetings, widespread messages are not just enough to help save this earth. We, as an individual, should take up the responsibility to make this place a better place to live.

Talking about global warming; it has already had a devastating effect on our planet. Rising tides, forest fires, drought, glacial melt and a variety of other natural disasters directly linked to climate change can be seen on scales never before documented. The clock is ticking for strong, binding and immediate international legislation to preserve the sanctity of our Earth and protect those who call it home. In the count-down to the U.N. Climate Negotiations in Copenhagen this December, it is crucial that we send a clear message to decision makers. President Obama and other world leaders have a responsibility to take decisive action before time runs out.

That’s where the International Day of Climate Action comes in. An initiative by 350.org, it’s an awakening call wherein citizens, scientists, and world leaders in 181 countries will take to nearby streets, mountains, parks, and reefs today to demand strong action on climate change. In over 140 countries, 350.org and a coalition of partner groups will join together with people all over the world. Over1700 actions will take place letting decision makers in Copenhagen know that the people demand real change! It is up to YOU to you to be the change we wish to see.  5,242 rallies and creative demonstrations will take place, all of them centered on the number 350, to draw attention to 350 parts per million (ppm), which an overwhelming number of scientists now insist is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

In major cities, people will form giant 3s or 5s or 0s, in a “planet-scale game of Scrabble. Smaller scale actions include climbers with banners high on the slopes of Mt. Everest and teams of divers with signs on the Great Barrier Reef or the coral off the coast of Oman in the Persian Gulf. Israeli, Palestinian, and Jordanian campaigners are coordinating a joint action along the shores of the Dead Sea. There will be more than 1,800 actions across the U.S., as well as 300 in China, 200 in Africa, and more than 150 in India. 350 ppm originally came from a NASA research team headed by American climate scientist James Hansen, which surveyed both real-time climate observations and emerging paleo-climatic data in January of 2008. Their peer-reviewed article concluded that above 350ppm co2 the earth’s atmosphere couldn’t support “a planet similar to the one on which civilization developed and to which life on earth is adapted.”

The Day of Action is a part of an effort to build the world’s biggest mandate for bold climate action. Before the Global meets on Climate Change takes place, let us awaken ourselves to this gruesome truth!

Industrial Green Chemistry Workshop 2009 (IGCW) is one such unprecedented event which aims to take green chemistry from the cauldrons of the laboratory to the corridors of industry. The workshop aims to encourage pharma and chemical industries to deliver products and services in benign ways, untainted by toxic routes and environmental damage.

IGCW-2009 is principally designed on the basis of a 9-Eye (I) Approach; each ‘eye’ expanding the vision of participants for engaging them into emerging views of Industrial Green Chemistry paradigms. The three day workshop has been designed based on this 9-Eye. The first day aims to ignite, inspire, and encourage people to take initiation in the field of green chemistry. The target audience for the first day, i.e., 4th December, 2009, will be over 300 senior management members, directors, CEOs, consultants, entrepreneurs, strategic advisors, etc. They will be given an opportunity to recognize and explore the ecological and economical footprint of IGC through Ignition, Inspiration, and Initiation.

In order to ignite awareness about IGC among more than 1, 00,000 people connected to chemical industry as stake holder, stalwarts like Prof. Paul Anasthas and Dr. John Warner will share their knowledge and expertise on IGC.  Once the audience are enlightened about the topic, Dr. Murli Sastry, Chief Scientist with Tata Chemicals Innovation Centre, will further inspire the audience by narrating the 100 years journey of sustainability at TATA Group. Furthermore, Dr. Apurva Bhattacharya will speak on success case studies of commercializing green chemistry and positively impacting economics and environment.

We are here to inspire you to make this world a better place to live. So are you ready to get inspired and support our initiative?

Thus,  it is high time that this small but conscious and kind initiatives of companies gets its due notice in the world. Industrial Green Chemistry Workshop (IGCW – 2009),  in order to encourage such companies and  to provide them a platform to expose their initiatives, is all set to felicitate them for their benign initiatives which would help make this earth a better place to live. The award nominations has been divided into four categories, i.e., MNC / Large IGCW Awards, Medium / Small IGCW Awards, Academic / Scientist IGCW Awards, and Students IGCW Awards.

The aim of this workshop is to enlighten, encourage, and expose the impact of green chemistry and green engineering technologies at an industrial scale and allow altering realities on the ground. Industries, researchers and scientists, academia world-wide, committed to implement Green Chemistry based solutions are welcome to present an abstract for Industrial Green Chemistry Award recognition on topics pertinent to the IGCW themes.

So what are you waiting for? Get your Green Chemistry contribution recognized, apply for IGCW Award Nomination!

Lately, terms such as global warming, recyclable, biodegradable, environmentally friendly, sustainable, compostable, and bio-based have created a buzz even among common men – thanks to the newspapers and electronic media, who constantly talk about this in one way or the other! Consequently, knowingly or unknowingly, people are getting more “Green Conscious” than “Brand Conscious” and are voting with their shopping dollars, gravitating towards green businesses. People are more concerned more than ever about the environmental impact of products they buy. Practical consumers purchase those products and packages that can be recycled or otherwise safely disposed off in their communities. As a result, the number of industries under fire from environmentalists has grown very rapidly. Green Consumerism has helped to spur significant shifts in the way in which some industries view the environmental challenge. Although green consumers express their environmental concerns in individual ways, they are motivated by universal needs. These needs translate into new purchasing strategies with implications for the ways product are developed and marketed. Many industries have realized that it is not easy to fulfill the appetite of people for shopping with material goods. So in turn, they have also shifted towards green techniques.

So, if you are not a green consumer, then Green Consumer Day is the day when you can think and rethink on what we buy, how and the impact it has on us and on our common environment. Motivated by the universal need that has arisen; we can take our small baby steps, which would add to the conglomeration of the bigger cause – Environment Protection. Let us Go Green and make a difference!