Green Chemistry Workshop at Cipla, Mumbai

On July 28th 2015, a half-day workshop on Green Chemistry was organized by Green Chemistree Foundation at Cipla, Vikhroli, Mumbai. It was attended by around 45 Cipla employees from different departments such as R&D and Production.

Welcome addresses by Ms. Geena Malhotra, Cipla Ltd and Ms. Krishna Padia, Green Chemistree Foundation emphasized the need for green chemistry and how the awareness stage is complete and industrialization stage now needs to be driven.

Welcome address by Ms. Krishna Padia, Green Chemistree Foundation

This was followed by presentations by 4 senior members of the industry who shared their vast knowledge of green chemistry principles and gave their inputs on implementation of the same.

Design of green processes, strategies, tools and metrics in Pharma API industry

Dr. Gopalan stressed on the need for green metrics and the importance of “atom economy” in every process.

Dr. Gopalan – CSO & Executive Director, Drug Discovery, Orchid Pharma Ltd. & Green Chemistry Task Force Member, DST, Govt. of India

He shared some examples of green chemistry which are in the thought process stage which if implemented at plant level can be beneficial from the point of view of environment as well as economics. The examples were of environmentally benign synthesis steps, value addition of by-product, use of water as a solvent, use of a non-toxic cyanide source, etc. He also spoke of the future prospects and the challenges in research, implementation and education.

Process research as a tool to attain GC in Pharma Industry

Dr. Krishnamurthy highlighted the huge savings that can be brought about by green chemistry in the 4 trillion dollar worth chemical industry.

Dr. Krishnamurthy – VP and Global Head, API R&D, Piramal Enterprises Ltd

Green chemistry by design should be used to design different routes to reduce waste in the chemical processes. He spoke about the need for the route selection process to have a short time line, reducing the API budget and also making the process cost effective by utilizing services of highly competitive scientists. The route selection process should start early with flexible capacity building with in house team and partners.

Overview – Environmental and Regulatory norms

Dr. Naidu spoke about pollution increasing at alarming proportions and the need for environmental and regulatory norms to protect human health and environment.

Dr. Rashmi Naidu – Director (Technical Services), NS Support Services Pvt. Ltd

She spoke at length about REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization & restriction of Chemicals) and how it applies to the Pharma Industry. She drew our attention to the lack of knowledge about environmental policies and suggested that Pharma associations should provide technical assistance so that companies can be prepared for the ever evolving landscape.

“Recycle at Source” approach for existing conventional process having with maximum E-factor – as first step towards implementing Green Chemistry

Mr. Mehta talked about the ineffectiveness of current methods of waste management such as ETP, CETP and Industrial Ecology.  The need of the hour is to start industrialization of ready green chemistry based technologies so that we can start seeing the environmental and economic benefits.

Mr. Nitesh Mehta – Founder-Director, Newreka Green Synth Technologies Pvt Ltd

He shared 3 case studies of Newreka’s Recycle@Source^TM Solution for recycle of sulphuric acid, neutral stream and salt containing stream. He suggested that chemical companies start implementing green chemistry based technologies with high E-Factor products, big volume molecules and molecules in II and III stage of clinical trials.

Dr. D. R. Rao – R&D (API) Head, gave the vote of thanks and mentioned that such programmes are very important for driving companies towards taking measures for pollution prevention.

This seminar was a platform to build on the existing awareness of Green Chemistry and to encourage and motivate the participants further towards this topic by the sharing of case studies and providing an opportunity to interact with experts in this area.

Spreading the Green Word

For years we have been hearing that the world will end soon, especially in this age, when pollution and wastage really rule. But why believe in such rumors when we can work together to make a brighter tomorrow!

Green Chemistry & Engineering is a progressive step taken to help save our planet from harmful chemicals. Slowly and steadily Green Chemistry & Engineering practices are being adopted and implemented in the Pharmaceutical and Chemical Industry processes around the world. This will not only prove beneficial for the environment but also a profitable investment. Events like CPHI-China, Chemspec-Europe and the 15th Annual Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference are few such events that give a serious thought about the future. With the world talking green, these three events got them talking about IGCW-2011 as well!

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The CphI in China alone hosts over 1600 exhibitors with over a lakh of people visiting the event. Not only did that substantially increase visibility, but was a milestone, with IGCW inviting Chinese companies to explore green chemistry, engineering business propositions and global trends. This has interested several Chinese companies that are now keen to showcase their green chemistry and engineering based technologies at the IGCW –Expo.

At Chemspec, Europe, IGCW managed to interest 15 European companies, who now want to showcase their green chemistry and engineering based technologies & services. Across the Atlantic, at the GCandE Conference at Washington DC, IGCW used one of the best and oldest platform to spread the word. There are now ongoing partnership discussions with various leading bodies including US EPA, European Fine Chemicals Group (EFCG), Chemical Industries Association (UK), Scottish Development International and Green Product Design Network.

Green Chemistry has inspired a revolution. At the GCandE Conference, keynote presentations by global leaders such as  Prof. Paul Anastas, Prof. Martyn Poliakoff, Founder of Biomimicry Guild, Ms. Janine Benyus  and the Nobel Laureate Prof. Ei-ichi Negishi has inspired us to surge forward with renewed vigor. The father of Green Chemistry, Paul Anastas, called for the green chemistry version of ‘man on the moon’ program. A global opportunity for worldwide initiatives to come together and forward green chemistry as a global expression. Join us in the endeavor.