INFORMEX NEWS: Profiles in Sustainability winners

Published: 15-Feb-2011

Zeon and DSM recognised as innovators in sustainability


Informex has again honoured companies for pursuing so-called ‘green’ chemistry in the second annual ‘Profiles in Sustainability’ awards.

Fifteen companies submitted projects for consideration by the judging panel, which consisted of representatives from the American Chemical Society’s Green Chemistry Institute, SOCMA, Georgia Institute of Technology and the trade media. Entries were judged on the 12 principles of green chemistry, the commercial scale of the product/process, the uniqueness of the technology, and the magnitude of the product/process.

‘The Profiles in Sustainability awards go further than just acknowledging that an organisation is innovative. When evaluating the entries, the judges are looking at a deeper level,’ said Informex Global Brand Director Jennifer Jessup.

‘In essence, we feel that these companies are helping to set an example for the industry as we move toward a more sustainable future. The judges chose the winning submissions by determining which organisations had best embraced the intention of the awards through thinking outside of the box to produce innovative solutions with a high impact on the industry and a low carbon footprint on society.’

Zeon Corporation won the ‘product’ category for its high performance ether solvent, cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME)’. Zeon manufactures CPME by the catalytic addition of MeOH to cyclopentene, which is an atom economical reaction. The solvent, in use since 2005, offers extensive cost savings and waste reduction over classic tetrahydrofuran (THF), most notably, 78% cost reduction and 80% waste reduction.

The product was also honoured with the Bronze in the CPhI Innovation Awards in Madrid in 2010.

DSM’s submission ‘Corporate Commitment to Sustainability as a Business Driver and Response to Pharmaceutical R&D and Manufacturing’, won the ‘other’ category. The submission covered route scouting services that lead to cost savings through identifying ways to streamline processes for clients. These route scouting services provide the following to customers:

  • Cost advantage by finding the most sustainable synthesis route

  • Robustness in a proven scalable tech package

  • Secured competitive advantage by offering IP protection of your innovative syntheses
  • Flexibility in implementation at the most appropriate manufacturing partner

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