ACS Green Chemistry Institute collaborations advance sustainability

Green chemistry and engineering innovation drive economic progress while minimizing harm to human health and the environment. A look at the history of the chemistry industry reveals that some of its most significant advancements—particularly those during and after the First and Second World Wars—were made possible through joint efforts among industry, government, and academia. While we are no longer spurred by imminent national security threats, we now face the equally urgent challenges of a rapidly changing climate, which affects societies and communities around the world.The need to transform the chemistry industry in response to this crisis was recognized over 3 decades ago, which led to the founding of the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute (GCI) in 1997. GCI’s mission: to catalyze the implementation of innovative approaches to chemistry and engineering that enable sustainable development across the globe. In 2005, the GCI established the ACS GCI Pharmaceutical Roundtable (GCIPR) to foster collaboration across and within sectors. This industry collaboration began with 3 corporate members and has grown to more than 50 today. Over the past 20 years, the GCIPR has focused on identifying and addressing key bottlenecks in the pursuit of more sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing—and it has made remarkable progress.GCIPR scientists have developed tools and metrics to measure the impact of chemistry endeavors and compare and predict greener processes. These tools are now used broadly—not just in the pharmaceutical industry but across research sectors, including academia. The roundtable has also invested in academic research through a long-running grant program that