What makes chemistry sustainable? The case of the Pine Institute and resin chemistry in Aquitaine (1900–1970)

Abstract This article explores the historical case of the Pine Institute in Aquitaine (France) to examine whether resin chemistry between 1900 and 1970 can be regarded as a precursor to modern green and sustainable chemistry. By situating the Institute’s activities within broader scientific, economic, and ecological contexts, the study challenges the common perception that sustainability in chemistry emerged only recently. The analysis reveals that resin chemistry at the Pine Institute exhibited many traits now associated with sustainable practices: it focused on renewable, bio-sourced materials; prioritized waste valorization and minimal molecular intervention; and operated with strong regional engagement, particularly with labour unions and small producers. Though it lacked formalized sustainability metrics, resin chemistry reflected an integrative approach to science, emphasizing landscape preservation, resource circularity, and social responsibility. The decline of the field of resin chemistry in the 1970s coincided with the broader displacement of natural products by petrochemicals and a shift toward disciplinary fragmentation. By revisiting this forgotten scientific tradition, the article suggests that sustainability in chemistry can emerge from deeply embedded socio-environmental contexts. This historical perspective highlights the potential of regionally rooted, socially responsive science as a foundation for future sustainable research paradigms.