Sustainability Challenges and Opportunities in Process Development

“Sustainability” is best addressed during the early stages of process development, where choices of feedstock, solvent, and process route can dramatically impact footprint and risk for proposed future deployments.   While technical feasibility and projected economics comprise the immediate metrics for assessing project or new product viability, sustainability issues including CO₂ impact, water and land usage, inherent safety of routes, products, and materials used, can also have a significant impact on future costs and license to operate.   A methodology to assess and consider these factors in selection of preferred options, or in assessing footprint and desirability of proposed new products or processes, is a necessity in today’s environment.

This seminar will examine approaches to assessing sustainability impacts to be addressed during process development, including identifying and obtaining stakeholder feedback from both inside and outside the organization.   Overall best practices for process development are presented, including how to maintain a history of knowledge of previous learnings, and optimal methods and approaches for scale up and derisking at reduced footprint, with reduced risk.