12 principles of green chemistry

We are increasingly hearing about the 12 principles of green chemistry in relation to cosmetic raw materials. However, many people have no idea what this means. Can chemistry really be ‘green’? Yes, but only if the 12 principles of green chemistry are adhered to! And what exactly does the concept aim to achieve? Green chemistry is about producing as environmentally friendly as possible, i.e. saving energy and minimising pollution as much as possible. However, this can only be achieved with new developments and innovative technologies.

The 12 principles of green chemistry were developed by the US entrepreneur and chemist John C. Warner and Paul Anastas, who at the time was working at the United States Environmental Protection Agency, an independent US authority for the protection of human health and the environment. Cosmacon supports you in using raw materials based on green chemistry in order to develop products that are truly sustainable.

 

The 12 principles of green chemistry

1. Disposing of and/or processing waste is costly and problematic. That is why the first of the 12 principles of green chemistry provides for the fundamental avoidance of waste.
2. This concerns the areas of atomic efficiency and atomic economy. Syntheses and reactions should be designed and organised in such a way that, wherever possible, all the substances used are contained in the end product.
3. The third principle provides for less hazardous syntheses. Whenever possible, the creation and use of syntheses that could be toxic to humans and the environment should be avoided.
4. This also results in the fourth principle. This principle emphasises the development of safe, efficient and non-toxic substances.
5. The fifth of the principles provides for safer solvents and auxiliaries. Ideally, solvents should be avoided completely.
   However, if their use cannot be avoided, they must be as non-hazardous as possible.
6. The focus here is on improved energy efficiency. Energy consumption should be as low as possible. It is also important to ensure that all processes take place at normal pressure and room temperature.
7. If it is economically and technically possible, renewable and regenerative resourcesand raw materials should always be favoured in accordance with the 12 principles of green chemistry.
8. The number of intermediate stages and/or derivativesshould be minimised. One example is the use of protective groups. Such steps usually cause additional waste.
9. According to the principles of green chemistry, catalystsare an optimal alternative to stoichiometric reagents and should be favoured wherever possible.
10. Ideally, all products can be broken down naturallyafter use. The chemicals break down into components that do not harm the environment and are non-toxic.
11. In order to reduce pollutant emissions, real-time analyses of chemical reactions must be refined so that intervention is possible at any time.
12. In accordance with the 12 principles, care must always be taken tomaximise risk avoidance. The probability of the release of toxic substances, fires and explosions must be minimised.

Implementing the 12 principles of green chemistry economically

Would you also like to focus on the principles of green chemistry? Cosmacon will be happy to help you develop the right products! You too can benefit from our expertise.