Use of the Dow Sustainable Chemistry Index To Grow Life Cycle Thinking and Business Engagement

Abstract

Use of sustainable chemistry approaches and ideas is essential for pursuit of sustainability in the chemical industry. Measuring progress is complicated by the existence of multiple issues and indicators across the life cycle of products. We developed and implemented an assessment process for the use of sustainable chemistry concepts by business units in our company, to encourage and track more sustainable practices and products. The annual process focuses on four broad themes: product risks, addressing world challenges through products and operations, strategy and recognition, and value chain engagement. It is also linked with elements of Dow’s 2025 Sustainability Goals. The process promotes dialogue, actions, and improvements by business units, and serves as a key mechanism for raising sustainability awareness in the company.

Safety, Economic, and Environmental Optimization Applied to Three Processes for the Production of Solar-Grade Silicon

“…One of the main reasons to incorporate safety, environmental, and profitability as design criteria of any process, is closing the gap between research and technological development, and consequently developing sustainable processes. This ideas follow the OECD definition of sustainable chemistry that presents the need for a life-cycle perspective by saying that sustainable chemistry “encompasses the design, manufacture and use of efficient, effective, safe and more environmentally benign chemical products and processes” . At present, this appreciation of the importance of safety and environmental issues has broadened into the more holistic concept of sustainability, and increasingly, many companies embrace the concept of sustainability into their company’s culture .…”

“…This ideas follow the OECD definition of sustainable chemistry that presents the need for a life-cycle perspective by saying that sustainable chemistry "encompasses the design, manufacture and use of efficient, effective, safe and more environmentally benign chemical products and processes". 4 At present, this appreciation of the importance of safety and environmental issues has broadened into the more holistic concept of sustainability, and increasingly, many companies embrace the concept of sustainability into their company's culture. 5 A research key area is the energy industry and the challenges that it presents.…”

Hybridised sustainability metrics for use in life cycle assessment of bio-based products: resource efficiency and circularity

“…• BASF Eco-efficiency; 5 • Dow's Chemical Index; 6 • Green chemistry and other resource efficiency metrics; [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] • Portfolio Sustainability Assessment (PSA) methodology; 15 • Ellen MacArthur Foundation-Material Circularity. 16 Review of these methodologies stresses the currently needed trajectory for sustainable development towards a resource-efficient circular economy, whilst highlighting significant gaps in the existing environmental assessment approaches.…”