Sustainability of the chemical manufacturing industry—Towards a new paradigm?

Abstract

This paper describes the current situation of the chemical manufacturing industry, with special reference to Europe and looks to the future sustainability demands on the sector, and the implications of these demands for chemical engineering education. These implications include definitions of sustainability criteria for the sector and the need for transparent reporting under the Triple Bottom Line approach. The response of the education system to the sustainability agenda over the years and a number of strategies to incorporate it into courses are described. The important role of chemical (or more generally, process) engineers in delivering sustainable solutions is emphasised but this also suggests that a new way of thinking about the discipline is required. Indeed, this paper argues that the demand for a sustainable chemical manufacturing sector could bring about the next paradigm shift in the discipline which has been predicted for some time.2

The impact of synthetic biology in chemical engineering—Educational issues

“…The time taken to teach all the required aspects of chemical engineering has lead to the modern degree with a curriculum as described in Table 3 (Hall and Howe, 2010). Other aspects of a university degree have always been prominent in chemical engineering education such as problem solving and the modern chemical engineer with good mathematical ability 9 and literacy, combined with the ability to communicate with those from a range of disciplines, has much to offer the development of a synthetic biology discipline.…”

“…In a recent paper (Hall and Howe, 2010) it was argued that a new paradigm for chemical engineering might be imminent based on a move from a reliance on fossil sources for basic chemicals to reliance on bio-based raw materials which would be renewable and thus sustainable. In tandem with this change was the prospect of a combination of engineering principles and biology, under the name synthetic biology, which would synthesise biological systems with entirely novel functions beyond current biotechnology.…”

Análise E Aderência Das Práticas De Gestão E Responsabilidade Ambiental Adotadas Pela Natulab Laboratórios S/a Em Relação as Empresas Do Setor De Medicamentos Listadas Na B3/Analysis and Adherence of Management Practices and Environmental Responsibility Adopted by Natulab Laboratórios S/a in Relation as Companies of the Sector of Medicines Listed in B3

“…Visando a imersão na área temática, Bernardo e Camarotto (2012) realizaram levantamento junto a literatura para identificar os fatores motivacionais para adoção de práticas ambientais responsáveis. No estudo em questão, os autores segregaram tais fatores em dois grupos motivacionais, sendo os pertinentes aos benefícios proporcionados ao negócio e os relacionados ao atendimento a atores externos.…”

Sustentabilidade organizacional: aplicação de índice composto em uma empresa do setor químico

“…Além disso, constitui-se naturalmente em um setor de alta tecnologia e fortemente regulamentado, mas cujas práticas de sustentabilidade (principalmente na dimensão social) permitem espaço para seu desenvolvimento (Majumdar et al, 2009). O setor ainda carece de novos elementos para enfrentar uma realidade em que a sustentabilidade será, cada vez mais, um elemento crítico para essa atividade (Mulderink, 1998;Kleizen, 2006;García-Serna et al, 2007;Hall & Howe, 2010).…”