Pathways, policies and the role of chemists in building a circular chemical economy
As one of the fastest-growing chemical producers and consumers globally, India faces an urgent need to transition toward sustainable, low-carbon, and circular chemical manufacturing. Green chemistry offers the scientific and technological foundation for this transformation. Taking inspiration from successful Western initiatives such as the EU’s REACH Regulation, the US EPA Green Chemistry Program, and industrial symbiosis in Europe, India can adapt and lead through context-specific policies. Low-carbon solvents, biodegradable polymers, waste-free synthesis and regulatory pathways for a circular chemical economy will be key components of this strategy. The role of chemists – as innovators, educators, and sustainability advocates – is central to realising India’s ambitions in clean energy, pharmaceuticals, defence and digital technologies.
Introduction
India’s chemical industry contributes nearly 7% of the national GDP and is projected to exceed $300 billion (£223 billion) by 2025.1 From pharmaceuticals to textiles and agrochemicals, chemistry underpins the nation’s industrial competitiveness. However, this progress comes with escalating environmental costs – energy-intensive processes, hazardous waste generation and high carbon emissions.
Chemistry-driven innovation is foundational to India’s strategic ambitions in clean energy, pharmaceuticals, defence and digital technologies. Yet, without proactive policy frameworks, emerging technologies may outpace regulation, leading to safety risks, environmental hazards and lost economic opportunities.
By contrast, Western economies have increasingly linked chemical innovation with sustainability through regulatory foresight, public–private partnerships and strong academia–industry collaboration. For India to realise its full potential, chemists must lead a cultural and technological transformation rooted in green chemistry and sustainable manufacturing.
The essence of green chemistry
Green chemistry emphasises designing products and processes that reduce or eliminate hazardous substances.2 It represents a shift from ‘control and cleanup’ to ‘design and prevention’. In Western contexts, this philosophy has been institutionalised. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched its Green Chemistry Challenge awards in 1995, recognising innovations that minimise waste and energy use. The European Union (EU) incorporated green chemistry principles into its Reach regulation, which mandates risk assessment and the substitution of chemicals for safer alternatives.
For India, green chemistry provides the scientific underpinning to modernise its manufacturing base while aligning with global climate and trade commitments. The challenge lies not in scientific capability but in integrating sustainability into policy, education and industry practice.
India’s current landscape in chemical manufacturing
India is a global hub for bulk chemicals, dyes and pharmaceuticals, yet the sector remains heavily dependent on fossil-derived feedstocks and imported intermediates. The pharmaceutical industry, for instance, consumes vast quantities of organic solvents – many of which are volatile, toxic and non-recyclable – posing both environmental and occupational risks. Likewise, the country’s rapidly expanding plastics industry continues to rely on non-biodegradable polymers, contributing significantly to waste accumulation and pollution.
While flagship programmes such as Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat have boosted domestic innovation and industrial self-reliance, green manufacturing still receives limited policy attention. Unlike Western economies, India currently lacks:
- Specific green chemistry guidelines integrated within its environmental and industrial laws.
- Dedicated national funding schemes to support sustainable chemical R&D and commercialisation.
- Institutional mechanisms to foster collaboration among academia, industry and regulatory bodies to co-develop sustainable processes.
To bridge these gaps, India must prioritise the establishment of a coordinated national framework for green chemistry and sustainable manufacturing – one that connects innovation, education and regulation. Such a framework would not only align with India’s climate and energy commitments but also position the country as a leader in the global transition towards a circular, low-carbon chemical economy.
Low-carbon solvents and sustainable process chemistry
Solvents contribute to over 70% of material mass in pharmaceutical manufacturing.3 Their selection influences not only process efficiency but also toxicity and carbon footprint.
In the pharmaceutical industry, Pfizer has adopted solvent selection guides based on green metrics, cutting solvent waste by 50% in process development. AstraZeneca has integrated lifecycle assessment (LCA) into solvent selection, improving energy efficiency and reducing hazardous waste. The European Green Deal’s chemicals strategy also now mandates solvent recyclability as a sustainability criterion.
Indian industries can replicate and scale such approaches by:
- Establishing solvent sustainability indices under the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
- Funding research on bio-based solvents like glycerol derivatives and deep eutectic solvents (DES) from agricultural biomass.
- Incentivising solvent recovery systems in pharma clusters such as Hyderabad and Vadodara.
- Mandating solvent recycling under good manufacturing practices (GMP) guidelines.
As chemists, we can develop green solvent libraries for Indian industries, collaborate with regulators to design solvent-substitution matrices, and educate industrial chemists on solvent toxicity and lifecycle impacts.
References
1 Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India, Annual Report 2023–2024. New Delhi: Government of India, 2024
2 PT Anastas and JC Warner, Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998
3 FP Byrne et al, Sustain. Chem. Process, 2016 (DOI: 10.1186/s40508-016-0051-z)
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