Green chemistry and sustainable manufacturing in India

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.