The Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri Srikant Kumar Jena called upon the chemical industry to step up its efforts towards development of sustainable products and processes by investing in technology that protects the environment and stimulate growth. Addressing the “Conclave on Sustainable Chemistry: Green Solutions for All” here today, he said that by using sustainable chemistry we have to nip the toxicity at its very source; at the point of creation, and also at its end; the disposal of substances. 

Shri Jena said that utility of chemical products in our daily lives has brought back to focus the importance of green chemistry, which is the only sustainable way forward. He said that this Conclave is focusing on the need for the growth of chemical sector on a sustainable basis keeping in view the imperatives of protection of human health and environment. He said, the Government has been in the midst of the rising debate about the safety aspects of chemical industry in the background of the recent judgments relating to Bhopal gas tragedy and the public outcry. So, there is a need to balance the economics of industrial growth with social aspects like safety, environment protection, societal benefits etc. 

He said that there is an urgent need to develop life-cycle tools to compare the total environmental impact of products generated from different processing routes and under different operating conditions through the full life cycle. A specific challenge for the chemical industry would be to use renewable feed-stocks rather than depleting the natural resources, as far as feasible. Development of energy alternatives from renewable stocks need to be explored such as bio-mass, landfill gas, wind, solar heating, photovoltaic technology etc. Sustainability is all about reducing wastes, hazards, risks, energy, pollution, costs etc. and increasing efficiency, inventing environmental friendly processes, developing safer chemicals and using renewable feed stocks. 

The Minister said that the Government is committed to provide quality infrastructure for the growth of indigenous chemical industry. In this process, it is setting up Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Regions (PCPIRs) in different parts of the country. He said that PCPIRs will have petroleum based industries including refineries, service units to support process industries, utilities and infrastructure providers, etc and this will provide hassle free and competitive business atmosphere along with sustainable environment and will also make the Indian chemical industry globally competitive.