Green innovators meet in Melbourne

Nobel Prize winner, Professor Akira Suzuki and one of the ‘fathers’ of Green Chemistry, Professor Paul Anastas, will lead discussion on the future of green chemistry at a major international conference in Melbourne next week.

Hosted by Monash University and the Asia-Oceania Green and Sustainable Chemistry Network, the Third Asia-Oceania Conference on Green and Sustainable Chemistry (AOC-3) will feature many of the world's foremost researchers, industry leaders, educators and government representatives.

Conference Chair and Director of the Centre for Green Chemistry, Monash University, Professor Milton Hearn said the attendance of world-leading experts such as Professor Suzuki and Professor Anastas underlined the importance of the three-day event.

Professor Suzuki, of the Catalysis Research Centre, Japan, was jointly awarded the 2010 Nobel Prize for Chemistry. He will use the first plenary lecture of the conference to discuss his break-through formulation for chemical synthesis, Suzuki Coupling.

Professor Anastas, currently Assistant Director US Environmental Protection Agency and one of the most eminent green chemists globally, will discuss breakthrough developments in the design and application of the next generation of benign chemicals.

Professor Hearn, himself a pioneer in green chemistry research, said the conference would feature presentations from more than 250 green chemistry experts.

"This is a unique event for Melbourne, and Australia, and a great opportunity for our scientific community to stand alongside and share ideas with the world leaders in green chemistry," Professor Hearn said.

"And the importance of green chemistry cannot be overstated. The research undertaken in this field will have an essential role in reducing the environmental and social impacts of the chemical industry. Of the 80,000 or so industrial chemicals used commercially, more than 90 per cent are produced from fossil fuels. In a carbon-aware economy this will have to change. Sustainability is the goal and Green Chemistry is the means."

AOC-3 will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from Monday 5 December, until Wednesday 7 December. 

For more information contact Monash Media & Communications + 61 3 9903 4839.