Growing a greener world

May 2005

With demand for environmentally sustainable science increasing, the Centre for Green Chemistry is working towards making it a reality.

Report: Ingrid Sanders
Photography: Melissa Di Ciero

Clean and green chemistry: attractive for the bottom line.

The decaying plant and animal matter found in soil is being investigated by Monash University scientists in the hope of making chemical synthesis more environmentally friendly.

The project, which looks at soil structure, is one of many being conducted by the university's Centre for Green Chemistry.

The centre is responding to public demand for environmentally sustainable science, a mindset that is also being embraced by big business. Centre director Professor Milton Hearn says green chemistry is now a matter of global interest.

"There are countless processes in chemistry that, in years to come, need to be refined to reduce energy consumption, generate less waste and lead to products that can be easily recycled," Professor Hearn says.

"Green chemistry can achieve this predominantly hazard- and waste-free environment, so it's not surprising that chemical, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries are lending their support to developing and refining these processes."

Professor Hearn says the centre is contributing and reacting to a push by the international scientific community to embrace the concepts of green chemistry. Since it was established in 2000, its international collaborations with Australian and overseas universities, as well as the CSIRO and private industry, have flourished.

Dr Janet Scott, the centre's deputy director, says the shift toward green chemistry is a result of clear benefits and cost savings.

"Industry has realised it can make a lot of money from green innovations and cut costs by producing less waste," she says. "It is attractive for the bottom line and favourable to a 'clean, green' public image."

Dr Scott, together with Dr Tony Patti and Professor Roy Jackson, is part of the research team studying organic matter in soils.

Understanding organic matter and improving the quality of soil could not only have commercial benefits, it could also have a positive impact on the health, productivity and wellbeing of the environment, she says.

For example, studying the reactions between soil organic matter and catalysts such as clays could lead to new developments in green synthetic chemistry.

Other projects being pursued by the centre will hopefully lead to green biotechnology and cleaner synthesis technology.

Action: For more information on green chemistry, visit the Centre for Green Chemistry or contact Professor Milton Hearn on +61 3 9905 4547 or email milton.hearn@sci.monash.edu.au