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Sessions

Green Engineering for Process Safety and Benign Environment

This technical session on “Green Engineering for Process Safety & Benign Environment” shall focus on scale-up and commercialization of Green & Sustainable Chemistry based products, processes and technologies that deliver safer processes and reduced environmental footprint. Case studies demonstrating successful implementation of safer products and processes using any innovations related to process intensification, process engineering, […]

Advanced Catalysis for Renewable Carbon Conversion

The sustainable chemical manufacturing requires transformative advances in catalytic processes that enable the efficient conversion of renewable carbon sources such as carbon dioxide (CO?) and biomass-derived intermediates into fuels, chemicals, and materials. This symposium will bring together academic researchers, industrial scientists, and technology developers to discuss cutting-edge catalytic innovations and the collaborative frameworks needed to […]

Novel Carbon Dioxide Utilization Technologies and Scaleup Opportunities

CO2 utilization technologies are an ever growing field in the overall CCUS landscape. CO2 capture has a relatively mature technology slate that can be deployed at various scales and concentrations, and downhole CO2 injection is a relatively know technology parallels in the oil and gas industries. As more CO2 pipelines start to come online, there […]

Earth-Abundant Metal Catalysis for Sustainable Energy

Catalytic technologies that produce chemical fuels in a sustainable fashion are a critical buttress to current energy infrastructure and will continue to gain prominence as traditional sources of energy, such as fossil fuels, are gradually phased out. In this vein, catalyst technologies based on earth-abundant metals are an important emerging strategy as they offer many […]

Green Chemistry Case Studies in the Undergraduate Curriculum

The current ACS Guidelines for Undergraduate Chemistry Programs include requirements to introduce students to green chemistry, sustainability, and systems thinking ideas. Specifically, the guidelines encourage using case studies to teach these topics and connect chemistry content to environmental, health, regulatory, and business considerations that influence chemical processes and product design. This technical session will feature […]

Hydrothermal Liquefaction as Resilient Water Infrastructure for the Future

Water infrastructure systems face numerous challenges including aging facilities, emerging contaminants, and increasing demands for resource recovery. Current approaches are often not well suited to manage emerging challenges and addressing them may require technological solutions that have not yet been implemented in an operational environment or have not yet achieved widespread acceptance. Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) […]

Redefining Excellence: The Future of Metrics & Data for Green Chemistry Evaluations in Pharma

Green chemistry evaluations are fundamentally grounded in metrics, which provide a systematic approach to assess the sustainability of chemical processes. Quantitative metrics, such as resource consumption, waste generation scores, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and other LCA categories are critical in providing objective data that can be compared across different processes and products. Furthermore, the pharmaceutical […]

4th Annual Edward Brush Green Chemistry Awards Symposium

Celebrating students and instructors who are doing impactful, innovative work in green chemistry or green engineering has been a tradition at the ACS Green Chemistry Institute (GCI) for more than two decades. This annual symposium was established at the 2023 Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference to feature presentations contributed by both instructor and student awardees. […]

Sustainable Chemistry in Action: Emissions, Efficiency & Infrastructure

As market dynamics continue to elevate the importance of transparency and sustainability, chemical manufacturers are increasingly adopting a sustainable growth mindset to remain competitive and compliant. Manufacturing operations are under heightened scrutiny as companies work to align with evolving environmental standards and stakeholder expectations. This symposium will convene industry leaders to examine how chemical companies […]

Sustainability in Organic Chemistry: Special Student/Post Doc Session

The development of new synthetic methodologies and strategies has been the cornerstone upon which sustainable industrial processes are built. The pure research advances arising from academia fuel the world s industrial innovation, while also training the scientific leaders of tomorrow. This special session highlights the research of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars across the broader, […]

ACS-CES Award for Incorporation of Sustainability Into Chemical Education Award Symposium

This symposium will feature five awardees selected by the ACS Committee on Environment and Sustainability (ACS-CES) that recognizes educators who have made exemplary contributions to the incorporation of sustainability into chemical education. The winners, to be determined by December 1, were selected from over twenty nominations and will represent a diverse group of national and […]

Developing Flow Solutions to Enhance Process Sustainability

This session is sponsored by Flow subteam of the ACS Green Chemistry Pharmaceutical Roundtable. Despite the exponential growth in research in continuous manufacturing techniques, the production of specialty chemicals and specifically pharmaceuticals remain largely dependent on batch processes. However, sustainability and logistical considerations suggests that this trend is slowly changing, though several technical hurdles still […]

Emerging Green Technologies at CDMOs in Pharma Manufacturing

CDMOs face increasing scientific and operational challenges in implementing greener and more efficient manufacturing processes. Time constraints, cost pressures, and limited development windows often hinder the adoption of innovative approaches at commercial scale. To overcome these limitations, many CDMOs have established platform and enabling technologies that accelerate process development and technology transfer. Examples include peptide […]

Quality Education: Building Bridges between Academia and Industry

The American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute (ACS GCI) has been working across sectors with a broad spectrum of stakeholders to promote the principles of green chemistry for more than two decades. As ACS celebrates 150 years of advancing science and building communities across the globe in 2026, we are highlighting the rapidly expanding role […]

Design of Novel Chemistries and Processes that Enable Sustainable Chemistry Innovation for Industry and Infrastructure

Based on the overwhelming responses for Sustainable Process Design for the last several years, we continue to bring the current and forefront research findings to our session. This session will highlight Innovation for Industry and Infrastructure focused processes that are inspired by novel design strategies leading to successful application of technologies to enable a circular-sustainable […]

Sustainable Strategies for Peptide, Oligonucleotide, and Bioconjugate Production in Pharma and Allied Fields

The use of peptides, oligonucleotides, and bioconjugates as therapeutics has experienced rapid and transformative growth in recent years, delivering substantial benefits to patient health and well-being. However, the production of these types of therapeutics has historically utilized processes that require the extensive use of hazardous reagents, large volumes of solvents, and high process mass intensity. […]

From Waste Steam to Value Chain: Chemistry Strategies for Plastics Recycling Processes

The combination of company ambitions/circularity commitments, evolving regulations across the globe requiring increasing recycled content, and stakeholder expectations is driving a need for higher quantities of recycled plastics. Traditional mechanical recycling provides a low cost and low CO2 emission solution for many applications, but many packaging applications have needs for even higher quality/higher purity recyclate […]

Thirty Years Ago. Thirty Years From Now.

If we can see the horizon it is because we stand on the shoulders of giants. This paraphrase of Newton is appropriate in reflecting on 30 years of the Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference both in recognizing the context of that past and viewing the horizon that the giants could not see. It’s possible that […]

Properties, Applications, and Industrial Potential of MetalOrganic Frameworks (MOFs)

Metalorganic frameworks (MOFs) are uniquely versatile materials with exceptional porosity and tunable structures, offering solutions for sustainable technologies. This symposium highlights advances in understanding MOFs properties and leveraging them for environmentally relevant applications. Presentations will also explore the potential for scaling promising MOF materials toward industrial applications in alignment with green chemistry principles. By connecting […]

Energy Transition in Africa and Beyond: Bridging Policy, Innovation, and Inclusion

The global transition to sustainable energy is accelerating, but its opportunities and burdens are not evenly shared. For Africa and much of the Global South, the challenge is not only to decarbonize but to do so while expanding access to affordable, reliable energy for rapidly growing populations. This dual imperative: closing energy-access gaps while shifting […]

Advancing Sustainable Processes in Pharma and Allied Industries via Green Chemistry Innovations

An annual session that highlights the groundbreaking research of ACS GCI Pharmaceutical Roundtable award winners, specifically Peter Dunn, CMO, the AI/ML awards, and Medicinal Chemistry. In addition, it will highlight innovative breakthroughs from the recipient(s) of our Grant program.

Design Frameworks for Safer Chemicals

Designing safer chemicals is central to advancing green chemistry and sustainability. This session will explore design frameworks that integrate hazard reduction into chemical innovation, focusing on how molecular properties, mechanistic toxicology, and predictive modeling can guide safer design. A special emphasis will be placed on endocrine disruption, a critical challenge for chemical safety that illustrates […]

Advances in Chemical Recycling of Plastic Waste for High-value Monomers and Chemicals

Polymer materials are indispensable to modern society, enabling technologies across packaging, transportation, electronics, healthcare, aerospace, and countless other sectors. However, their production relies mostly on fossil feedstocks, and most plastic products follow a linear make use dispose life cycle. With only about 9% of global plastics being recycled, the growing environmental burden and threats to […]

Natural Polymers as Sustainable Materials for the 21st Century

Material innovation is difficult and requires the alignment of enabling science and technology, critical scale and customers that take risks jointly to go from discovery to commercialization. At the forefront of these innovations are natural polymers that can be obtained from renewable feedstocks using chemical and biotechnological processes. While consumers are beginning to embrace sustainable […]

GC&E Start-Up Showcase

The GC&E Start-Up Pitch Showcase is a platform for groundbreaking businesses developing green and sustainable technologies that have the potential to shape a carbon-negative and less toxic future. From advanced biomaterials to circular economy solutions, participating start-ups will pitch their innovations to a panel of experts, investors, and industry leaders, gaining valuable insights and potential […]

From Innovation to Impact: Scaling Sustainable Chemistry in the Formulated Household and Commercial Products

Mature industries such as the formulated household and commercial product, coating, adhesive, and sealant industries face significant challenges in adopting and scaling sustainable solutions. Manufacturers experience high pressure from business and retail customers to keep costs low, discouraging formulation change. A sustainable ingredient or technology must bring an innovative or functional advantage that allows the […]

Chemistry for the Future: From Basic Science to Real-World Impact

The future of chemistry depends on molecules, materials, and processes that are functional, efficient, adaptive, healthful, and inherently sustainable. Achieving this vision requires innovation and design that eliminate harm, prioritize renewable resources, and utilize inherently safe and degradable substances. It also calls for a transformation in manufacturingfrom centralized and static to distributed, dynamic, and continuousand […]

Green Chemistry and Engineering Poster Session & Reception

The GC&E Poster Session and Reception draws the entire Conference together for two hours of poster presentations and refreshments. This is an excellent opportunity to share your research! Abstracts submitted to the poster session must meet the following criteria: Meets the definition of green chemistry or green engineering Potential impact on the field Development of […]

Circular Design of Bio-Based Polymer for Sustainable Bioproducts

Polymer industries are fundamental to modern production and daily life, playing a key role in the current economies. However, over the last decades, this sector has grown significantly, producing an increase in resource consumption and environmental impacts. It is also heavily dependant on petroleum-based monomers and polymers that are not designed for degradation or recycling, […]

Structural Roadmap Elements: Building the Backbone of ACS GCIPR 2045 Strategy

The ACS GCI Pharma Roundtable has been designing a Roadmap for NetZero/Sustainable Medicines. The focus will be to define a path to produce Net-Zero Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) while minimizing other hazards to human health and the environment within the next two decades. The areas to be covered are: 1. Circularity & Renewable Chemicals 2. […]

ACS GCI Industry Roundtable Poster Reception

Join us for an engaging poster session featuring cutting-edge research and innovations from industry leaders and emerging student researchers. Explore advancements driving sustainable chemical manufacturing, connect with peers across sectors, and enjoy a lively networking reception. This event is proudly sponsored by the ACS GCI Industry Roundtable and poster abstract submissions are invite only or […]

Driving Sustainable Product Design from Ideation to Commercialization

For a green chemistry technology to achieve sustainability goals, it must manifest in the real world. It must have excellent performance and appropriate cost. This session will feature companies that range from early-stage pre-seed entities to multinational brand name corporations. Case studies and “lessons learned” form both the technical side and the business side will […]

Harnessing AI-ML for Chemical Innovation, Process Optimization, and Sustainable Impact

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are revolutionizing chemical research by enabling predictive modeling and automation across molecular design and process chemistry. Advances in computational chemistry, such as quantum chemical calculations, density functional theory (DFT)-based property prediction, and ML-driven retrosynthesis planning, are accelerating the discovery of novel compounds and optimizing reaction pathways. In process […]

Chemistry for the Future: From Basic Science to Real-World Impact

The future of chemistry depends on molecules, materials, and processes that are functional, efficient, adaptive, healthful, and inherently sustainable. Achieving this vision requires innovation and design that eliminate harm, prioritize renewable resources, and utilize inherently safe and degradable substances. It also calls for a transformation in manufacturingfrom centralized and static to distributed, dynamic, and continuousand […]

Circular Bioeconomy in Action: Transforming Food Waste and Renewable Biomaterials into High-Value Products

This symposium explores how green chemistry can drive a circular bioeconomy by transforming food system residues and renewable biomaterials into high-value, low-impact products. Food waste and byproducts, rich in proteins, fibers, lipids, minerals, and bioactive compounds, are leveraged as strategic feedstocks rather than discarded as waste. Simultaneously, industry faces rising regulatory pressures, environmental challenges, and […]

New Greener Synthetic and Catalytic Technologies Relevant to to Industrial Processes in the Fine Chemicals Industry

This symposium will explore recent advances in catalysis driven by innovative ligand design and preparation strategies. Particular emphasis will be placed on technologies such as transition-metal catalysis, organocatalysis, and hybrid catalytic systems, which enable efficient construction of CC, CN, and CO bonds central to the fine chemicals industry. By showcasing processes that improve selectivity, scalability […]

Governing Material Change: Strategies for Circular Design, Compliance, and Supply-Chain Resilience through Industry-Academia Collaborations

Industries across pharmaceuticals, aerospace, automotive, electronics, construction, and chemicals face converging pressures from regulatory phase-outs (e.g., PFAS, REACH, TSCA), volatile supply chains, and rising sustainability expectations. This half-day session places circular chemistry at the technical core: molecule- and route-level design choices (synthesis routes, formulations, de-polymerizable chemistries, benign solvents) that determine sustainable product performance, recyclability, persistence, […]

Next Generation Photo- and Electrochemical Methodologies and their Applications to Sustainable Synthesis and Manufacturing

This symposium showcases how photo- and electro-chemistry are transforming organic synthesis and pharmaceutical development by enabling greener, safer, and more efficient processes under mild conditions. Academic and industry leaders will present scalable case studies and emerging innovationsfrom synthetic methodology and mechanistic/computational insights to their execution on scale up platformsthat unlock access to new bond disconnections […]

Increasing Accessibility while Reducing Hazards in Laboratories

Laboratory environments are foundational to chemical innovation, yet they have been designed with implicit assumptions that exclude disabled scientists and technicians while perpetuating unnecessary hazards for everyone. This session addresses a critical blind spot in how we approach both green chemistry and worker safety: accessibility is not separate from sustainability it is integral to it. […]

Management of Risk During Scale Up of New Chemical Technologies

Scale up of green chemical technologies often occurs under accelerated timelines, with pressure from investors and stakeholders to shorten development timelines as much as possible. This leads to enhanced risk during process development research and engineering design, especially if technologies are scaled to pilot level before they are significantly well understood. This symposium will dive […]

Fostering Global Networks for Green and Sustainable Chemistry

This symposium will focus on advancing Green and Sustainable Chemistry through international collaboration between Japan and partner countries. It will also showcase cutting-edge research being conducted in Japan across both academia and industry. In particular, the symposium will present how Japanese enterprises and academic institutions are promoting Green Chemistry and fostering globalization through innovative initiatives. […]

2025 Green Chemistry Challenge Award Winners

The Green Chemistry Challenge Awards celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2025 and has recognized 150 winners. At the 2026 GC&E Conference, we will celebrate the 2025 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards winners and provide them an opportunity to share their award-winning green chemistry technologies.

Green Chemistry Resources in the Classroom and Laboratory

Many resources are available for educators to aid student learning in green chemistry, like the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, chemistry education publications, Beyond Benign, and the ACS Green Chemistry Institute. Examples include the Green Chemistry Teaching & Learning Community (GCTLC), textbooks and webinars, the green chemistry teaching modules, and so much more. The goal of […]

Green Chemistry Resources in the Classroom and Laboratory

Many resources are available for educators to aid student learning in green chemistry, like the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, chemistry education publications, Beyond Benign, and the ACS Green Chemistry Institute. Examples include the Green Chemistry Teaching & Learning Community (GCTLC), textbooks and webinars, the green chemistry teaching modules, and so much more. The goal of […]