Industrial applications of green chemistry: Status, Challenges and Prospects

Green Chemistry is expanding its wings from academic laboratories to industrial units. Sustainable practices include replacement of volatile organic solvents which constitute the bulk of a reaction material, developing recyclable catalysts, developing energy efficient synthesis and encouraging the use of renewable starting material. By following the principles of green chemistry, turn-over of many companies have increased immensely leading to both environmental as well as economic benefits. This review explores various examples wherein green chemistry has enhanced the sustainability factor of industrial processes immensely and suggests the measures which should be taken to promote as well as popularize the green practices in synthesis.