From green to circular chemistry paved by biocatalysis

Since its origin, green chemistry has headed the best-guiding philosophy for reducing pollution and safeguarding the environment. The twelve Principles of Green Chemistry provide us with enough tools to design sustainable transformations and implement industrial processes by means of renewable feedstocks. All these processes, to avoid or minimise waste production, require not only selective and efficient catalytic transformations with high atom and energy efficiency but also clean separation processes, and the use of non-toxic and safe products. Biocatalysts synthesized by the green chemistry and circular economy principles can constitute the most important and efficient strategy for achieving many of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations. This will drive our society to a sustainable future by reducing the consumption of resources and drastically minimising the environmental impact of our recalcitrant wastes. This perspective illustrates by a series of selected examples how green and circular chemistry based on biocatalytic processes can pave synergies for sustainable development.

Automated summary

Since its inception, green chemistry has been the guiding principle for reducing pollution and protecting the environment. The twelve Principles of Green Chemistry provide tools for designing sustainable transformations and implementing industrial processes with renewable feedstocks. By utilizing clean separation processes and non-toxic products, these processes aim to minimize waste production. Biocatalysts synthesized according to the principles of green chemistry and circular economy play a crucial role in achieving the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals, leading to a sustainable future by reducing resource consumption and environmental impact.