Society depends on chemistry far more than we consciously realise, from medicines to energy to electronics. However, chemistry is viewed with as much apprehension as gratitude, because of the pollution and health problems that some chemicals cause.

There is a strong desire to have all the benefits of chemistry, but none of the downsides. This has led to terms like “chemical free product” coming into popular usage.

Of course it’s impossible to have a chemical free product – the ingredients in these products are still chemicals. But they employ a different approach, using benign ingredients from nature. These innovative products are examples of “green chemistry”.

Green chemistry takes a holistic – all encompassing – approach to the production of chemicals. This approach brings chemistry into balance with nature and avoids harm. Green chemistry protects the environment and considers the future by design.

Examples of green chemistry include using compounds derived from seaweed to replace man-made plastics. Another is capturing CO₂ from power plants and transforming it into more sustainable fuels for jets and ships. The........

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