Page 167 - CW E-Magazine (19-8-2025)

Special Report

byproducts and helping manufacturers logies are increasingly clear. By reduc- able synthetic platforms using Brønsted
scale processes without proportionately ing waste and energy consumption, acid catalysis are already demonstrating
increasing waste streams. companies can achieve signifi cant cost success in pilot programs, showing that
savings over the life of a product. For high-yield, low-waste reactions can be
Reducing emissions and pharmaceutical instance, fewer purifi cation steps trans- viable at commercial levels.
waste late directly into lower operational
While the pharmaceutical sector expenditures, shorter cycle times, and Furthermore, the evolution of green
represents a relatively modest share increased asset utilisation. chemistry toolkits is enabling pharma-
of global greenhouse gas emissions, ceutical companies to integrate sus-
its emissions intensity per dollar of Environmentally, the advantages tainability earlier in the R&D pipeline.
revenue exceeds that of the automotive are equally compelling. Processes built Investments in process intensifi cation,
industry. The cumulative eff ect of solvent on metal-free catalysis have a smaller such as continuous fl ow technologies,
use, energy demands, and chemical emissions footprint, require less hazar- are also likely to accelerate adoption
waste remains substantial. Traditional dous material handling, and align more by enhancing effi ciency and reducing
metal catalysts can be expensive and closely with circular economy principles. energy consumption.
challenging to recover, often ending These factors are likely to become even
up as hazardous waste that requires more decisive as green chemistry stan- CONCLUSION
special disposal. Metal contamination dards mature, and enforcement mecha- As the pharmaceutical sector con-
also complicates process development and nisms strengthen. tinues to evolve, embracing sustain-
can lead to batch failures if not rigorously ability will be fundamental to its future.
controlled. The recent surge in investment within Metal-free catalysis, particularly Brøn-
the green chemicals market underscores sted acid catalysis, represents a practi-
In metal-free homogeneous cata- the broader shift underway. According to cal and forward-looking approach to
lysis, Brønsted acids can be tethered to recent analysis, more than half of global greener drug synthesis. For emerging
polymer supports or confi ned within manufacturers are now willing to pay a scientists, this is an exciting space that
ionic liquids, allowing easy phase sepa- premium for eco-friendly alternatives, a combines innovation with purpose,
ration from reaction mixtures. Indus- sign that market incentives and regulatory allowing us to contribute meaningfully
trial partners have demonstrated solid- drivers are reinforcing each other. to both science and society.
supported sulphonic acid catalysts
that retain over 90% of their activity The outlook for broader adoption In the years ahead, sustainable
after ten consecutive cycles, generating While the benefi ts of metal-free chemistry will become not only the
less than 5% total waste by weight rela- catalysis are clear, widespread indus- norm but also the benchmark for excel-
tive to product. This contrasts sharply trial adoption will require addressing lence in pharmaceutical research and
with single-use metal catalysts, which practical challenges such as scalability, development. By investing in scalable,
often require costly metal scavenging reproducibility, and regulatory accep- low-impact catalytic methods today,
steps to meet purity specifi cations. tance. Encouragingly, ongoing research we are laying the foundation for a more
and industry collaborations are making responsible, resilient, and inclusive
By embracing reusable catalyst steady progress on these fronts. Scal- future in medicine.
cycles, manufacturers can also avoid
the volatile price swings associated Chemical Weekly | Import-Export Data | Market Surveys
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Freed from reliance on mined metals,
the pharmaceutical sector can stabi- The only organisation in India catering exclusively to the needs of the entire chemical industry
lize operating budgets and reduce
supply-chain risk, benefi ts that extend Contact:
far beyond environmental gains. SEVAK PUBLICATIONS PVT. LTD.
602-B, Godrej Coliseum, K.J. Somaiya Hospital Road,
Economic and operational benefi ts Behind Everard Nagar, Sion (E), Mumbai 400 022.
Sustainability is often framed as a Phone: +91-22-24044471 / 72
cost centre, but the economic benefi ts Email: admin@chemicalweekly.com
of adopting cleaner catalytic techno-

Chemical Weekly August 19, 2025 167

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