Sustainable Chemicals and Materials—An Update on Policy Drivers

Our materials economy is extremely reliant on a small number of feedstock chemicals, massive economies of scale and limited innovation – all of which is not sustainable. This dependency on fossil fuel derived chemicals and materials is at the epicenter of the dual crises of climate change and toxic pollution. However, global action on climate change, a growing focus on material circularity and increased attention on a transition towards safer and more sustainable chemistry are generating significant opportunities to rethink and recreate how materials are designed for the future.<br/><br/>Policy is in important driver supporting these changes. Advancing sustainable and renewable polymers and bio-based materials is dependent in part on government policies that help to counter-act the tremendous barrier that unsustainable incumbent materials have on the marketplace. This presentation will provide an update on policy developments, primarily those in the United States (US) and the European Union (EU), that are underpinning progress related to safer and sustainable chemicals, materials and products. Policies to be discussed include the US Sustainable Chemistry R&D Act, policy actions by US States including the California Safer Consumer Products regulation, and a range of policy developments in the EU tied to the Green Deal and the Chemical Strategy for Sustainability.