Multilateral workshop on Green Chemistry
The workshop will explore the incorporation of green chemistry methodologies into the sustainable production of biofuels.
The UK Science and Innovation Network, through its South Africa and India posts, has partnered with the Royal Society of Chemistry to host multilateral workshop on Green Chemistry for the Sustainable Production of Biofuels.
Biofuels are fast becoming one of the main alternative resources for energy owing to their low levels of overall carbon dioxide emissions. However, the types of catalysts and solvents currently used in the processing of biofuels are not environmentally friendly and the current processes can lead to large volumes of waste. High temperatures, large quantities and unreliable stabilities of catalysts (especially in the presence of impure feedstocks), and removal of catalyst from the final product are just a handful of challenges which need to be addressed in order to produce biofuels with a low environmental footprint.
It is imperative to develop biocompatible and more stable catalysts, environmentally friendly solvents and strategies for utilizing by-products such as lignin, glycerine and free fatty acids. Such green chemistry will be essential for the sustainable production of biofuels moving forward.
On 22 August, a one-day workshop will be held following the 5th IUPAC International Conference on Green Chemistry in Durban, South Africa. The focus of the workshop will be to explore the incorporation of green chemistry methodologies into the sustainable production of biofuels. This workshop will be attended by delegates from the UK, South Africa, India, Brazil, Ghana, Ethiopia and Tanzania.
This workshop is jointly funded by the UK Science and Innovation Network’s Global Partnership Fund and the Royal Society of Chemistry.