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Dear Change Chemistry community and friends,

Breaking down systemic barriers and making paradigm shifts takes a monumental, collective effort. Fortunately for us, the sustainable chemistry community is more powerful and dedicated than ever.

This month’s third annual European Forum in Belgium, hosted by our long-standing members Dow, was a tremendous success and the culmination of hard work and dedication that paid off in countless ways. Many attendees remarked that the event felt like connecting with family, underscoring the strong sense of community we have and continue to build together. These connections are the foundation of our progress, and we are excited to see them transform into collaborations and innovations.

The event was well-represented by an incredible, curated group of attendees and leaders from all over the world. The diversity of backgrounds and ideas enriched our discussions and strengthened our collective resolve to drive safer, sustainable chemistry forward.

In times like these, when most of the news we read and watch is disheartening, it's easy to forget that there are pockets of inspiration and hope even in the darkest places. The European Forum was, and will continue to be, a beacon of hope for me and many others. I trust that this hope will inspire action among all of us within our own communities.

For now, if I may, I’d like to ask for your help. Often at our events, through our content channels, and even in this email, we find ourselves preaching to the choir—you already understand the importance of safer, sustainable chemistry. To make real progress and achieve the change we wish to see in the world, we must reach beyond our current boundaries as an organization and community. We urge you to share the message of Change Chemistry, to relay this hope and inspiration to others, and to invite them into the open and safe space we've created. Let’s work together to empower others to join us as fellow change makers and change leaders. 

Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can achieve monumental things.

Read our team's takeaways from the Forum here. 

Our 2022-2023 Years in Review Report

We are thrilled to share the release of our 2022-2023 Years in Review report, showcasing the incredible strides we've made together. Over the past two years, Change Chemistry has evolved significantly, transitioning from The Green Chemistry & Commerce Council (GC3) into an independent, mission-driven organization with a fresh brand identity.

Key Highlights:

• Organizational Growth: We expanded our team by 35% and formed a new Member Advisory Committee to enhance member engagement.
• Global Reach: Hosted our inaugural European Forum, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable chemistry across borders.
• Policy Impact: Successfully advocated for sustainable chemistry in major legislations, including the Inflation Reduction Act.
• Community Engagement: Launched new platforms for collaboration, including U.S. Innovator's Roundtables and monthly webinars.

As we look ahead, we remain dedicated to driving the adoption of green and sustainable chemistry solutions worldwide. We invite you to join us in celebrating these accomplishments and continuing our mission to Change Chemistry.

From Daunting to Doable: How Green Rose Helps Businesses Embrace Green Chemistry

Embarking on a journey toward sustainability is often an enormous task for businesses and nonprofits. They must navigate the complexities of adopting new systems and processes while ensuring these changes are cost-effective. With these challenges in mind, Anna Zhenova founded her consultancy, Green Rose Chemistry. 

Realizing that there was significant demand for green chemistry expertise and guidance, she set out to bridge the gap. Green Rose is a key player in the movement toward a more sustainable chemical industry with a focus on chemical substitution, life cycle analysis, and sustainable product development. Anna's expertise not only helps companies implement greener solutions but also ensures they can communicate these changes confidently and avoid greenwashing. In this Q&A, we spoke with Anna about her commitment to green chemistry, her background and experience in the field, and the high-demand projects she leads with companies.

Join us in welcoming our newest member to the Change Chemistry community! Our members are leaders in driving the commercial adoption of green chemistry across industries and supply chains – including leading chemical companies, major brand manufacturers, large retailers, and innovative startups!

Interested in becoming a Change Chemistry Member? Join the community to connect with industry leaders, exchange ideas, and build new partnerships.

We’re buzzing about recent events, publications, and more on LinkedIn. Follow us to stay engaged! Here are some highlights from the past month:

• What We Learned in Accelerating the Industrial Transition with Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design webinar | Change Chemistry Executive Director Joel Tickner took part as a panelist in the ‘Reflections on #SSbD implementation’ session of a webinar organized by International SSbD (IRISS) network. 
• Key Takeaways From The Helsinki Chemicals Forum | Check out some key takeaways from the Helsinki Chemicals Forum attended by Dr. Asli Tamer Vestlund and Joel Tickner.
• Reflections from the 2024 European Forum | We have successfully completed another European Forum and what a whirlwind it was! A million thanks to our wonderful hosts Dow for making this event so unforgettable. Check out 5 key reflections from the event and stay tuned for more!

Explore opportunities for everybody in the Change Chemistry community!

• Understanding Evolving European Chemicals Policies - Part 4 | Join us on June 27 at 11 a.m. EDT for the fourth installment of this webinar series! We'll hear from Jan Ahlskog of FIPRA Public Affairs as we explore evolving regulatory and science-policy proposals such as the Restrictions Roadmap, Essential Use Concept, Mixture Assessment Factor, and the Generic Approach to Risk Assessment.
• Register for PSX 2024! (Product Stewardship Society) | Register today for PSX 2024, a premier conference for product stewardship professionals, which will be held in Denver, Colorado, from October 15 to 17. The conference will provide attendees with the latest trends in education, solutions to their daily challenges, and networking opportunities for hundreds of professionals across dozens of product uses and throughout the value chain.
• Change Chemistry Secondment Opportunities | Expand your skills while growing your value within your current company! Change Chemistry seeks a Public Policy or Program Manager who can travel to conferences and connect with industry executives, politicians, public servants, and sustainable chemistry experts around the globe. 
• Join the Change Chemistry Supply Chain Working Group (SCWG) | This monthly gathering brings together companies from all levels of the supply chain to create alignment across the supply chain and enable scaling and adoption of safer alternatives. If you would like to join us, contact Jenny MacKellar.
• Want to participate in a Change Chemistry webinar? | If you are interested in presenting in a Change Chemistry webinar and sharing your experiences, successes, and solutions with the wider Change Chemistry community, please contact Asli Tamer Vestlund.

Check out these stories from the sustainable chemistry community.

• GChELP Is Preparing Chemists for Success in a Competitive Landscape | Check out this FREE, asynchronous online resource created by leading industry chemists from the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute Pharmaceutical Roundtable! The Green Chemistry and Engineering Learning Platform (GChELP) is an easy-to-use online learning platform comprising multimedia modules on the synthetic green chemistry toolset, such as solvent selection, life cycle assessment, and process design. Explore the platform here. 
• What is Green Chemistry? — A Conversation with Joel A. Tickner, Ph.D. [Podcast] | Recently, Joel Tickner joined the All Things Chemical Podcast to discuss green chemistry and his significant contributions at Change Chemistry. Hosted by Lynn L. Bergeson of Bergeson & Campbell, P.C., the conversation covered his pioneering work, leadership at Change Chemistry, and the EPA’s implementation of amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for new chemical reviews.
• LPO Announces Conditional Commitment to Solugen’s Bioforge Marshall for Sustainable Biomanufacturing | The Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office (LPO) announced a conditional commitment intended to finance the construction of Bioforge Marshall, a new facility that will manufacture various organic acids for industrial use​—cutting harmful emissions from hard-to-decarbonize sectors while helping deliver healthier communities nationwide.
• EPA announces ban on toxic paint-stripping chemical with history of death and illness: 'This is big' | In April, the EPA just took a significant step forward in protecting Americans from toxic chemicals by banning most uses of methylene chloride, a hazardous solvent used in paint stripping that's been linked to dozens of accidental deaths since 1980. Learn more about this milestone in this article featuring Joel Tickner.

Hear from our team and community at these upcoming events!

• Product Sustainability USA 2024 | June 26-28 | Change Chemistry Director of Partnerships and Business Development Dr. Rui Resendes and Executive Director Joel Tickner will present at the 2024 Product Sustainability conference on needs and opportunities for sustainable products.
• Suppliers Partnership Innovation Summit | July 24-25 | This event focuses on building an understanding of critical barriers impacting the sustainability of the automotive value chain.  Our Director of Partnerships and Business Development, Dr. Rui Resendes, will discuss the role of safe and sustainable chemistry in enhancing automotive supply chain sustainability.
• ASC Sustainability Summit | Sept 23-25 | Come and listen to Dr. Rui Resendes present on how safe and sustainable chemistry will enable the next generation of adhesive technologies to support circularity and de-fossilization.
• CIEX Chemical Innovation Exchange | October 23-24 | Change Chemistry Executive Director, Joel Tickner, will be leading a discussion on accelerating commercialization and adoption of sustainable chemistry at this event engaging chemical industry leaders. 
• 2024 Innovators Roundtable | October 28 | Save the date for this highly attended hybrid event where the top minds in chemistry will convene to network, learn, and make real progress toward shaping the future of green and sustainable chemistry.