Learn more by attending the session ”Towards a more Sustainable Lab” at the analytica conference, on April 10 at 3:30 PM in ICM/room 3. Dr. Frank Michel, Scientific Education & Sustainability for Chemistry, at Merck KGaA Darmstadt Germany, will be part of the panel on “Sustainability in the Lab with Greener Analytical Chemistry”

Labs consume significantly more energy and water and generate more waste than offices or households. Reason more for laboratories to tackle now the sustainability concerns. Our motivational talk clarifies what the 12 Principles of Green Analytical Chemistry are. This event will provide visitors with numerous opportunities to become sustainable in the lab; beyond reducing electricity, optimizing resource consumption and waste generation. Dr. Frank Michel will give a clear focus on practical examples for analytical chemists, so they can gain insight on how to integrate sustainability practices throughout their testing workflows.

Sustainable chemistry is essential – not only for our company but also for our customers. We offer many solutions to practice sustainable science throughout the value chain, ranging from greener laboratory chemicals and greener synthesis methods to packaging and waste reduction, which minimize environmental impact, improve lab safety and reduce costs. The aim of green chemistry is to reduce chemical-related impact on human health and virtually eliminate contamination of the environment through dedicated, sustainable prevention programs. Green chemistry searches for alternative, environmentally friendly reaction media and at the same time strives to increase reaction rates and lower reaction temperatures.

The green chemistry concept applies innovative scientific solutions to solve environmental issues posed in the laboratory. Paul T. Anastas, an organic chemist working in the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxins at the EPA, and John C. Warner developed the Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry in 1991. These principles can be grouped into "Reducing Risk" and "Minimizing the Environmental Footprint."