Addressing the Environmental Sustainability of Biochemicals
Written by Shashank Deepak
Edited by Kriti Iyer
April 5, 2024
Edited by Kriti Iyer
April 5, 2024
Research
Think of substances with a plethora of uses that are used everyday in every corner of the globe, in nearly every physical form and yet their existence is taken for granted. Sound familiar? These substances are biochemicals. The biochemical industry is one of the largest industries in the world, whose products often make up the essentials of modern living. However, their production and environmental consequences are aspects that are often ignored.
Industrially produced biochemicals have a wide range of applications across various industries which are driven by the specific properties and functions of these chemicals. Agricultural products, bioplastics, dyes, cleaning products, pharmaceuticals and biofuels are just some of their many uses. As technology and research advance, we continue to find new applications for industrially produced biochemicals, but we need to emphasize sustainability and environmentally friendly processes. The improper or unsustainable use and production of biochemicals has led to a host of environmental issues including global warming, habitat loss, water pollution, eutrophication and the generation of toxic waste. (Ögmundarson, 2020)
Today, academia and industry have joined forces to answer this growing problem. The continuity of our lifestyle and the luxuries we take for granted depends on our ability to produce and use these chemicals in a way that minimizes the harm inflicted on the natural world.
Recent studies have used an ISO standardized tool, the life cycle assessment (LCA), to record related progress by quantifying environmental sustainability performance of chemical products along their life cycles. When a product or process is ISO standardized, it means that it adheres to specific criteria and requirements outlined in international standards established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) relevant to its domain (Ögmundarson, 2020). Researchers concluded that the biochemical industry should use LCA and similar methods, to directly study and identify hotspots for impact of biochemicals, thus allowing them to develop methods to estimate large scale performances. Studies identified the use of biotechnology as a significant contributor to dealing with the sustainability issues that plague the industry today (Ögmundarson, 2020).
In the face of global environmental challenges, the need for the responsible and sustainable management of biochemicals is evident. These versatile compounds hold the promise of addressing pressing issues in healthcare, agriculture, and industry, but they must be harnessed with a profound commitment to ecological responsibility (Ögmundarson, 2020).
Sustainable management of biochemicals is not merely an option; it is an ethical imperative that by adopting sustainable practices and embracing a holistic approach to the lifecycle of biochemicals, we can mitigate environmental harm, conserve resources, and reduce our carbon footprint.
This begs a call to action that transcends industries and borders. Governments, businesses, and individuals must collaborate, recognizing that the choices we make today have far-reaching implications for the world we leave to future generations. The sustainable management of biochemicals represents a critical step toward a more harmonious coexistence between human progress and the preservation of our planet. As stewards of our environment, we have the power to shape a cleaner, more prosperous, and ecologically responsible tomorrow through the sustainable management of biochemicals.
Reference article
Ögmundarson, Ólafur, et al. “Addressing Environmental Sustainability of Biochemicals.” Nature Sustainability, vol. 3, no. 3, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, Jan. 2020, pp. 167–74. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-019-0442-8
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ögmundarson, L., Herrgård, M. J., Forster, J., Hauschild, M. Z., & Fantke, P. (2020, January 13). Addressing environmental sustainability of biochemicals. Nature Sustainability, 3(3), 167–174. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-019-0442-8
Nong, Duy, et al. “Long-term Impacts of Bio-based Innovation in the Chemical Sector: A Dynamic Global Perspective.” Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 272, Elsevier BV, Nov. 2020, p. 122738. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122738.
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