U.S. EPA Honors Green Chemistry

For the 12th straight year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized efforts in developing less-toxic alternatives to existing technologies and reducing or eliminating waste in the manufacturing process. The 2007 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards, which are described briefly below (Source: EPA), were presented earlier this summer at a ceremony held in Washington, D.C. The recipients join a respectable roster that EPA says has collectively led to the elimination of over 940-million pounds of hazardous chemicals and solvents, over 600-million gallons of water, and over 340-million pounds of carbon dioxide. Greener Synthetic Pathways Award — Development and Commercial Application of Environmentally Friendly Adhesives for Wood Composites:Adhesives used in manufacturing plywood and other wood composites often contain formaldehyde, which is toxic. Professor Kaichang Li of Oregon State University, together with Columbia Forest Products and Hercules Inc., has developed an alternate adhesive made from soy flour. The environmentally friendly adhesive is stronger than and cost-competitive with conventional adhesives. During 2006, Columbia used the new, soy-based adhesive to replace more than 47-million…