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1999 PRESIDENTIAL GREEN CHEMISTRY CHALLENGE WINNERS

Release Date: 07/01/99
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FOR RELEASE: THURSDAY, JULY 1, 1999

On June 28, EPA’s Deputy Administrator, Peter Robertson, announced the winners of the 1999 Presidential Green Chemistry Award at a ceremony held at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C. President Clinton established the Green Chemistry Awards in 1995 to promote pollution prevention and industrial ecology. This program was designed to recognize and promote innovative chemical technologies that accomplish pollution prevention through source reduction. Five winners were selected from the more than 100 nominations that were reviewed by an independent panel of technical experts. For more information on the Presidential Green Chemistry Awards, call EPA’s Tracy Williamson at 202-260-3960 or visit the web site at: https://www.epa.gov/greenchemistry. The winners in the following categories are:

Academic: Professor Terry Collins, Carnegie Mellon University, was selected for his development of a series of iron-based catalysts that enhance the activity of hydrogen peroxide in bleaching processes in the pulp and paper, water disinfection, and laundry industries. These peroxide activators reduce hazards in the environment by eliminating by-products such as dioxin that come from the traditional chlorine bleaching processes.

Small Business: Biofine Inc., was selected for designing a process that converts paper mill sludge, municipal solid waste, unrecyclable waste paper, waste wood, and agricultural residues to a versatile chemical. This chemical can be used to manufacture chemical products such as an oxygen increasing fuel additive, and a non-toxic, biodegradable pesticide activated by sunlight that selectively kills weeds without affecting most major crops.

Alternative Synthetic Pathways: Lilly Research Laboratories was selected for designing a newer manufacturing process for a central nervous system drug that eliminates chromium from the waste stream and reduces the amount of chemical solvents in the process.

Alternative Reaction Conditions: Nalco Chemical Co. was selected for developing a new water-based process for manufacturing liquid polymers. This new manufacturing process eliminates the use of hydrocarbon solvents and surfactants required in high volume with traditional emulsion polymers.

Designing Safer Chemicals: Dow AgroSciences was recognized for developing Spinosad, an insecticide that reduces risk to the environment. Spinosad is produced from naturally occurring microorganism and targets chewing pests in cotton, trees, fruits and vegetables without harming most beneficial insects, animals and birds.

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