GC3 Member Update - June 2021

GC3 Goes to Europe - Virtually!

From May 18 – 27, over 300 participants from Europe, North America, and Asia came together for the GC3’s first European Innovators Forum, a series of six online sessions focusing on perspectives specific to the European market, including the EU’s new Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. One of the Forum’s sponsors noted, “the conversations were insanely high quality...in comparison with other virtual events, it's been stellar.”

What was unique about this event? The GC3 brought its distinctly collaborative, full value chain approach to dialogue on a series of topics, including Strategizing to Advance Safer, More Sustainable Materials, Innovating Under the EU Chemical Strategy for Sustainability, and Exploring Functional Substitution as an Opportunity for Essential Use Management.

Policymakers, companies, NGOs and others had an opportunity to present, engage and explore themes together with ample examples from companies deeply engaged in developing and adopting safer, more sustainable chemistry. A retailer-focused session examined Going Beyond REACH to Meet Consumer Expectations, while the Driving for Carbon-Neutral Circular Materials presentations highlighted the GC3’s "Blueprint of Green Chemistry Opportunities for a Circular Economy." The final session, Commercializing Sustainable Chemistry in the EU, drew key lessons from 15 years of GC3 engagement with members to set the stage for discussion of the GC3’s emerging focus on collaborative innovation and commercialization.

The European Innovators Forum was a great opportunity to showcase how bringing together the full value chain in collaborative work can advance the development of safer, more sustainable chemistry across all sectors. Thank you to our host, Kingfisher, and sponsors AkzoNobel, BASF, Covestro, Merck, and Reckitt.

SAVE THE DATE!

With the European Innovators Forum wrapped, we are now focused on the virtual 2021 GC3 Innovators Roundtable, which will be held this fall from October 5-7. We will have a packed agenda of speakers, workshops and other opportunities to gather virtually and advance our mission to enable a global economy where all chemicals, materials and products are safe and sustainable from creation, disposal, and reuse.

Checking In on the GC3SCA

The GC3 Sustainable Chemistry Alliance is pursuing an ambitious policy agenda after enactment of the Sustainable Chemistry R&D Act at the end of last year. As a diverse and growing group of companies reflecting the entire breadth of the sustainable chemistry value chain, this broad coalition advocates for the development, scaling, and adoption of sustainable chemistry through constructive, bipartisan federal policy that nurtures opportunities for sustainable chemistry innovation.

Following 2020’s successes and momentum, the Alliance is currently working on three major priorities:

• To increase focus on sustainable chemistry across the Executive Branch, including robust implementation of the Sustainable Chemistry R&D Act across federal agencies
  
  
• To shift federal procurement policies to favor sustainable chemistry alternatives 
  
  
• To broaden awareness of the nexus between climate improvements and sustainable chemistry

In addition to driving sustainable chemistry innovation policy, joining the Alliance is an opportunity for participating companies to showcase their sustainable chemistry work on Capitol Hill and promote their commitment to economic development, innovation, and job growth -- all bipartisan issues. Members can join today and help drive sustainable chemistry forward. For more information, contact Michele Jalbert.

GC3 Team Update

The GC3 team congratulates Rachel Simon who is leaving the GC3 to join the Global Electronics Council in an exciting opportunity as Senior Manager of Technology Assessment and Resource Development. Over the past four years, Rachel has been made significant contributions to the GC3’s work, including establishing the Supply Chain Working Group and authoring the GC3 Blueprint of Green Chemistry Opportunities for a Circular Economy. She also played a central role in setting up the Association for Alternatives Assessment (A4). We are grateful to Rachel for not only her substantive work, but also her collaborative, creative approach, and look forward to working with her in her new role. We will share more information soon on how the Supply Chain Working Group and the GC3’s circular economy work will be supported as we move forward.