First of its kind, SusChemE, an international conference on sustainable chemistry and engineering was inaugurated in Mumbai on Thursday with eminent scholars, scientists, industry leaders participating. The two day conference organized by Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai had expert lectures, technical presentations and CEO conclaves under different topics of sustainability. The sessions were on nanotechnology, wastewater treatment, catalysis, bio-catalysis, energy and collaborations of industry and science, which got concluded on Friday.

Padma Vibhushan Prof. M M Sharma, Emeritus professor of eminence, ICT, said "there is nothing called waste in chemistry and engineering in sustainable point of view. Time has already changed and used many which were previously considered as wastes. For a better environment friendly chemistry, people in education and industry should come together to innovate the way we use our resources today. Sustainability is attained only when there there is an improvement in efficiency."

Prof. G D Yadav, vice chancellor, ICT, said "Swatch Bharat is an initiative of Indian government to clean our society and maintain beauty of environment. Sustainability in chemical and engineering can contribute to this initiative in a big way. In fact there is a need for innovation and collaborative functioning in this industry to make it possible. Manipulation of older methods for strengthening of industrial functioning and altering the way of innovation will be crucial for future movements."

Jae Sung Lee, School Energy and chemical engineering, Ulsan National institute of science & technology, Korea, said "Green chemistry aims to efficiently utilize renewable raw materials, eliminate waste and avoid use of toxic and hazardous reagents and solvents in the manufacture and application of chemical products. Hence advancements in catalytic science and technologies through nanotechnology are most impacted and vital. The syntheses of chemical usually happen through multiple catalytic steps. The world population is rising at an alarming rate, particularly in the developing world. There will be a huge resource crunch and providing sustainable supply of energy and materials is a herculean task."