Progress at a cost: The ecological impact of the chemical industry's breakthroughs
Standing at the forefront of major technological and medicinal advancements, the chemical industry plays an indispensable role in shaping our modern world. Yet, the processes driving today’s breakthroughs also lead to significant environmental challenges. These include hazardous waste production, resource depletion, and a considerable carbon footprint, which reached an alarming 935 million metric tons in 2022.1
As the world moves toward eco-friendly practices, the chemical sector faces mounting pressure to shift away from energy-intensive processes and transition to greener alternatives. However, reinventing the industry requires fundamental changes that impede its progression at the speed demanded by global needs and regulatory authorities. In this transformative landscape, the rise of digitalization and smart tools presents the opportunity to revolutionize the course of the industry, holding the keys for a faster transition to a greener future.
Boosting R&D efficiency through effective chemical data management
R&D teams handle vast information, from ingredient details and chemical formulations to data sheets and manufacturing processes. However, inadequate knowledge management systems can quickly turn valuable information into unusable “dark data,” accounting for an estimated 55% of an organization’s stored information.2 This unharmonized and siloed “dark data” scatters across disconnected systems, often leading to redundant experiments and unnecessary use of valuable resources. These inefficiencies can create additional waste and impede progress toward sustainable processes.
How CAS knowledge management experts can boost your R&D efficiency
Our data specialists design comprehensive, fully functional chemical data management platforms equipped with automated data collection to empower researchers with easy access to valuable information.
Through a solid chemical data management system, you can:
- Harmonize chemical entries with standardized formats and terminology to minimize human errors and eliminate discrepancies across teams.
- Facilitate data sharing to avoid experiment duplication and resource waste.
- Ensure data quality and integrity to lay a robust foundation for future analytics.
- Encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration and stimulate out-of-the-box thinking.
- Simplify decision-making and streamline R&D processes.
Download this case study to learn how structured chemical data management helped a top chemical company reclaim 3,300 hours of productivity.
Contact CAS Custom ServicesSM for knowledge management solutions adapted for your business.
Optimizing resource allocation and reducing waste through strategic data analytics
As a major consumer of natural resources and a prominent contributor to environmental pollution, the chemical sector accounted for a staggering 56% of all production-related waste generated in 2021.3 To reduce its ecological footprint and protect natural resources, the industry must focus on maximizing raw material usage and minimizing waste generation. However, the challenge is effectively identifying opportunities across workflows that turn consuming, long-standing processes into sustainable alternatives.
How CAS data specialists can enhance resource usage and reduce waste
By designing data analytics strategies tailored to your knowledge management system, our data specialists can help you unlock powerful insights about your specific manufacturing workflow and identify areas of excessive or inefficient consumption.
Through a combination of advanced data analytics and predictive models, you can:
- Identify patterns and trends in resource usage to pinpoint areas of excessive consumption.
- Predict future resource needs for proactive optimization measures.
- Compare resource usage and waste generation against industry standards to identify areas for improvement.
- Uncover repurposing opportunities to reintegrate waste byproducts into your chain value.
Download this case study to learn how a large health-tech organization repurposed 75% of its manufacturing waste using custom data analysis.
Contact CAS Custom ServicesTM to unlock the power of your data and reduce your environmental footprint.
Accelerating literature search and catalyzing innovation with the CAS SciFinder Discovery PlatformTM
In their quest for green innovation, chemical companies must navigate a continually expanding scientific landscape while assessing and optimizing formulations to meet both performance and environmental standards. The struggle to keep up with the rapidly evolving scientific landscape, coupled with the trial-and-error inherent in research, leads to extensive resource utilization and waste generation as the industry strives to meet sustainability goals.
The CAS SciFinder Discovery Platform provides cutting-edge scientific solutions to support your entire research process. Our platform, featuring CAS SciFinder®, CAS Formulus®, and CAS Analytical MethodsTM, allows you to:
- Access comprehensive industry insights curated by our experts from journals and patents around the world.
- Investigate chemical reactions and select green alternatives.
- Evaluate a formulation’s effectiveness by providing quick access to the best information for active ingredients and excipients.
- Uncover retrosynthetic pathways for novel and known targets using advanced algorithms.
- Find the best combination of procedures and equipment for your research needs.
Watch our webinar to explore the full potential of CAS SciFinder for advancing green chemistry.
Streamlining regulatory compliance with CAS Chemical Compliance IndexTM and CAS Registry ServicesSM
In the United States alone, agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are just a few of the many authorities regulating the chemical industry. Adapting to their complex, ever-changing sustainability guidelines demands considerable time and financial investments, which can significantly hinder the implementation of new, more environmentally friendly processes.
How CAS solutions can facilitate chemical regulatory compliance
CAS solutions offer unparalleled support in navigating the complex regulatory landscape, providing easy access to up-to-date chemical information to ensure stress-free submission and consistent compliance.
With CAS Registry Services and CAS Chemical Compliance Index, you can:
- Access comprehensive substance information, including properties, uses, and regulatory status.
- Establish a comprehensive and accurate audit trail to facilitate the preparation of regulatory documentation.
- Benefit from CAS expertise to ensure the accuracy of your submissions to avoid delays.
- Track regulatory changes and requirements, ensuring up-to-date compliance with evolving sustainability-related regulations.
Learn more about CAS Registry Services and CAS Chemical Compliance Index.
Revolutionizing the chemical industry: Embracing digital solutions for a sustainable future
The rising tide of sustainability has created a fundamental shift in the chemical industry, encouraging it to actively pursue eco-friendly alternatives which lessen its environmental footprint and conserve vital resources. CAS supports this transformative journey, providing researchers with customized data management systems, comprehensive literature reviews, and advanced digital tools. Strategically leveraged, these resources steer the industry toward a future of responsible and groundbreaking chemical manufacturing, where sustainability and efficiency converge.
Partner with CAS experts to accelerate your transformative journey.