Carnegie Mellon Prof Wins 2009 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week recognized chemical technologies developed by leading researchers and industrial innovators with the 2009 Presidential Green Chemistry Awards, including a professor at Carnegie Mellon University.

Professor Krzysztof Matyjaszewski, Carnegie Mellon University, won recognition for developing a new way to manufacture polymers such as lubricants, adhesives and coatings which does not use hazardous chemicals.

EPA’s Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge promotes research and development of less-hazardous alternatives to existing technologies that reduce or eliminate waste, particularly hazardous waste, in industrial production. An independent panel of technical experts convened by the American Chemical Society selected the winners from nearly 100 nominated technologies.

Over the past 14 years, awardees’ work has led to the elimination of more than 1.3 billion pounds of hazardous chemicals and solvents, nearly 43 billion gallons of water, and about 450 million pounds of carbon dioxide. These benefits are in addition to significant energy and cost savings by the winners and their customers.

For more information, visit the Green Chemistry Challenge webpage.