CHAPTER 1. Green Chemistry Principles and Global Drivers for Sustainability – An Introduction

Abstract

This chapter by way of an introduction gives a big picture overview of the importance of adhesives and sealants and the need for green chemistry. Global drivers for change are considered, which are inter-related to our need for materials but also the challenges of ‘doing the right thing’ for a sustainable 21st Century. The biobased adhesives and sealants market is growing commensurate with the need for more materials. More publications are now appearing in the literature with respect to biobased and renewable resources in the context of green chemistry. The latter is explored in this chapter, which defines the 12 principles and discusses green metrics and solvents. Green chemistry is linked to sustainability and the combination of the two often leads to life cycle assessment or analysis.