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Focus Areas


Nominated green chemistry technologies should be an example of one or more of the following three focus areas:

  1. The use of greener synthetic pathways

    This focus area involves implementing a novel, green pathway for a new chemical product. It can also involve using a novel, green pathway to redesign the synthesis of an existing chemical product. Examples include synthetic pathways that:

    • Use greener feedstocks that are innocuous or renewable (e.g., biomass, natural oils).
    • Use novel reagents or catalysts, including biocatalysts and microorganisms.
    • Are natural processes, such as fermentation or biomimetic synthesis.
    • Are atom-economical.
    • Are convergent syntheses.

  2. The use of greener reaction conditions

    This focus area involves improving conditions other than the overall design or redesign of a synthesis. Greener analytical methods often fall within this focus area. Examples include reaction conditions that:

    • Replace hazardous solvents with solvents with a lesser impact on human health and the environment.
    • Use solventless reaction conditions and solid-state reactions.
    • Use novel processing methods that prevent pollution at its source.
    • Eliminate energy- or material-intensive separation and purification steps.
    • Improve energy efficiency, including reactions running closer to ambient conditions.

  3. The design of greener chemicals

    This focus area involves designing and implementing chemical products that are less hazardous than the products or technologies they replace. Examples include chemical products that are:

    • Less toxic than current products.
    • Inherently safer with regard to accident potential.
    • Recyclable or biodegradable after use.
    • Safer for the atmosphere (e.g., do not deplete ozone or form smog).

Many green chemistry technologies fit into more than one focus area. Technologies that do not fit within at least one focus area may not fall within the scope of the program.

EPA is particularly interested in technologies that reduce or eliminate the following: lead; mercury; perfluorinated alkyl surfactants; polychlorinated or polybrominated biphenyls; diisocyanates; or other persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic substances.

Read on about the Award Categories.

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