The ACS Green Chemistry Institute, in partnership with industry leaders Colgate-Palmolive and Dow, is launching the Natural Polymers Consortium (NPC) to explore the utilization of natural polymers to catalyze greener chemistries. Companies working in this area, as well as academics and NGOs interested in developing relevant chemistries, are invited to join.
Events
ACS Fall 2023 Symposium
The NPC will be holding a symposium at ACS Fall 2023 in San Francisco titled “Natural Polymers – A Back to the Future Approach to Deal with the Plastics Issue”. This symposium will feature industrial and academic perspectives on natural polymers—whose backbone structures are created by nature—to address plastic pollution. The scope of the work includes, but not limited to applications in paper packaging and its barrier coatings, dissolvable natural polymer packaging forms, carbon negative materials, material bio-engineering technologies to produce natural polymers, e.g., PHAs, synthetic biology, and natural/enzymatic degradation of polymers.
- August 15, 2023, 8 – 11:20 a.m. and 2-5:30 p.m.
- August 16, 2023, 8-11:20 a.m.
- Location: San Francisco Marriott Marquis, Salon 3-4
NPC Reception
The NPC will hold a reception from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, August 15 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Twin Peaks Room, 4th floor.
NPC Meeting
Potential NPC members are invited to participate in a hybrid roundtable meeting on Wednesday, August 16 from 2-5 p.m. to discuss the group structure, membership, and strategic priorities. The in-person part of this meeting is at the Intercontinental Hotel, Cathedral Hill Room, 4th floor. There may be a virtual option. Please contact Isamir Martinez if you would like to participate.
Past Events
- May 2023 kick-off call brought over 60 prospective members together to discuss the formation of the NPC.
Our vision is to build material circularity to meet human needs while maintaining the integrity of the environment. Our mission is to explore the development and application of natural polymers, especially in the areas of packaging materials and formulation ingredients (e.g., in personal care, home care, and agricultural applications). Join our discussions as we build a formal mission and strategy.
Strategic Priorities
What the NPC intends to do:
- Form a collaboration among industry, academia, NGOs, and Government to provide an alternative solution to the environment problems of plastic pollution and climate change
- Focus on the exploration of natural polymers
- Make commitments, invest funds and resources, brainstorm ideas, and implement solutions
- Identify and prioritize areas to work on
- Support fundamental research and practical development
- Build on the accumulated knowledge of polymer structure and performance, as well as plastic applications
Companies working in this area, as well as academics and NGOs interested in developing relevant chemistries, are invited to join. At this point, the membership fees and structure have not been established.
Questions? Email Us.
Press
ACS GCI Launches the Natural Polymers Consortium
May 2023 | The Nexus
