Green Chemists should not only focus on how chemicals are made but also must also think about how those chemicals are used more sustainably. Chemical leasing promotes a business model where manufacturers are selling services based on the effect of those chemicals rather than the chemicals themselves.  We need action and engagement by a wide range of stakeholders including academics, industrialists, policymakers, end-users, and consumers. Following on the ideas of chemical leasing, we recently proposed the adoption of a Moore’s Law for Chemistry (MLFC), namely that wherever possible, the amount of chemical(s) used to achieve a given effect should be decreased by a factor of 2 every five years. The key will be to make the whole concept, especially the economics, work for everyone which will require a change in business model for the chemicals market. This change could well be consumer driven rather than imposed by suppliers, though legislation might be needed to catalyse the change. In addition, customers will have to accept that they are, in essence, buying a service, rather than a quantity of chemicals. The MLFC concept could trigger the radical debate needed to unite all stakeholders behind a shared vision of a sustainable chemical future. Of course, any new chemicals used to support the MLFC should not increase unduly the environmental burden of chemical usage.  Nevertheless, if chemistry is to be sustainable and to contribute effectively to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we need to change the way that things are done.

Chemical leasing and the implementation of a Moore’s Law for chemistry

2019 Fall National Meeting

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