WASHINGTON, D.C. – For the 14th year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is recognizing chemical technologies developed by leading researchers and industrial innovators who are making significant contributions to pollution prevention in the United States. The Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards are given in five categories: Academic, Small Business, Greener Synthetic Pathways, Greener Reaction Conditions and Designing Greener Chemicals.

 

The 2009 Award winners are: Professor Krzysztof Matyjaszewski, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA; Virent Energy Systems Inc., Madison, WI; Eastman Chemical Co., Kingsport, TN; CEM Corp., Matthews, NC; and Procter & Gamble Co., Cincinnati, OH, jointly with Cook Composites and Polymers Co., North Kansas City, MO.

 

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.

 

Cook Composites and Polymers Co. and Procter & Gamble Chemicals received the award for Chempol® MPS technology, which was developed and commercialized through collaborative efforts.

 

Chempol MPS is a Sefose®-based alkyd resin technology that enables formulation of paints and coatings with significantly less VOCs than traditional solvent-borne alkyd coatings. Chempol MPS alkyd resins are specially formulated to perform similarly to petroleum-based polymers while delivering both an improved environmental profile and an enhanced consumer usage experience.