View as Webpage

Dear Change Chemistry community and friends,

At Change Chemistry, we remain resolutely committed to our mission of catalyzing the development, commercialization, scale and adoption of safer and more sustainable chemistry technologies.

Given today’s uncertainties, we want to remind our members and prospective members that we are here to be a resource for you. We’re here to continue supporting your sustainable chemistry initiatives and equipping your champions with new relationships, state-of-the-art knowledge, and best-in-class tools — and we understand that doing so in today’s financial climate may require a more flexible approach. We’re committed to working creatively with you to maintain or secure your membership so that this critical work can continue without disruption.

To say that we are living through some interesting times is an understatement. Markets are becoming increasingly unpredictable; investors are uneasy, business priorities are shifting, and corporate leaders are responding to increasing demands from investors to protect markets and shareholder value. In today’s economic climate, it means a temptation to refocus human and capital resources away from sustainable chemistry transition initiatives towards projects with nearer term potential. We cannot succumb to this temptation. Sustainable chemistry is a key pillar of a company’s long-term health and ability to navigate a crisis. Such shifts will not only slow down progress but also place companies at a competitive disadvantage in the future, given increasing market, regulatory, and shareholder demands for safer and more sustainable chemicals. We know that changing chemistry takes time – measured in multiple years and decades – with sustained policy, investment, and market commitments.  While we may need to change our narrative or our approach with a changing economic and policy climate, this does not mean abandoning long term objectives.

We would like to stress that we are adaptable and willing to work creatively with you to renew or secure memberships in the face of this challenging financial climate. We are confident that if we stay focused and committed, we will come out of this stronger, safer, and more sustainable.

Engage in our projects and programs to help us keep building momentum.

• Scaling Sustainable Solvents Working Group: Building alignment across the value chain to accelerate the transition to safer solvents in consumer facing products. 
• Future Fit Materials: Supporting the development, scale and adoption of an alternative chemical or material that, within a specific application, is inherently safer and more sustainable than the incumbent. Join our webinar on May 8 to learn more! 
• Policy offerings: Our Transatlantic Working Group, US Policy Idea Exchange, and EU Policy Working Group support the advancement of policy incentives to accelerate the development, commercialization, and scale of sustainable chemistry products and processes. 
• Supporting Champions: Change Chemistry is launching a sustainable chemistry business resource group to support champions to advocate for the adoption and implementation of green and sustainable chemistry within their respective organizations. 
• Events: We host and collaborate on several in-person, virtual, and hybrid events throughout the year, including webinars and our annual Innovators Roundtable. 

We’re doubling down on sustainable chemistry — even when the path gets tough. Here’s the full letter on why it matters now more than ever.

Joel Tickner

Executive Director

Rui Resendes

Director of Partnerships and Business Development

Anna Montgomery

Operations Director

Umama Mahmud

Operations Manager

Jenny MacKellar

Program Director

Morgan Ward

Program Manager

How Scientific Data Is Powering Safer Chemistry: A Conversation with CAS

Scaling sustainable chemistry requires more than intent — it demands better information. In this Q&A, Change Chemistry speaks with Ian MacGregor and Molly Strausbaugh of CAS, a division of the American Chemical Society, about how scientific knowledge management is accelerating safer chemical innovation. From supply chain transparency to alternatives identification and AI-ready data systems, CAS is helping innovators overcome information barriers and make progress toward safer, more sustainable solutions.

2024 Year in Review: Turning Vision into Action

At Change Chemistry, we envision a global economy where all chemicals, materials, and products are safe and sustainable, from creation through disposal and reuse. To advance this vision, we drive the commercial adoption of green and sustainable chemistry by catalyzing action across industries, supply chains, and policy landscapes. 

In 2024, Change Chemistry expanded its influence, drove policy action, and catalyzed industry-wide collaboration to advance safer and more sustainable chemistry. With a 38% membership increase, policy wins at the highest levels, and expanded convenings, Change Chemistry delivered measurable progress across the value chain.

Members: Want to reference your participation in Change Chemistry in your company’s sustainability report? Learn how to talk about your membership and its impact.

In case you missed it: Registration is now open for the 2025 Innovators Roundtable! Join us for this premier event from September 9 to 11 online or in-person in Columbus, Ohio, to be at the forefront of sustainable chemistry.

This gathering brings together leaders in chemistry, sustainability, and innovation to tackle today’s biggest challenges and shape the future of green chemistry. Reserve your spot to connect with experts across industries, explore breakthrough solutions, and take part in interactive discussions on innovation, cross-value chain collaboration, workforce development, and more.

We’re buzzing about recent events, publications, and more on LinkedIn. Follow us to stay engaged! Here are some highlights from the past month:

• Change Chemistry Joins the Renewable Carbon Initiative | We’re proud to announce our new partnership with the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI), uniting our strengths to advance safer, low-carbon, and sustainable chemical innovation. By combining RCI’s deep market insights with Change Chemistry’s collaborative value chain approach and leadership in sustainable chemistry policy, we aim to accelerate the adoption of renewable carbon solutions across industries.

• Celebrating World Health Day with a Call for Safer Chemistry | On World Health Day, we reflected on the critical role sustainable chemistry plays in protecting human and environmental health. From consumer goods to industrial materials, transitioning to defossilized and detoxified chemistries is essential to ensuring safer products throughout their entire life cycle. At Change Chemistry, we remain focused on accelerating the commercial adoption of these solutions — and invite others to join us in that mission.

• Key Takeaways from ChemCon 2025 | Change Chemistry Executive Director Dr. Joel Tickner and Director of Partnerships & Business Development Dr. Rui Resendes recently attended ChemCon in Boston to share insights on scaling safer, more sustainable chemistry. Their message emphasized the importance of patient investment, cross-value chain collaboration, and strong policy incentives. Events like ChemCon underscore how sustainable chemistry is foundational to both environmental and business success.

• ICYMI: March Newsletter Highlights | Our March newsletter featured reflections from Dr. Rui Resendes on why the transition to sustainable manufacturing must include molecular accounting, not just carbon metrics. It also included an in-depth conversation with Battelle’s Shalene Thomas, upcoming events, and key stories from across the sustainable chemistry community.

Explore opportunities for everybody in the Change Chemistry community!

• Upcoming Change Chemistry Policy Meetings | Change Chemistry advances sustainable chemistry through a number of dimensions: policy education, coalition building, and advocacy — and there are upcoming ways to get involved. Join us on May 1 for the first monthly Transatlantic Dialogue on Policy Incentives meeting to help inform research by the Sustainable Chemistry Catalyst on global incentive policies, and on June 3 for the EU Policy Working Group Quarterly Meeting to discuss key EU developments and begin planning for a Brussels policymaker briefing. For more information about the Transatlantic Dialogue, contact Dr. Joel Tickner or Michele Jalbert. For the EU Policy Working Group, contact Michele Jalbert.

• Scaling Future-Fit Materials Webinar | Join us virtually on Thursday, May 8, from 12 to 1 p.m. EDT for a conversation on the transition to “Future Fit Materials” — safer, more sustainable alternatives that support circularity, de-fossilization, and business resilience. Co-hosted by Change Chemistry and Sustainable Brands, this webinar will explore the role of value-chain collaboration in scaling these solutions. Speakers include Dr. Joel Tickner and Sustainable Brands Chief Catalyst KoAnn Vikoren Skrzyniarz. Register here.

• Yale School of the Environment Green Chemistry for Climate and Sustainability Certificate Program | The 2025-2026 cohort deadline is approaching for this nine-month program designed for professionals and advanced students interested in applying green chemistry and engineering to global and local sustainability challenges. The program covers defossilization, hazard reduction, business drivers, and policy frameworks — no extensive chemistry background required. Scholarships are available and awarded during the application process. Apply by April 30 to join an international community advancing sustainable solutions.

• Want to participate in a Change Chemistry webinar? | If you are interested in presenting in a Change Chemistry webinar and sharing your experiences, successes, and solutions with the wider Change Chemistry community, please contact Morgan Ward.

Check out these stories from the sustainable chemistry community.

• New Report Highlights Takeaways from SSbD Workshop in Brussels | The Belgian Federal Public Service Economy recently published a post-event report summarizing the “Sustainable Chemicals and Safe and Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD)” workshop held in Brussels on December 9, 2024. The event convened over 200 participants — including EU authorities, industry leaders, and academic experts — to explore how SSbD frameworks can accelerate the transition to safer and more sustainable chemicals. Moderated by Change Chemistry’s Dr. Asli Tamer Vestlund, the event featured case studies from the Belgium Builds Back Circular initiative, breakout discussions on aligning policy and innovation, and a strong call to harmonize European regulations to support SSbD adoption across sectors.

• Job Opportunity: ChemFORWARD Seeks a Program Manager! | Our colleagues at ChemForward seek a Program Manager with a strong background in sustainability, safer chemistry, stakeholder engagement, and program management. ChemFORWARD is a science-based, non-profit organization committed to accelerating the adoption of safer chemistry through data sharing and cross-sector collaboration. Interested candidates should send a letter of interest and resume to Stacy Glass and Rachel Simon.

• National Security Commission Releases Biotechnology Action Plan | The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology has published a sweeping action plan urging immediate federal action to preserve U.S. leadership in biotechnology. The report emphasizes the strategic importance of biotechnology and its intersection with artificial intelligence, calling for investment in domestic manufacturing, supply chain resilience, and innovation infrastructure. With China accelerating its efforts, the Commission warns that the U.S. is at risk of falling behind unless bold steps are taken now to support economic and national security goals.

• Engage25 | May 6-7 | Join us at Engage25 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where Dr. Rui Resendes will deliver a keynote on aligning environmental goals with business success. This event will feature hands-on workshops, industry insights on compliance and sustainability, and networking with leading experts.

• Rethinking Materials Summit | May 13-14 | Join us at Rethinking Materials, a two-day summit in London focused on upstream innovation, material selection, and designing out waste. The agenda covers scalable solutions in packaging, textiles, hygiene, and more. Dr. Rui Resendes will be featured in a panel discussion alongside global leaders shaping the future of sustainable materials. Use code CCHEM10 for an extra 10% off registration.

• World Bio Markets 2025 | June 10-11 | Change Chemistry is thrilled to partner with World Bio Markets 2025, where we’ll host the panel discussion “Detoxification AND Defossilization — The Pathway to Sustainability.” Industry experts will explore how prioritizing safe and sustainable chemistry in innovation and policy can drive real progress toward corporate sustainability goals.

• 29th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference (GC&E) | June 23-26 | Join Change Chemistry at GC&E 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the premier global event for green chemistry and engineering hosted by the ACS Green Chemistry Institute. This year’s theme — Good Health & Well-Being Through Sustainable Chemistry — aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and will spotlight innovations that support human and planetary health. The conference will feature keynote talks from leaders at Pfizer, Oregon State University, Johns Hopkins, and more. Early registration is open through April 30.