South Korea launches contest for green chemistry excellence

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment is hosting the ‘Industrial Green Chemistry Practice Excellence Case Contest’ to encourage companies to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals. Managed by the Korea Environmental Preservation Institute, the initiative aims to shift focus from post-management and disposal toward reducing hazardous substances during the initial design stages of products and processes.

Eligible participants include domestic companies that manufacture, import, or use chemical substances, based on their performance over the last five years. The contest specifically seeks cases involving the development or use of low-toxicity alternative substances or technologies to improve chemical safety.

Applications will be accepted from September 1 to September 18 via the Korea Environmental Preservation Institute website. Submissions will be evaluated based on scientific and technical innovation, safety, economic viability, and industrial impact. A total of eight companies will be selected by late October, with awards to be presented during ‘Chemical Safety Week’ on November 17. Selected cases will be compiled into a guidebook to promote green chemistry practices across the industry.