Viridis Chemical, a member of Bio Nebraska, has been named a winner of the EPA’s 2024 Green Chemistry Challenge Award for developing a process for making ethyl acetate, a solvent widely used in industry and consumer products, from corn instead of chemicals derived from coal or methane.
Press Release by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Sept. 30, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the winners of the 2024 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards for new and innovative green chemistry technologies. This year’s winners have developed chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the generation and use of hazardous substances, use less energy, and are more sustainable.
“This year’s Green Chemistry Challenge Award winners developed innovative technologies that are driving us forward in new ways to help prevent pollution and protect human health,” said Jennie Romer, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pollution Prevention in EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “EPA has been presenting awards for green chemistry for more than a quarter-century, and it’s never been more important to recognize innovations that make our air cleaner, eliminate chemical waste and advance our progress in the fight against climate change.”
An independent panel of technical experts convened by the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute formally judged the 2024 submissions and made recommendations to EPA. The winners are being recognized at a ceremony today in New York City as part of Climate Week NYC.