SOMETIMES a task can seem too daunting. That’s how we at the life science business of Merck felt when we repeatedly got requests for lifecycle analysis (LCA) for our products. You may be saying, “Yes, they’re detailed, but come on.” Well, doing LCAs for more than 300,000 products isn’t an easy task. Was there a better way to tackle these requests?
As part of our employee spotlight series, we’re sitting down with Ettigounder (Samy) Ponnusamy, fellow and global manager, green chemistry at MilliporeSigma, to learn more about the work he’s doing to move the needle. The life science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada.
1. How did you get your start with MilliporeSigma?
I recently had the fortune to visit one of our customers, and this visit was unlike any other I’ve ever had. To understand how we got to this day in March, let me give you some flavor of how these experiences usually go for context.
May 6, 2019 /3BL Media/ To help scientists, researchers and manufacturers reduce their environmental footprint, MilliporeSigma expanded its DOZN™ system — an industry-first quantitative green chemistry tool that evaluates the relative greenness of chemicals and chemical processes against the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry. Through MilliporeSigma’s DOZN™ 2.0, customers can now calculate the green scores of their own processes and products.
Those in the chemical industry may be aware of the growing interest in green chemistry, the concept of developing chemical processes and products that reduce the production of waste and hazardous substances. This idea is not new, however. In fact, roughly 20 years ago, chemists, Paul Anastas and John C. Warner, published the 12 principles of green chemistry.
As many chemists turn to greener options in the lab, they face the challenge of properly evaluating the “greenness” of a chemical or process
Article
Problem: As many chemists turn to greener options in the lab, they face the challenge of properly evaluating the “greenness” of a chemical or process. The 12 Principles of Green Chemistry— developed by Paul Anastas and John Warner—provide a global framework that helps scientists learn about green chemistry and how to design or improve materials, products, processes, and systems.
In the ’60s, Aretha Franklin created an anthem that still rings true today. She asked for something simple…respect. And just in case the receiver of that message didn’t get it, she spelled it out for them — literally. While respect isn’t my request today, it is for something in the same vein. Over the past few months, I’ve had several situations at work or in my personal life in which I’m left perplexed. Either I thought I knew what was going on or thought I was clear on what a frame was, but apparently not — so all I’m askin’ for is a little…clarity.
By Ettigounder (Samy) Ponnusamy and Jeffrey Whitford
Article
MilliporeSigma created a unique web-based greener alternative scoring matrix, also known as DOZN™a quantitative green chemistry evaluator based on the 12 principles of green chemistry. The 12 principles of green chemistry provide a framework for learning about green chemistry and designing or improving materials, products, processes and systems. The DOZN™evaluatorscores products based on metrics for each principle and aggregates the principle scores to derive a final aggregate score.
I have a vitriolic reaction to the word innovation. I’ve actively tried to scrub it from my vocabulary. I am also that painful colleague who raises an eyebrow when I hear the word—or even worse—forces the issue in discussion to really understand if we’re using the word correctly. There’s this expectation in the corporate world that innovation is the Holy Grail—the one and only path—but when you look at what actually happens in corporate land, innovation is scarce to be found. What’s even more disappointing is a sense of malaise when people hear the word volleyed about.
