Solvent Selection for Circular Designs – Bridging Process Needs and Sustainability Goals

Abstract

Pharmaceutical industries play a crucial role in enhancing global health outcomes; however, like many other sectors, they also encounter significant environmental challenges. The extraction of raw materials and the manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) result in considerable waste production, substantial resource consumption, and environmental pollution. Transitioning from traditional linear economic models to circular processes presents an opportunity for more sustainable pharmaceutical operations that benefit both communities and the environment. The circular economy framework – grounded in resource efficiency, waste minimization, and material regeneration – offers a path towards comprehensive sustainability in pharmaceutical practices. This is particularly relevant in the area of solvent usage, which accounts for over half the input mass and associated waste in most processes. This article examines the application of circular economy principles to solvent selection within process design, highlighting its significance as a central component of sustainable pharmaceutical development.