U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7 - 11201 Renner Blvd., Lenexa, KS 66219

Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations

Viridis Chemical of Columbus, Nebraska, Wins 2024 Green Chemistry Challenge Award

Contact Information: EPA Press Office, press@epa.gov

LENEXA, KAN. (OCT. 3, 2024) – Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the winners of the 2024 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards for new and innovative green chemistry technologies, including Viridis Chemical of Columbus, Nebraska.

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.

Viridis Chemical won this year’s Small Business Award for developing a process to make ethyl acetate, a solvent widely used in industry and consumer products, from corn instead of chemicals derived from coal or methane. The hydrogen gas byproduct from the process can also be used to generate some of the energy required to operate the plant.

“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 Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pollution Prevention in EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Jennie Romer. “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.”

“Each year, the Green Chemistry Challenge recognizes the efforts and achievements of organizations developing new green technologies,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister. “We are proud to recognize Viridis Chemical for its 2024 Small Business Award and for its incredible innovation and the potential it brings to our region.”

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 were recognized at a ceremony last week in New York City as part of Climate Week NYC.

The other 2024 Green Chemistry Challenge Award winners are:

• Academic Category: University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware, for developing a process to generate three classes of lubricant base oils commonly used in vehicles and industrial machinery. The new method makes the oil from plants rather than petroleum-based materials. This process also eliminates some hazardous chemicals used in the traditional process.
• Greener Synthetic Pathways: Merck & Co. Inc. in Rahway, New Jersey, for developing a new “continuous process” for manufacturing an anti-cancer therapy drug. The new process prevents pollution by significantly reducing energy and water use compared to the traditional manufacturing process.
• Design of Safer and Degradable Chemicals: Pro Farm Group, a Subsidiary of Bioceres Crop Solutions in Davis, California, for developing RinoTec™ Technology, an enhanced microbial pesticide for crops, including corn, soybean, cotton and potatoes, that reduces the environmental load of other pesticides.
• Specific Environmental Benefit – Climate Change: PhoSul® in Sugar City, Idaho, for making phosphate fertilizer that avoids hazardous chemicals and waste emissions associated with traditional phosphate fertilizer production, such as strong acids, heavy metals, and radioactive materials.

EPA is currently accepting nominations for the 2025 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards from companies or institutions that have developed a new green chemistry process or product that helps protect human health and the environment. Nominations are due to EPA by Friday, Dec. 13, 2024.

Since the inception of the awards over a quarter century ago, EPA and the American Chemical Society, which co-sponsors the awards, have presented awards to 144 technologies that decrease hazardous chemicals and resources, reduce costs, and protect public health. Winning technologies are responsible for reducing the use or generation of nearly 1 billion pounds of hazardous chemicals, saving over 20 billion gallons of water, and eliminating nearly 8 billion pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents released to the air.

Visit EPA online to learn more about the 2024 winners and EPA’s Green Chemistry Challenge.

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