Victor Dehon, Vikant Patel
Sustainability is a key aspect in the design of any process, especially in the context of accelerating climate change, and with increasing demand and depleting resources it is essential that sustainability and efficiency are addressed in the development of innovation and invention.
This research project focuses on the development of a process to produce VAM (Vinyl Acetate Monomer), and ensure a sustainable yet profitable process, while also prioritising safety. With the demand of VAM rapidly increasing, the production rate must also be increased, however this also brings along the challenge of minimising the waste produced and the amount of material used in order to provide an efficient and sustainable process. This is a challenge many manufactures face.
From our research we have explored the variety of techniques and practices corporations implement to promote the 3 pillars of sustainability (economic, social and environmental). We have found that the attitude of companies towards environmental sustainability has changed with the pressure of tackling climate change, with many targeting a net carbon zero emission future. Although companies are aware of the importance of sustainability, we have found that it is not always a priority for them.
It sometimes discourages profitability and efficiency, a perspective that must be changed in order to maintain and improve the transition to a greener future.