Redefining Industrial Catalysis: Metrics and Methods for a Greener Future

Catalysis lies at the heart of sustainable synthesis in the chemical industry, offering pathways to greener, more efficient processes. Achieving true sustainability, however, demands a comprehensive perspective, spanning catalyst design and production, integration across the synthetic pipeline, mechanisms for catalyst recycling and reuse, and considerations regarding end-of-life waste.

This research topic invites contributions that highlight innovative industrial catalytic case studies, with a focus on approaches that advance both sustainability and economic viability. We strongly encourage submissions that adopt a critical lens, identifying pressing challenges and defining actionable solutions for the field.

Key Themes:
- Measuring Sustainability in Industry:
Insights into current practices, challenges, and emerging trends in sustainability assessment within industrial catalysis.

- Showcasing Industrial Case Studies:
Real-world examples where catalysis drives both economic benefit and environmental improvement in industrial settings.

- Sustainability Metrics—Existing and New:
Analysis of established industrial metrics for sustainability, and proposals for novel, critically reviewed methodologies.

- Environmental Impact of Waste and Solvents:
In-depth examination of waste generation, solvent use, and their environmental footprints in catalytic processes, with strategies for mitigation.

- Accessible Tools for Sustainability Evaluation:
Development and democratization of rapid assessment tools for early-stage sustainability analysis in process design and route selection.

- Bridging Industry and Academia:
Honest, realistic communication from industry to academia regarding the efficiency and sustainability challenges faced, and practical steps forward.

- Comprehensive Reviews of the Field:
Up-to-date state-of-the-art reviews highlighting advances, trends, and persistent hurdles in industrial catalysis and green chemistry.

We welcome original research, critical reviews, and perspective articles that reflect a holistic and forward-looking approach to catalysis for sustainable industry.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Keywords: Catalyst recycling, Sustainability assessment, Green chemistry, Sustainability metrics, Solvent reduction

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.