Green Chemistry Leaders Share Progress at IUPAC 2025 Congress

The Green Chemistry for Life Programme and Its Impact on Global Science

At the IUPAC 2025 World Chemistry Congress in Kuala Lumpur, which celebrated its 50th anniversary with the theme “Chemistry for a Sustainable Future,” recipients of research grants from the Green Chemistry for Life programme presented their progress. This initiative, launched by PhosAgro, UNESCO, and IUPAC, has supported young scientists across the globe. Over 3,000 delegates attended the event, highlighting the significance of sustainable chemistry and its role in addressing global challenges.

As part of the congress, an international symposium titled “Green Chemistry: Experience and Opportunities for Cooperation for a Sustainable Future” was held. It brought together leading scientists, industry representatives, government agencies, and international organizations. The symposium featured presentations on the outcomes of the Green Chemistry for Life grant programme, which has awarded grants to 55 young scientists from 33 countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, North America, and Latin America. Over eight rounds, more than 1,000 scientific works were reviewed.

Lidia Brito, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, emphasized the importance of the partnership between PhosAgro, UNESCO, and IUPAC. She stated that the Green Chemistry for Life programme supports young scientists worldwide by providing up to USD 30,000 in funding for research in green chemistry. This support enables researchers to explore innovative solutions that contribute to a more sustainable future.

Professor Paul Anastas, founder of the green chemistry concept, highlighted the collaboration fostered by the programme. He noted that it has accelerated the application of science from the youngest and most creative minds, turning theoretical concepts into real-world impact. Anastas also praised the partnership between the private sector and international institutions as a model for effective collaboration.

Siroj Loikov, PhosAgro’s First Deputy CEO, expressed the company's commitment to sustainability. As a leading fertilizer producer, PhosAgro recognizes its responsibility to future generations. He thanked UNESCO and IUPAC for their support in launching the grant programme, which has become a symbol of shared success and progress.

During the symposium, grant recipients had the opportunity to share how the programme has impacted their lives and research. Dr. Hamdy Hefny, a 2019 grant recipient from Egypt, discussed his project exploring the use of phosphogypsum to recover critical and rare earth elements. He shared promising results from laboratory research and mentioned that a local company is interested in scaling up the process for industrial implementation.

Another grant recipient, Dr. Mohamad Azuwa Mohamed from the National University of Malaysia, focused on converting phosphogypsum waste into functional photocatalysts. His team has successfully demonstrated the concept at a laboratory scale and is now working on scaling it up. They are also exploring the potential of phosphogypsum-based materials for wastewater treatment and environmental remediation.

Bogdan Karlinsky, a 2024 grant recipient from Tula State University, spoke about how the grant enabled him to shift towards applied biotechnological research. His project involves processing toxic substances during plant biomass pretreatment to improve biofuel production efficiency. He believes the findings could offer valuable solutions for the clean-fuel sector.

Hassan Anwar, a scientist from Pakistan’s National University of Sciences and Technology, shared progress on his project to develop slow-release fertilizers. These fertilizers optimize nutrient delivery, conserve water, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Anwar emphasized the potential of these fertilizers in improving agricultural productivity and food security.

Professor Natalia Tarasova, a member of the Green Chemistry for Life jury, praised the programme's impact. She noted that the grant recipients addressed a wide range of environmental and scientific issues, demonstrating the versatility of green chemistry. Tarasova expressed confidence in the programme's future, citing its potential for educational and technological advancements.

PhosAgro, a vertically integrated Russian company, is one of the world’s leading producers of phosphate-based fertilizers. The company’s products are used globally, with priority markets in Latin America, Europe, and Asia. PhosAgro’s shares are traded on the Moscow Exchange, and its global depositary receipts are listed on the London Stock Exchange.