[Link]

20220119

Review J. Braz. Chem. Soc., Vol. 00, No. 00, 1-22, 2022
©2022 Sociedade Brasileira de Química

Reaching Circular Economy through Circular Chemistry: The Basis for Sustainable
Development

Lilian L. N. Guarieiro,a,b Michelle J. C. Rezende,c Willams T. Barbosa,a

Gisele O. da Rocha,a,b,d,e Pedro Afonso P. Pereira,a,b,d,e Daniella R. Fernandes,c
Wilson A. Lopesa,b,d Claudio J. A. Mota b,c,f and Jailson B. de Andrade *,a,b,e
a
Centro Universitário SENAI CIMATEC, 41650-010 Salvador-BA, Brazil
b
Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Energia e Ambiente (INCT),
40170-270 Salvador-BA, Brazil
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, CT, Bloco A,
c

21941-909 Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil

d
Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), Ondina Campus,
40170-270 Salvador-BA, Brazil
Centro Interdisciplinar em Energia e Ambiente (CIEnAm), Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA),
e

40170-115 Salvador-BA, Brazil

f
Escola de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, CT, Bloco E,
21941-909 Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil

Circular chemistry (CC) is an approach for establishing chemical processes to become truly
circular and sustainable. It adopts the principles of circular economy (CE), employing life cycle
approaches and systems thinking, which help to understand and address the sustainability issues of
chemical processes and products. Within this whole context, it is possible to identify some problems
of the current lifestyle, such as plastic waste disposal, CO2 emission, e-waste, among others, which
need to be addressed accordingly. The reuse provided, well-structured within the context of circular
chemistry, can bring benefits in all spheres: social, environmental and economic. Thus, the purpose
of this revision is to present CE and CC as the pillars for a sustainable development, bringing
discussions about: CE and CC systems; sustainable chemistry; and chemistry 4.0, which embeds
digitization, sustainability, and circular economy in industrial chemical processes. Through the
knowledge of chemistry, both CC and CE can contribute with innovative methods and processes
which maximize benefits, eliminating, or, at least, reducing adverse impacts, thus contributing to
construct a mutually beneficial relationship between science and society, its surroundings, and
the environment. Therefore, implementing this new model is an opportunity that challenges the
human imagination in building a better world.

Keywords: circular economy, circular chemistry, sustainable development, sustainability

1. Introduction transmitted by viruses, bacteria, protozoa, helminths, and

fungi; climate change has accelerated the desertification of
The challenge humanity has ahead is enormous. previously habitable areas while the rising of the oceans’
Across the planet, billions of people still live in extreme levels threatens to make entire archipelagos disappear;
poverty,1 without access to clean water or food in minimally millions of people are forced to leave their homes and
sufficient quantities; millions die each year from diseases cities by wars and conflicts, in one of the largest waves of
migration that has been reported; unemployment, especially
*e-mail: jailsondeandrade@[Link] among young people, is increasing, especially in countries
Editor handled this article: Teodoro S. Kaufman
This paper is part of the Special Issue Chemistry for Sustainable where production processes have become more automated
Development and less dependent on human labor; the intense exploitation
2 Reaching Circular Economy through Circular Chemistry J. Braz. Chem. Soc.

of the planet’s natural resources and the generation of large and products capable of consuming fewer natural resources
amounts of waste have severely affected the quality of air, and energy, as well as minimize the generation of final
soil, and water bodies.2 waste. Furthermore, all those solutions need to be readily
According to the United Nations Environment Program accessible to the entire population.
(UNEP), cities worldwide will produce around 2.2 billion In Brazil, in recent decades, the country has made
tons of waste every year up to 2025, which will be more considerable advances in science and technology
than three times the amount produced in 2009.3,4 The (S&T), with significant improvements in different areas,
consumption of minerals has increased exponentially, and resulting, in many cases, in more sustainable products
further growth is expected until at least 2050. In order to with higher added value. Just to name a few examples,
meet this increasing demand, more metals will have to be research on Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation
produced, raising questions about sustainability. In addition, (EMBRAPA)9 helped to make the country one of the
the mineral industry causes significant environmental largest agricultural powers on the planet, developing
problems. The production of non-metals represents about plant varieties more resistant to pests and climate change
7% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Among the and with a higher productivity per cultivated area; as a
options for mitigating this problem, carbon capture systems global leader in the use of biofuels in its vehicle fleet,
stand out, but they are not yet ready for commercialization.5 Brazil is today one of the world’s producers of second
Metals such as copper, aluminum, iron, as well as noble generation ethanol (2G ethanol), using sugarcane waste
or rare metals, are used in different industrial segments for its production; and the EMBRAER’s aircraft,10 sold
(e.g., construction, electronics, automotive, catalysts, in several countries around the world, were born from an
energy, among others). Metals are extracted from natural initial development made in the Department of Aerospace
deposits, often difficult to access, causing contamination Science and Technology (DCTA) of the Technological
and damage to soil and biodiversity, when not major Institute of Aeronautics (ITA). Also recently, Brazilian
disasters, such as those that occurred in Mariana/Brazil researchers were the first to establish the correlation
(2015) and Brumadinho/Brazil (2019). Furthermore, there between the Zika virus and a form of microcephaly,
are predictions that the material from recycling by itself with our research groups acting rapidly on the vaccine
will not account for the growing demand in the future.6 development.11
Tens of thousands of industrial chemicals are created, It is worth noting that these advances were only
produced, and marketed worldwide annually, generating achieved with significant public investments in universities
waste that is now present in the most different types of and research centers - with contributions, in some
environmental compartments. For instance, plastics, used instances, also of research carried out in private and
for different applications, contain in their composition public companies - which resulted in a significant increase
(in addition to one or more monomers) different types of in the formation of new professionals in the graduate
additives-such as plasticizers, antioxidants, stabilizers, flame level. Looking ahead, however, it looks necessary to
retardants, among others, posing different degrees of toxicity expand the interaction between research institutions and
to living beings and becoming more challenging to separate.7 the production chain, integrating new knowledge with
Plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems has grown innovation in products and processes, which could result
sharply in recent years and is expected to more than in creating new niches and opportunities and adding value
double by 2030, with consequences for health, the global to the goods produced.
economy, biodiversity, and climate. Studies indicate that Furthermore, it is essential that all the resulting
greenhouse gas emissions in 2015 from plastics were development should be aligned with an economically and
1.7 Gt of CO2 equivalent, and are expected to increase to socially fair and sustainable environment in a modern social
approximately 6.5 Gt CO2 equivalent by 2050, or 15% of market economy. Looking at this panorama, chemistry,
the carbon budget.8 as a central science and driver of innovation, can play an
Although they can be pointed out individually, these important central role in this process.
problems are interconnected, with solutions that depend less These days, the domains of circularity, sustainability, and
on specific actions and much more on unified approaches. resilience are essential for a prosperous society. In terms of
In addition, the resulting effects can differ significantly sustainability, low carbon chemistry is taking on increasing
in intensity, as economic and social inequalities are importance, and therefore, link it to the concept of circular
accentuated among nations. economy will play a vital role for bind the principles of
In this sense, it is urgent to seek integrated solutions to green/sustainable chemistry more comprehensively in the
add new knowledge and develop technologies, processes, resource-dependent chemical industry.
Vol. 00, No. 00, 2022 Guarieiro et al. 3

Bibliographic data were retrieved from the Web of 2. Circular Economy

Science database on February 16th, 2022, using the keyword
“circular chemistry” (CC) and further analyzed with the In recent years, the world industry has been undergoing
VOSviewer software (version 1.6.17)12 aiming identify a profound transformation, shifting from a linear to
trends in circular chemistry. Figure 1 shows the bibliometric a circular model due to economic, social, and mainly
map of co-occurrence and temporal trend of terms from environmental developments.13 The linear economy is
the field of circular chemistry. It is possible to observe based in processes of extracting, producing, and disposing
that the most dominant themes and most discussed by of waste. Resources are extracted from nature, transformed
researchers are Green Chemistry, catalysis, management, into consumer goods, and disposed of at the end of their
polymers, and recycling. Figure 1 also shows that the latest ‘useful life’. In addition, over the lifecycle of a product,
research trends in circular chemistry are associated with losses and waste occur.14
sustainability, circular economy (CE), biomass, circularity, The production of goods is today, mainly based on the
and bioeconomy. Therefore, this result suggests greater linear concept of the economy, in which they are mostly
attention to these topics that are currently being researched produced from new resources extracted from nature and
and published. It is important to note that the terms with through conventional energy sources, while at the end of
the yellow caption are the most recently discussed topics their lifecycle they are discarded into the environment. Or,
related to CC. at best, they may be partially recycled, only in relation to
Thus, discussions which detail the drivers that enable their most valuable components, generating a representative
circularity and the approach/methodological tools that amount of waste.
help the practice of circularity in the chemical industry The linear economy (Figure 2), based on “extraction-
domain are of paramount importance. The authors will production-consumption-disposal,” impacts in two ways:
outline the contributions that chemistry has made to (i) by removing natural resources from the environment
the implementation of a CE model and how this can be (extraction of oil and gas, mining, unsustainable crops),
increased, as well as point out the main challenges that and (ii) by the reduction in the intrinsic value of natural
are posed for the future, on a global scale and in Brazil. resources, caused by the disposal of waste and the
In view of the above, this review article intends to present consequent environmental pollution.15
CE and CC as one of the possible paths for sustainable In considering those problems, there is a consensus today
development, bringing concepts, themes, discussions, and that this linear model must be replaced, on a comprehensive
directions for the circularity of the processes. scale, by a new model, circular in its conception, able not to

Figure 1. VOSviewer12 co-occurring overlay visualization mapping of the keyword “circular chemistry”. The color bar in the bottom right corner denotes
the timeline. Each node in the network represents a keyword, and the size of the circle indicates the occurrence frequency.
4 Reaching Circular Economy through Circular Chemistry J. Braz. Chem. Soc.

Figure 2. Schematic representation of the Linear Economy System.

cause negative impacts on the environment by a low waste The circular economy (Figure 3) prioritizes products,
production throughout processes and during the life cycle processes, and activities that valorize energy, materials,
of the products, minimizing the disposal of pollutants into and labor, focusing on durability, reuse, recycling,
the environment.16 and remanufacturing. Therefore, new discoveries,
This new paradigm can be defined as “a systemic applications, and innovation must be coupled to this
approach to economic development designed to benefit new way of producing, consuming, and using, where
businesses, society, and the environment” which “aims to the exploitation of natural resources, the generation of
gradually decouple growth from the consumption of finite waste in production, the use of non-renewable energies,
resources.”17 A circular economy is “regenerative from and final disposal should be replaced by environmentally
the project and aims to keep products, components, and sustainable models.
materials at their highest degree of utility and value for all In this panorama, chemistry emerges as a fundamental
the time.”17 This conception is based on three principles, science being responsible for the development of new
applicable to all forms of production, namely: (i) eliminate materials, the synthesis of new substances and, together
the generation of waste and pollutants from the beginning with biology, the explanation of the mechanisms that
of the process; (ii) keep products and materials in use; regulate systems as complex as life. Thus, chemistry acts
and (iii) recover systems impacted by nature.17 Added on basic and applied sciences and makes use of the results
to that, the circular economy is also based on the 3Rs: in developing processes and products through its industrial
reduce (a reduction in the use of raw materials and thus in sector.
environmental impact of production); reuse (through the In the linear model of the economy, the impacts derived
extension of the life cycle of goods); and recycle (waste from different steps in the production chain, such as poor
diversion).13 practices of use and disposal, associated or not with

Figure 3. Schematic representation of the Circular Economy System (based in references 18-22).
Vol. 00, No. 00, 2022 Guarieiro et al. 5

properties which belong to certain classes of substances how they can be controlled and manipulated on an atomic
(e.g., persistence in the environment and/or toxicity for and molecular scale.25 On the one hand, if this tends to bring
certain species), have caused some of the great problems considerable changes in the way of thinking and doing
faced by humanity in the 20th and 21st centuries. Undeniably, chemical science, technology and innovation (S,T&I), as
either directly or indirectly, chemistry is associated with well as of educating the new generations, the possibilities of
several of them.23 Thus, pesticides, used to protect cereal openness to new fields of action seem endless. In addition
crops and improve productivity per planted area, were to this question, in 2018, Guarieiro et al.15 presented the six
synthesized to meet the demand for food from a globally chemistry mobilizing axes, highlighting the importance of
increasing population. However, their use negatively affects aligning scientific and technological research, considering
beehives and their pollination cycle, which would also the central role of chemistry in solving problems and
cause a drop in production.16 Another emblematic example overcoming challenges affecting education, full citizenship,
is plastics, widely present in our daily life in most different climate change, food production and quality, access to and
applications, that are releasing their chemicals into rivers quality of water, energy security, preservation of ecosystems
and oceans, threatening their fauna and flora species and, and species, emerging diseases, and quality of life.
ultimately, entering the food chain.16
On the other hand, the development of all branches 2.1. Innovative business models
of chemistry in the last eight decades - in which several
advances have been made - has provided, for instance, The concepts of circular economy and circular chemistry
the discovery of new drugs (such as new antibiotics, have only recently begun to be discussed globally.7,18,26 As
antivirals, and chemotherapy drugs, among others); new an important contribution to a sustainable future, chemistry
polymers to produce lighter and more resistant plastics must be adapted to a circular economy by eliminating
for the most diverse applications; and the development of waste, circulating and recycling products, and saving
new alternative energy sources, renewable and with fewer resources and the environment. The awareness of the finite
impacts on the environment. nature of many resources and the limited environmental
Chemistry, in its various fields of activity and expertise, tolerance towards the chemical industry has grown
can undoubtedly contribute significantly to the migration enormously in the past years, making it somehow evident
of the world economy from its current model to a more that linear production is not supported for much more time.
environmentally sustainable alternative by emerging from It is not environmentally and economically affordable to
this new scenario either supporting other fields of science keep consuming scarce resources with their value-added
or boosting new emerging fields. Indeed, chemistry can products to be decomposed and/or degraded to waste
play a relevant role in promoting the eradication of hunger, without considering reuse, recycling, upcycling, recovering,
making megacities more inclusive and safer, and protecting repurposing, and remanufacturing by maximizing atom
and conserving the oceans, seas, and marine resources.18 circulation.18,27 Currently, governments and stakeholders
In this sense, it is essential to envision some sectors where are in a position to either decide or not in favor of more
these changes may produce more significant and immediate ambitious and urgent worldwide action toward sustainable
impacts. It is worth mentioning food production and development since “business as usual” is not an option
crop protection; the preservation of the quality of water anymore.27-30
resources; the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; the As the circular economy and sustainability gain greater
development of new ways for clean energy production; attention from governments, industry, and academia,
and the development of new biodegradable polymers, sustainability-oriented business model innovation is
among others. becoming fundamental, being an important source of
It is noteworthy that chemistry, once acquiring the role sustainable competitive advantage among companies.31-34
of protagonist within this new model, should become the In all objectives, it is clear the outstanding importance that
science and industry of reuse,24 integrating processes and S,T&I will have for its reach, especially when considering
chemically simplifying products in order to make them the time window established by the United Nations (UN).
easily reversible to more simple and reusable materials, In this sense, companies wishing to follow circular
with lower consumption of energy and natural resources. practices must adopt an innovative perspective that is
It is very likely that in the near future, chemistry will not limited to a change in the supply chain but which
modify its current focus, which comprises the study and considers the existence of multiple cycles of value creation
manipulation of atoms and molecules, to something closer to minimize the need to dispose of products at the end-of-
to what atoms and molecules play in dynamic systems, and life,33 thus ensuring the sustainability of the entire process.34
6 Reaching Circular Economy through Circular Chemistry J. Braz. Chem. Soc.

The innovation of the sustainable business model aims Like the circular economy, there is no single universal
to integrate sustainability aspects into its projects and definition of a bioeconomy. As this is an emerging field,
implement sustainable business models.35 there are different interpretations. However, it is perceptible
Geissdoerfer et al. 36 conducted a comprehensive that the bioeconomy is related to using renewable biological
review of the sustainable business model innovation resources, such as biomass, to produce renewable biofuels,
literature. Moreover, they identified various definitions and bioproducts, and biopower for economic, environmental,
interpretations of the main concepts. The authors defined and social benefits.38 The economy has been an essential
business model innovation as “the conceptualisation tool for achieving the goals of sustainable development.39
and implementation of new business models. This can Sustainable bioeconomy proposes sustainable biomass
comprise the development of entirely new business models, feedstock production, biomass conversion processes, and
the diversification into additional business models, the products in addition to substituting fossil resources for
acquisition of new business models, or the transformation renewable resources. 40 Recently, around 50 countries
from one business model to another”.36 And they came worldwide have adopted national bioeconomy strategies as
up with four innovative types of sustainable business a path to more sustainable forms of production, especially
models; (i) sustainable start-ups; (ii) sustainable business concerning achieving the 17 Sustainable Development
model transformation; (iii) sustainable business model Goals (SDGs) of UN 41 (details about the SDGs are
diversification; and (iv) sustainable business model presented in section 3). The purpose is to control the effects
acquisition, as shown in Table 1. of climate change while providing a renewable source of
carbon (biomass), thus favoring economic development.42
Table 1. Types of sustainable business model innovation and their
definitions (based on Geissdoerfer et al.36) Moreover, a sustainable bioeconomy can be achieved by
integrating with other interdisciplinary areas, such as the
Type Definition circular economy.43
a new organization with a sustainable According to Schoenmakere et al.,42 bioeconomy and
Sustainable start-ups
business model is created circular chemistry converge on five different agendas,
Sustainable business the current business model is changed, (i) economic, (ii) resources, (iii) environmental policy,
model transformation resulting in a sustainable business model
(iv) social transition, and (v) research and innovation, as
without major changes in the existing business
Sustainable business presented in Figure 4.
models of the organization, and additional,
model diversification According to Leong et al.43 and Tan and Lamers,38
sustainable business model is established
an additional, sustainable business model is combining the bioeconomy and the circular economy
Sustainable business
identified, acquired, and integrated into the generates a new concept known as the circular bioeconomy.
model acquisition
organization Circular bioeconomy is based on the cascading use of
biomass from biological resources in accordance with a
Sinkovics et al.35 performed an umbrella review of 57 systemic economic development approach. This concept
systematic literature reviews related to sustainable business focuses on the idea of recycling, reuse, remanufacture,
model innovation, aiming to classify the guidelines of the and maintaining a sustainable manufacturing process, to
sustainable business model. The main types of business generate useful bioproducts and promote a more sustainable
models related to the concept of innovation in sustainable structure.
business models comprise (i) sustainable business model; The circular bioeconomy has gained prominence in
(ii) base (bottom) of the pyramid business model; (iii) terms of innovation with the development of new products
circular business model; (iv) lean and green business model; and processes.44,45 The pillars for the development of
(v) product-service system; (vi) sharing economy business the bioeconomy are technological innovation, regional
model; (vii) sharing economy business model; and (viii) development, and competence formation, as well as
integrative business model. industrial collaboration.19
Sustainable business model innovation is a complex and
multifaceted phenomenon, making it necessary to explore 3. Sustainable Chemistry
several aspects. Therefore, sustainable business models
may have different guidelines depending on the goals and Sustainable chemistry is a recent development in the
motivations driving the innovation process.37 Lastly, Mohan applied sciences. While the concept of Green Chemistry
et al.37 highlight the need for and importance of innovation was formulated through the widely known 12 principles46
in sustainable business models for the future success of the and has been applied since then in the concept of linear
bioeconomy. economy, sustainable chemistry has recently evolved as
Vol. 00, No. 00, 2022 Guarieiro et al. 7

Figure 4. Main agendas converging bioeconomy and circular chemistry (adapted from Schoenmakere et al.42).

a closely related but more holistic concept.3,27 Although is in close agreement with circular chemistry (as critically
Green Chemistry has been a guideline for good practices discussed in section 4), in the way they are complementary
in chemical companies and research laboratories around to each other.
the world for the last 25 years, some parts of it may not be In order to meet sustainability,53-55 chemistry needs
sustainable at all.47 While Green Chemistry is quite suitable to be developed (and innovated) in a way that the whole
for the optimization of linear production routes, the concept lifecycle of chemical products is fully considered, and no
of sustainable chemistry has been discussed as being applied materials should be wasted or lost in the production chain.56
to circular chemistry processes.18,47 However, re-evaluating Moreover, sustainable chemistry (Figure 5) includes system
and re-adjusting chemistry towards a circular economy innovations, which, in turn, will fundamentally contribute
requires a consistent definition of a sustainable chemical to changes in the social (values, regulations, attitudes,
process and needs to take into account people, planet, and among others) and technical (infrastructure, technology,
profit level (the “triple bottom line”). Clearly, in order to tools, production processes, among others) dimensions and
innovate in chemistry towards sustainability to become the interactions between them.56 Indeed, by contributing to
feasible, it needs to have economically viable applications.18 and adopting sustainable chemistry practices, the chemical
The understanding of sustainable chemistry has been industry faces a unique opportunity to evolve and innovate.
subjected to different interpretations over the years. This will probably result in good economic advantages for
According to the OECD (Organization for Economic the industry in the medium to long term.
Co‑operation and Development), sustainable chemistry is Blum et al. 56 have proposed seven principles of
“a scientific concept that seeks to improve the efficiency sustainable chemistry (Figure 5). These principles are (i)
with which natural resources are used to meet human needs design of benign chemicals, (ii) development and use of
for chemical products and services. Sustainable chemistry alternative solutions for problematic applications, (iii)
encompasses the design, manufacture, and use of efficient, reduction of impacts, (iv) conservation of natural resources,
effective, safe, and more environmentally benign chemical (v) promotion of reuse and recycling, (vi) increase of market
products and processes.”48 Some other definitions do not and opportunities, and (vii) application of corporate social
differentiate Green Chemistry from sustainable chemistry, responsibility. Indeed, sustainable chemistry is completely
such as those by the US Environmental Protection Agency, inserted into the definitions of circular chemistry and
the American Chemical Society, the Royal Society of circular economy.
Chemistry, and International Union of Pure and Applied Historically, the chemical and related industries
Chemistry (IUPAC).49-51 In turn, the Brazilian Chemical have developed and supplied different S,T&I solutions
Society has initiated the discussion of sustainable for addressing many global challenges. 57,58 Although
chemistry through the “Movimento Química Pós 2022 - the chemical industry has also helped to develop
Sustentabilidade e Soberania” (which in direct translation products and processes favoring environmental protection
to English, it means “Action of Chemistry post 2022 - through pollution prevention and greenhouse abatement
Sustainability and Sovereignty”) towards the establishment technologies, among others, those are still not enough to
of sustainable chemistry.52 Indeed, sustainable chemistry meet the goals of the 17 SDGs from the UN, the Agenda
8 Reaching Circular Economy through Circular Chemistry J. Braz. Chem. Soc.

Figure 5. Objectives and guiding Principles of Sustainable Chemistry (based on data from Blum et al.56).

2030, and net-zero emissions up to 2050.59-70 Therefore, the evaluate and develop good practices in manipulating them?
sustainability of the planet and the guarantee of delivering How to promote the cycle of life studies with them? Those
a habitable planet for the next generations have not yet points are very challenging to be solved accordingly, since
been achieved. Nevertheless, the chemical industry and the new chemicals are becoming more complex regarding
field of chemistry have a unique role to play in achieving their chemical structures (for instance, stereochemistry,
these goals.56 (poly)functional groups, among others).7 Indeed, this
Indeed, the chemical industries and related technologies kind of problem is yet to be solved. For that, the chemical
are essential for human well-being and modern societies, companies and academia still need to develop solutions
with more than 95% of all manufactured goods and soon, with mutual benefits if they work synergistically.
articles relying on chemistry.8 Within this context, while Even though one of those chemicals is produced in
chemicals provide many desired benefits, they may be one country or region, it may enter or be distributed to
intentionally or unintentionally released during their another country by trade (e.g., as imported goods) and/or
lifecycle, possibly causing adverse effects on human health through environmental transport (via the atmosphere, rivers,
and the environment.8,26,30 oceans, and soils). In this way, the circular economy and
Nowadays, considering the study by Wang et al.,8 over sustainable chemistry must be worked on globally; acting
350,000 chemicals and mixtures of chemicals have been locally or regionally is important, but not sufficient. In order
registered for production and use, up to three times as many to manage chemicals within a country, it is necessary to
as previously estimated,7 with substantial differences across address not only chemicals manufactured in, imported into,
countries and regions over the globe. Another finding from and/or used in the country but also those manufactured,
Wang et al.,8 is that the identities of many chemicals remain used, disposed of, and released in other countries. The
publicly unknown because they are claimed as confidential demand for chemistry to fit into this scenario is tremendous
(over 50,000) or ambiguously described (up to 70,000). and very complex.8,27 In this way, a chemical produced in
This situation puts humanity in some difficult dilemmas: one place eventually pollutes transboundary regions, which
How to develop lifecycle practices and recycling/reusing could eventually lead to geopolitical misunderstandings
of those chemicals whose identities remain unknown? among different countries or governments. Nonetheless,
How could they be correctly and safely managed under international cooperation is strongly suggested in
these conditions? Of those, how many are hazardous and/ addressing the challenges humanity faces in achieving a
or risky to human health and the environment? How to sustainable future.
Vol. 00, No. 00, 2022 Guarieiro et al. 9

On the other hand, the Earth is running out of lost and 53.5 million disability-adjusted life years. Of those,
resources needed for manufacturing commodities such workers, women, and children are the most susceptible
as chemicals, minerals, and petroleum. In addition, these subjects.89,90
components are available only at ever-increasing economic In the pursuit of sustainability, politicians, the
and environmental costs. One of humankind’s greatest chemical industry, private and public sectors, and citizens
challenges over the 21st century is how to provide adequate are challenged to collaborate for the paradigm shift
resources for humanity. Most geological materials extracted civilization needs. Sustainable and circular chemistry are
so far have been converted into products and finally to waste the main tools to enable it. Another significant point to
(e.g., in the linear economy mostly employed until now). be addressed is from an educational point of view. Both
One such emblematic example is the current semiconductor common citizens and chemical professionals (chemists and
shortage, which is required for microchip production,71 chemical engineers) need to be taught about sustainability
has disrupted the global supply chain and pushed down and sustainable/circular chemistry at the earliest in their
the production of electronics, including smartphones and curricula.91 Interdisciplinarity among chemistry and other
automobiles, among other goods.72 Recycling, upcycling, areas of knowledge will be highly relevant within this
and reusing, which are key to sustainable chemistry and context. Education also needs to be equally inclusive
the circular economy, may be able to help alleviate this and integrative among developed, developing, and
problem. In this sense, there is a recent concept known underdeveloped countries. Additionally, special attention
as “urban mining,” which dates from the first part of the needs to be paid toward reducing inequalities with respect
2010s. It entails recovering trace elements (such as heavy to gender, age, race, and sexual orientation, among other
metals, noble metals, and rare-earth metals) from electrical, discriminants.27,47,92 All those points are closely related
electronic, and civil construction waste discarded in urban to the concepts from the 17 SDGs from the UN and the
areas.26,72-76 Urban mining provides an efficient supply Agenda 2030.
of important mineral resources with low environmental The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
implications and potentially substantial economic benefits highlights the reasoning that development must be
for the chemical industry, which is likely to help with the compatible with the three dimensions of sustainability:
present semiconductor shortage as well as future worldwide economic, social, and environmental (Figure 6).93 All the 17
shortages of relevant chemicals. And, depending on which SDGs are integrated with each other and are indivisible. In
aspect of a particular problem is considered, urban mining a way, they should be implemented as a whole to guarantee
of e-waste is becoming more cost-effective than virgin the true sustainable development of society. 27 And,
mining. According to a study from Zeng et al.,26,73 this is according to the very basic principle of the UN 17 SDGs,
already true for the elements copper and gold, which can the term “society” means “everyone,” so truly sustainable
be mined from e-waste and may be reutilized in a variety development can only be achieved by considering humanity
of applications in modern life. as a whole, people from all regions of the world, whether
Synthetic chemicals are considered to be ubiquitous in developed, developing or underdeveloped, either rich or
the human body and all environmental compartments. Since poor.
these chemicals are man-made, there hardly are natural Chemical and waste management27 is essential to the
routes for them to be efficiently degraded or decomposed. 17 SDGs transversally, offering direction for sustainable
Consequently, synthetic chemicals are often persistent and chemistry and acting as a universal concept. Targets 12.4
bio accumulative in the environment, eventually making “(by 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management
their way into the food chain. Ultimately, these chemicals, of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle
by participating in the food chain, may affect human in accordance to international frameworks, significantly
health.77,78 Chemical pollution has become a major cause reducing their release to air, water and soil in order to
of disease and premature death, not only from occupational minimize adverse impacts on human health and the
exposure in workplaces but also from food contamination environment)” and 3.9 “(by 2030, substantially reduce the
or in any indoor or outdoor environment in which the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals
general public lives.3,79-84 Consequently, depending on the and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination)”27
level and route of an individual’s exposure together with of the SDGs are directly relevant to a variety of chemical
her/his susceptibility to a given chemical, life expectancy and waste management challenges. It is also important
may be compromised.85-88 For instance, the World Health that SDG 9, which promotes the development of resilient
Organization estimated the burden of disease derived from infrastructure, inclusive and sustainable industry, and
the impacts of selected chemicals in 2019 at 2 million lives innovation to provide jobs and income, is also important.
10 Reaching Circular Economy through Circular Chemistry J. Braz. Chem. Soc.

Other SDGs, such as SDG Target 6.3 on increasing water Even though Green Chemistry has made major
quality, necessitate safer chemicals. Finally, some SDGs contributions to the improvement of chemical processes in
and targets, such as the ones regarding access to food, industry and academia in the last 25 years, it is still reliant
clean energy, and secure housing, are directly relevant to on the linear economy model and mostly dependent on
chemical-intensive industries. All SDGs and targets have the single use of nonrenewable resources, which are finite.
one thing in common: they cannot be met without good Furthermore, even by incorporating Green Chemistry
chemical and waste management and long-term chemical principles into many chemical products and processes, they
innovation. As a result, the SDGs serve as a useful guide are not at all sustainable.
and pave the way for the advancement of a sustainable The Haber-Bosch process, for example, is still used
chemical agenda as well as circular chemistry.94,95 in industrial ammonia production. The disadvantages of
this method include significant greenhouse gas (GHG)
4. Circular Chemistry emissions (more than 2.16 kg CO2-eq kg-1 NH3) and high
energy consumption (greater than 30 GJ ton-1 NH3), which
Some aspects of Green Chemistry, such as atom are mostly due to the tight operating conditions at high
economy and the environmental factor (e-factor) in temperature and pressure.96 According to Ghavam et al.,96
chemical synthesis processes, are related to circular more sustainable alternatives for ammonia production are
chemistry. 34-37 Given that Green Chemistry has been done through water electrolysis. But it would be necessary
practiced since the 1990s, simplified estimates suggest to use renewable energy resources (wind, solar, and
that industry-wide adoption of some of its innovative green hydrogen, among other renewables) for performing
principles could reduce global energy intensity (energy electrolysis to be more sustainable. However, it would still
used per product per product unit) for the 18 most energy- be dependent on the availability of (fresh)water, which
intensive chemicals by up to 20-40% by 2050 compared to brings issues related to the water-energy nexus. This high
2010. By 2050, it will mean a reduction in energy of up to demand for water in a world facing water scarcity would
13 exajoules (EJ) per year and a reduction in greenhouse also be prohibitive for several countries around the globe.
gas emissions of up to 1000 Mt CO2 equivalent per year.30 Furthermore, due to its high volatility, a significant amount
However, those are not good enough. They do not solve of ammonia may be lost by fugitive evaporation, ultimately
the critical economic, social, and environmental issues we contributing to altering atmospheric reactivity. Another
are facing today. interesting point regarding the sustainable production of

Figure 6. The three dimensions of sustainability: economy, society, and biosphere (figure from Stockholm Resilience Centre27,93 with CC-BY attribution).
Vol. 00, No. 00, 2022 Guarieiro et al. 11

ammonia97 is that it is closely interrelated to green hydrogen and innovations with compatibility for circularity and
production since both are obtained from water electrolysis sustainability. Although some good practices from Green
(and hydrogen can also be obtained from ammonia, in Chemistry have some overlap with circular chemistry,
the way NH3 functions as a green hydrogen reservoir). their conceptions are different. Since its beginning, Green
Indeed, some of the authors of the present study are also Chemistry has provided a framework for teaching and
the authors of another study regarding green hydrogen98 performing more sustainable chemistry in industries and
as a low-carbon energy source. We kindly suggest that the academia. This prompted us to consider the development
readers interested in the topic refer to that study. of greener and more sustainable practices, despite
In other words, with the discussion of the possibilities the fact that we lacked the concept of considering the
regarding ammonia production, it becomes evident that entire production chain within circular processes. This
Green Chemistry, even though it was useful in recent years, reasoning for considering the circularity of chemicals in
is outdated and does not fit well18,99 with the needs of a industry and academia came later, with the introduction
worldwide circular economy model. On the other hand, of circular chemistry. Indeed, circular chemistry provides
the models of circular chemistry and circular economy are an interconnected and holistic view of how the field of
conceptually inspired by the biogeochemical cycles that chemistry and other chemical sciences can collaborate for
regulate the nature and distribution of chemical elements the development of a truly circular economy by the end of
in various environmental compartments.95,100-102 The ideal the first half of the 21st century.18,104,105
vision of circular chemistry is for chemists and chemical In this way, if, on one hand, within the Green Chemistry
engineering professionals to promote circularity through scope it is considered the 3Rs rule, on the other hand,
interconnected closed-loop processes. In this way, a given circular chemistry has expanded it to the 11Rs rule, stated
“waste” or an “end-product” could be reutilized in the as reject, reduce, reuse, redistribute, repair, refurbish,
same process or become a resource or feedstock of any repurpose, remanufacture, recycle, recover, and return.
other interconnected circular processes, as happens within Accordingly, similarly to the 12 principles of Green
the natural biological-geological-chemical cycles. To that Chemistry, Keijer et al.18 have proposed the 12 principles
end, the field of chemistry103 and related professionals of the circular chemistry (Figure 7). This approach is done
are about to seize a unique opportunity to disruptively to facilitate the transition to a circular economy. In this way,
rethink and reinvent chemistry through new technologies it works as a framework similar to the principles of Green

Figure 7. The 12 Principles of circular chemistry (adapted from Keijer et al.).18

12 Reaching Circular Economy through Circular Chemistry J. Braz. Chem. Soc.

Chemistry. Nonetheless, circular chemistry is an approach (waste-to-chemical)106,107 and secure a sustainable future
to establishing chemical processes to become truly circular by addressing the 17 UN SDGs and Net Zero 2050. One
and sustainable.18,104,105 interesting example of a waste-to-chemical process is
According to Figure 7, the 12 principles of circular presented by Antonetti et al.107 regarding urea production
chemistry18,99 can be understood as follows: (waste-to-urea) from the organic fraction of municipal solid
(i) Collect and use waste. Reusing waste as a resource is waste (MSW). MSW represents an abundant, variable,
a necessary prerequisite for enabling circularity. Waste inexpensive biobased feedstock for producing valuable
is a valuable resource which should be transformed into chemicals, which is likely to improve its economics over its
marketable products in order to promote the (re)circulation current use. This process is also related to waste-to-energy
of elements, molecules, and materials. technologies, since from MSW it is also possible to produce
(ii) Maximize atom circulation. Truly circular chemical syngas and methane.106
process platforms should maximize every atom in According to Antonetti et al.,107 there are several
existing molecules. This requires optimal product design companies already exploring the opportunities from waste-
to favor efficient separation and purification steps while to-chemical conversion. An example is the gasification
enhancing atoms’ reusing possibilities, considering an of waste to synthetic gas, which is also used to produce
environmentally friendly route. ammonia and urea.
(iii) Optimize resource efficiency. Resource conservation The use of biorenewable resources such as MSW,107 an
should be targeted, promoting reuse, and preserving finite untapped source of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur-
feedstocks. to name a few elements-could address rising demand for
(iv) Strive for energy persistence. Energy efficiency should important chemical commodities while also mitigating
be maximized. climate change (because many chemicals would be produced
(v) Enhance process efficiency. Innovations should by a non-fossil fuel route) and improve energy security.
continuously improve in- and post-process reuse and Depending on regions and lifestyles, the carbon content of
recycling, preferable on-site. solid MSW fractions ranges from 38 to 51% (average of
(vi) No out-of-plant toxicity. Chemical processes should 47 wt.% on a dry basis).107 The overall organic fraction of
not release any toxic compounds into the environment. MSW ranges from 30 to 50% by weight. In 2016, MSW
(vii) Target optimal design. Design should be based on output in the Organization for Economic Cooperation
the highest end-of-life options, accounting for separation, and Development (OECD) countries totaled 673 and 278
purification, and degradation. Mt (total and Europe, respectively).106 The MSW amount
(viii) Assess sustainability. Environmental assessment is predicted to double in the coming years as a result of
(typified by the LCA, life cycle assessment) should become rising GDP and population, with the global generation
prevalent to identify inefficiencies in chemical processes. rate expected to reach 2.2 billion tons per year by 2025.
(ix) Apply ladder of circularity. The end-of-life options for However, the competition of natural gas production from
a product should strive for the highest possibilities on the MSW with the cheaper fossil-related natural gas and oil
ladder of circularity. production, considering the subsidies this type of technology
(x) Sell service rather than product. Producers should possesses, has become unfeasible.106,107 As an alternative
employ service-based business models such as chemical to this scenario, the government should seriously consider
leasing, promoting efficiency over production rate. discontinuing subsidies to the fossil energy sector and
(xi) Reject lock-in. The business and regulatory environment directing chemical developers toward cheaper biobased
should be flexible to allow the implementation of feedstocks whenever possible. By following non-fossil
innovations. energy production, it fosters a relevant path through circular
(xii) Unify industry and provide coherent policy framework. chemistry decarbonization processes and meets Net Zero
The industry and policy should be unified to create an by 2050.102
optimal environment to enable circularity in chemical In addition to sustainable chemistry, circular chemistry
processes. is intrinsically related to the concepts of chemistry 4.0
The 12 Principles of circular chemistry provide a new and industry 4.0. The following section (section 4.1) will
set of guidelines for the chemical industry and academia provide more details on the concept of chemistry 4.0.
to develop a closed-loop, waste-free chemical industry Indeed, new industry 4.0 technologies such as internet of
and promote chemical safety. This change of paradigm things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning,
offers the opportunity to develop novel chemical products cyber-physical systems (CPSs), augmented reality and
and industrial processes that use waste as a resource virtual reality (AR/VR) for simulating new processes and
Vol. 00, No. 00, 2022 Guarieiro et al. 13

chemical quantum processes, among others, are likely to purpose of sustainable recycling and the circular economy.
help the chemical industry achieve leveraged manufacture The plan is to use waste as a renewable source or raw
and improvements of existing processes approaching material for new production cycles.111 Figure 8 summarizes
circularity, as well as by designing new products.37,108,109 the evolution of chemistry and the highlights for each cycle.
Falter et al.112 highlighted that the transition from
4.1. Chemistry 4.0 incorporates digitization, sustainability, Chemistry 3.0 to Chemistry 4.0 was marked by radical
and circular economy in industrial chemical processes changes due to automation, specialization, globalization,
and the use of renewable materials, biotechnology-aided
The chemical industry is continuously progressing production, medicaments, new customized products,
scientifically and technologically with sustainable integrated environmental protection, safety, and health.
business model innovations. The term Chemistry 4.0 Figure 9 depicts in greater detail the major changes that
is related to the concept of Industry 4.0. In the 19 th occurred during the transition from Chemistry 3.0 to
century, the chemical industry began its first period, Chemistry 4.0.
called Chemistry 1.0, based on coal chemistry and The advancement of Chemistry 4.0 will provide
petrochemicals using oil as a raw material. Chemistry 2.0 innovative solutions to old problems and provide business
was marked by scale production and the emergence of new opportunities for sustainable growth.20,113,114 The internet of
classes of materials such as polymers. Globalization and things (IoT)113 is an example of analytical devices that can
the production of fine chemicals opened the doors to a be described as statements that enable us to conclude that
new area of industrial chemistry in the early 1980s. That they contribute to a new generation of sustainable analytical
is Chemistry 3.0.110 methods. Furthermore, studies indicate that by 2040, the
With recent technological advances, there has been an global production volume of the chemical industry will
improvement in hardware and software tools, optimizing almost double.20
chemical processes in industries known as Chemistry 4.0. Process intensification (PI) strategies are among the
This digital revolution in the chemical industry has the necessary actions for transformation in a 4.0 industry.37

Figure 8. Transition from Chemistry 1.0 to Chemistry 4.0 and its highlights.

Figure 9. Development from Chemistry 3.0 to Chemistry 4.0 (adapted from Falter et al.).112
14 Reaching Circular Economy through Circular Chemistry J. Braz. Chem. Soc.

The PI strategy contributes to process sustainability by different chemicals and fuels. Technologies for direct air
designing or implementing a novel process or equipment capture (DAC)118 of CO2 and its subsequent conversion
to overcome process limitations in terms of resource/ to fuels, using hydrogen from renewable feedstock and
energy and/or waste reduction and/or operational/capital energy sources, are gaining attention all over the world.98,119
cost.37 Thus, PI is a potential strategy that supports the The forecast indicates that around 30 Mt of CO2 could be
circularity of a chemical-based process (new or existing) captured from the air and transformed into useful products
by reducing the resource utility, cost, and environmental at pilot and demonstration plants by the end of this decade.
burdens.115 This is illustrated by initiatives like CORAL (CO2 Raw
In this context, chemistry 4.0 can benefit from Material from Air),120 which produces dimethyl ether
systematic adoption of digitalization and digital tools to from hydrogenation of CO2 captured from the air, and
optimize the management of entire chemical life cycles, the ProQR,121 which is a Brazilian-German partnership to
from chemical supply chains and chemical manufacturing produce synthetic aviation fuel.
to use and end-of-life. Chemical processes can benefit The Figure 10 below shows some possible applications
from computer-aided methods and tools to develop new for the captured CO2. An example of direct use is in
processes and services that can meet the needs of society. the carbonation of beverages. Fabrication of urea and
High-performance computers can play a key role in aspirin (acetyl salicylic acid) are examples of long-term
advancing toward chemistry 4.0. Thus, new modes of utilization of CO2 as a feedstock in industrial processes.
computation, such as quantum computing, are receiving More recent examples of the utilization of CO2 as a raw
more and more attention. Although quantum computing material in the chemical industry are the production of
has been in development for some time, the development methanol, dimethyl ether (DME), and organic carbonates.
of the technology to the point of making commercial use While methanol has many uses in the fuel and chemical
of such features is quite recent and still quite limited. sector, 122 DME is a substitute for diesel in ignition
There is a rapid development of quantum computing compression engines,123 whereas organic carbonates are
capabilities. In Brazil, for example, there are already used to produce polymers and as electrolytes for lithium
quantum simulators for different applications. This opens batteries.124
up potential application areas for academia and industry. Today, most of the urea produced in the world comes
So, the advance from classical computing to quantum from natural gas, which provides H2 and CO2 as raw
computing brings with it the solution of relevant problems materials. The so-called blue urea125 may be fabricated
that were previously unsolvable.116 with H2 produced from water electrolysis using renewable
energy, as well as with CO2 captured from the burning of
5. Sustainable Chemistry and Circular Econo- fossil fuels, providing a good example of how sustainable
my Concepts Applied in the Industrial Sector: technologies could be applied to existing products.
The CCU Example Methanol is another chemical that is usually produced
from natural gas reforming. Nevertheless, the route using
Carbon dioxide capture and utilization (CCU) is an CO2 is gaining increased attention. An industrial plant in
excellent example of sustainable chemistry and the circular Iceland, from Carbon Recycling International, produces
economy.117 Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the ultimate product methanol from hydrogen produced by geothermal-driven
of the combustion of organic matter. It is also produced in electrolysis and CO2 captured from industrial emissions.126
fermentation processes and in the decomposition of some Dimethyl ether (DME) can be produced either from
mineral ores. CO2 is presently associated with climate methanol or directly from CO2. Today, most of the DME
change because it contributes to global warming through produced in the world comes from methanol dehydration,
the greenhouse effect. which in turn is produced from syngas. However, with the
The CCU process encompasses the capture of the gas rapid development of the process of methanol synthesis
from a stationary source or even from the atmosphere, from CO2, renewable DME is emerging as a potential fuel
purification, and utilization, either directly, such as in the to replace diesel.
carbonation of beverages, or as feedstock in industrial Organic carbonates are important products with
processes.111 CO2 capture may involve four different uses as electrolytes in lithium batteries, production of
approaches: (i) absorption; (ii) adsorption; (iii) cryogenic; polycarbonates, special solvents, and sustainable alkylating
(iv) membranes. agents, among others.127 An industrial example of the
Once considered a waste and useless product, CO2 is use of CO2 as raw material in the production of ethylene
turning into a valuable raw material for the production of carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is showed
Vol. 00, No. 00, 2022 Guarieiro et al. 15

Figure 10. Some current utilization of CO2.

in the Scheme 1.128 The company uses DMC to make 6. Challenges and Perspectives
polycarbonates, and this technology has replaced the
highly toxic phosgene, the main feedstock used so far. As a result of demographic expansion and the growing
Around 1.7 t of CO2 is fixed and avoided being emitted into demand for goods and services, planet Earth is running
the atmosphere for each 10 t of polycarbonate produced, out of resources to produce chemicals and materials. Raw
which is a clear and commercial example of a sustainable materials are only available at high economic costs and
process. with increasing environmental damage. As an essential
contribution to a sustainable future, chemistry must be
rethought to operate in the circular economy model.7
Although the circular economy paradigm emerged in
the 1980s, it was only in the last 20 years that it has gained
traction as a more rational and logical way to prevent
environmental degradation and, thus, ensure a sustainable
world for future generations. However, paradoxically, this
model that proposes a more sustainable way of taking
Scheme 1. Schematic reactions of the process of ethylene carbonate and advantage of natural resources, manufacturing products,
dimethyl carbonate production with CO2 as feedstock. and consumption is finding barriers to its adoption, proving
to be difficult, especially to achieve a more comprehensive
Nevertheless, although CCU could be a promising implementation.
approach for CO2 reuse and for mitigating its impact Thus, it is not an easy task to eliminate the traditional
on the Earth’s climate, one of the main challenges linear economic model based on “extract or acquire, use, and
to implementing projects of direct CO 2 capture and discard” and which, in practice, constitutes a “comfort zone”
conversion is the production of hydrogen, which must be for many people and consumers. However, in the long term,
produced from renewable feedstock and energy sources. In this linear model can be devastating for the environment and,
this context, water electrolysis or photocatalytic splitting consequently, for life and for human beings.
appears to be the most promising when sustainability is Several reasons contribute to the difficulty of implementing
concerned.129 the circular economy model and circular chemistry, and many
16 Reaching Circular Economy through Circular Chemistry J. Braz. Chem. Soc.

challenges must be faced in the transition from the current 6.5. Designing products for recycling
model to a new one based on sustainable progress and the
preservation of life and planet Earth. Final products should have a composition as simple
The main challenges and perspectives for implementing as possible, minimizing additives and avoiding toxic
the circular economy model and, especially, circular components that are not easily separated, thus allowing
chemistry, are exemplified below: for recovery, recycling, and reuse.

6.1. Culture 6.6. Chemistry 4.0

Consumers are used to the “use and discard” model Use of renewable materials; biotechnology-aided
implemented in recent decades, a system that is encouraged production to obtain medicines; new customized products;
by industry and profit. It is, therefore, necessary to change integrated environmental protection; safety; and health.
the way products are disposed of and used, valuing the A good example of the transformation that the chemical
habits of reducing, reusing, and recycling. This depends industry undergoes is the production of polyethylene (PE),
on integrated and complementary actions by society, the one of the most important inputs in the plastics chain,
private sector, and governments through education at all with a world production volume of approximately 116
levels, campaigns, and incentives. million tons in 2015, considering the sum of polyethylene
of high (HDPE) and low density (LDPE). In Brazil, there
6.2. Technology and connectivity is a company in the chemical and petrochemical sector
that is the largest producer of thermoplastic resins in
Using advanced technological resources such as the Americas and a world leader in the production of
artificial intelligence and communication networks is biopolymers and, since 2010, has had an industrial plant
essential to keep up with the advancement of circular where green polyethylene, the result of the combination
economies and circular chemistry. For this, high investments of innovation, technology, and sustainability, is produced.
are needed, especially in obtaining relevant data both in the Green PE has a low carbon footprint, is produced from a
production and consumption phases (life cycle of each 100% renewable source, from sugarcane, and has the same
product). In addition to the technological resources to carry properties, performance, and versatility of applications as
out the work, it is necessary to qualify people to carry out fossil-based polyethylene, and is also recyclable, using the
specialized technical skills. same recycling chain of conventional polyethylene.130,131
Thus, circular chemistry aims to appropriate and use
6.3. Policy and regulation the fundamental scientific knowledge of chemistry in a
balanced panorama of the relationship between science and
Many countries already have laws and technical human beings, their surroundings, and their environment.
standards that apply essentially to recycling and waste The aim is to develop and innovate chemical methods and
management. However, what is related to ecological processes that maximize benefits while eliminating or, at
development, environmental preservation, product reuse, least, reducing adverse impacts. Therefore, implementing
and consumption reduction, has less stringent policies and this new model is an opportunity that challenges human
does not go beyond informational campaigns and good imagination and ingenuity in building a better world.
intentions. It is, therefore, necessary to harmonize the The transition from the linear economy to the circular
different laws, rules, and regulations existing on the subject, economy can bring about significant and value-creating
to constitute a legal framework for the circular economy, changes in many sectors, especially in the chemical
and to increase its rigor in its application. industry. The degree and speed of this transformation will
depend on the pace of technological development and
6.4. Complexity simplification innovation; the rational use of natural resources; waste
reuse and recycling processes; the implementation of public
Most of today’s chemical products are synthetic, based policies and regulatory incentives; new business models;
on non-renewable resources, and are transformed into the availability of investments; and consumers’ willingness
complex articles such as plastics. Future products and to change behavior. The gains can be represented by
materials must be designed based on sustainability, and sustainable progress, environmental preservation, and
it is necessary to restrict the levels of complexity of their improvements in people’s quality of life.132
constituents to allow recycling.
Vol. 00, No. 00, 2022 Guarieiro et al. 17

7. Conclusions Lílian Lefol Nani Guarieiro

received a degree in chemistry from
More than ever, it is of a paramount importance to Centro Universitário de Lavras (2003),
replace the classical model of the linear economy. World a master’s degree in organic chemistry
leaders, such as politicians, economists and scientists, have and a specialization in petroleum
advocated a circular model based on making use, reuse, chemistry from Federal University of Rio
and recycling, to keep products at their greatest usefulness de Janeiro (2006), and a PhD in analytical chemistry from
and value throughout their useful life. The “circularity Federal University of Bahia (2010); was in the sandwich
of materials” is emerging as a major focus, as the CE is doctorate program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute in
becoming an essential component in the global economic Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; and was a post-doc at the
system to tackle resource depletion and climate change National Institute of Science and Technology for Energy and
issues. In this context, the circular chemistry may adopt Environment (2011). She is currently the coordinator of the
the principles of the circular economy, aiming understand professional master’s program in sustainable development
and address the sustainability issues in chemical processes at SENAI CIMATEC. She has experience in environmental
and products, in such a way that the chemical industry can chemistry, analytical chemistry, and organic chemistry, with
take a competitive advantage provided by the CE, adding an emphasis on oil, gas, and biofuels.
value and sustainability in its processes. Although not
interdependent, CC and CE are directly related, since the Michelle J. C. Rezende is an
CE is strongly based on renewable materials and waste that, associate professor at Federal University
once generated, can also be efficiently recycled or converted of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil. She
into new sustainable products. Finally, the digitization is graduated in Chemistry (2002) and
can be a key piece for the sustainable development, in the doctorate in Chemistry (2006) from the
chemical industry and in the progress of research in basic same university. She is a permanent
and applied chemistry, providing the essential support to professor in the Chemistry Graduate Program (PGQu)
interconnect new knowledge and technologies with the and in the Chemistry Professional Master’s Program
society’s well-being and wealth. in the National Network (PROFQUI), both at Institute
of Chemistry, UFRJ. Her area of expertise is organic
Acknowledgments chemistry and her present research has focused mainly on
the development of additives for biodiesel and for use in
The authors would like to thank the Conselho oil production, using biomass-derived platform chemicals
Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico such as furfural and levulinic acid.
(CNPq), Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industrial,
Departamento Regional da Bahia (SENAI/CIMATEC) Willams Teles Barbosa received
the National Institute of Science and Technology (INCT) a degree in Industrial Chemistry from
for Energy & Environment (INCT E&A, project CNPq Universidade Estadual da Paraíba -
No. 465497/2014-4), and the Interdisciplinary Center for UEPB (2012), a master and doctor
Energy and Environment (CIEnAm) from Universidade degree in Science and Engineering of
Federal da Bahia. Authors are also thankful for the Project Materials from Universidade Federal de
MEPHYSTO (Biocomplexidade e Interações Físico- Campina Grande - UFCG (2015/2019). Developed research
Químico-Biológicas em Múltiplas Escalas no Atlântico in the Materials area at TECNALIA (San Sebastian, Spain)
Sudoeste) (CNPq No. 442695/2018-7) and Project - 2013/2014. And a sandwich doctorate at Instituto de
‘Pesquisando Kirimurê: Convergindo Educação, Ciência, Cerámica y Vidrio - ICV (Madrid, Spain) 2016/2017. He
Tecnologia e Inovação’ (CNPq No. 442187/2018-1). The is currently a researcher at SENAI CIMATEC.
authors would also like to thank PRH27.1 ANP/FINEP. In
addition, funding from Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa do Gisele O. da Rocha has a Chemistry
Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ, E-26/010.002270/2019) degree from Universidade Estadual
and from Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa do Estado da de Maringá (UEM, 1998), a PhD
Bahia (FAPESB, JCB0033/2016) are also acknowledged. in Chemistry from Universidade
J.B.A., C.J.A.M., and G.O.R. are thankful for their research Estadual Paulista (UNESP, 2003), with
fellowship from CNPq. a supervised internship at the Division
of Environmental Health and Risk Management, School of
18 Reaching Circular Economy through Circular Chemistry J. Braz. Chem. Soc.

Geography, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, It is a member of the INCT of Energy and Environment
United Kingdom (2002). She did a 3-years post-doc at the (UFBA - CNPq) and a member of the Academy of Sciences
Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA, 2006). Also, she of Bahia since 2017.
took a 1-year sabbatical at the Department of Atmospheric
and Oceanic Sciences at the University of California, Claudio J. A. Mota is graduated in
Los Angeles (UCLA, 2016), Los Angeles, USA. She is an Chemical Engineering at the Federal
Associate Professor at Institute of Chemistry from UFBA University of Rio de Janeiro, where he
since 2006. also obtained his doctoral degree in
Chemistry and is presently full professor
Pedro A. de Paula Pereira holds a as well as director of the Institute
degree in Chemistry from UnB (1977), of Chemistry. He received the Technology Award from
specialization in Nuclear Technology ABIQUIM and the Innovation Award from SBQ for his
from UFMG (1980), MSc in Chemistry work on glycerol transformation. He participates in the
from PUC-RJ (1986), DSc in Analytical Brazilian Biodiesel Technology Network of the Ministry of
Chemistry from UFBA (1997) and has a Science and Technology. His research interests are focused
Post-Doc from UCLA (2000). He is a retired Full Professor on catalytic processes of biomass transformation and CO2
of the Federal University of Bahia, currently working in a capture and conversion, with emphasis on the molecular
Program for Participation of Retired Professors - PROPAP, aspects and innovative solutions.
in this same institution, and also as Visitor Professor in
the Master’s Program in Sustainable Development, of the Jailson B. de Andrade is full professor
SENAI-CIMATEC University Center. He was Research and deputy provost for research and
Fellow, level 2, of the CNPq, until February 2020, and graduate studies at SENAI-CIMATEC,
has been a member of the Academy of Sciences of Bahia member of the Brazilian Academy
since 2011, as one of its founders. He received, in 2018, the of Sciences (regional VP) and Bahia
Antonio Celso Spínola Costa Award in Chemistry, awarded Academy of Science (president), and
by the SBQ - Regional Bahia. fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. He was honored
as a Knight of the National Order of Scientific Merit by
Daniella Rodrigues Fernandes is the President of the Republic of Brazil (Commendateur
an adjunct professor at the Federal in 1998 and Grã-Cruz in 2009) and received the most
University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), and important decoration of the Brazilian Chemical Society,
is part of the LARHCO research group. the Simão Mathias Medal, in 2007. He is the chair of the
She received a chemistry degree (2001), National Institute for Science and Technology in Energy
a master degree in inorganic chemistry and Environment since 2008 and coordinator of the
(2004) and a doctoral degree in organic chemistry (2009) Interdisciplinary Center in Energy and Environment (UFBA).
at UFRJ, all with specialization in petroleum chemistry;
She has working in environmental, energy and catalysis Author Contributions
areas, particularly with biomass valorization, biofuels
production and chemicals, and material development for Lílian L. N. Guarieiro was responsible for conceptualization, formal
CO2 capture and utilization. analysis, investigation, visualization, writing original draft, writing
review and editing; Michelle J. C. Rezende; Willams T. Barbosa;
Wilson A. Lopes is graduated in Gisele O. da Rocha; Pedro A. de Paula Pereira; Daniella R. Fernandes;
Biochemical Pharmacy from UFBA Wilson A. Lopes; Claudio J. A. Mota were responsible for formal
(1979), Master in Chemistry of Natural analysis, investigation, visualization, writing original draft and writing
Products from UFRJ (1988) and PhD review; Jailson B. de Andrade was responsible for conceptualization,
in Chemistry from UFBA (2007). He is formal analysis, investigation, visualization, writing original draft,
a retired Full Professor at the Institute writing review and supervision.
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Published online: September 12, 2022

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