Interconnections and Sustainable Development as context for Chemical Engineering courses Resource Depletion Awareness should be embedded in chemical engineers’ education. Chemical Engineering deals with reaction paths selection under several restrictions for chemicals production, and a certain amount of energy for operation.

To foster a “bird’s view” among the future professionals. taking into consideration the place where the profession is immersed in the market and its connections Interconnections and Sustainable Development as context for Chemical Engineering courses

Raw materials use and availability is influenced by innovation, as well as by public policy and in a far connection by sustainable development. Connections modulate action and decision making, the evolution from the current unsustainable pathway of resource appropriation, can be attained by changing our mindset. Since Rio Summit (1992) concepts, tools, and methods have appeared for advancing towards sustainability. BASF Dow Dupont Major chemical companies are embarked in this effort: BASF and its Eco-efficiency Analysis and SEEBALANCE®; Dow and its 12 Point Sustainable Development Operating Plan; Dupont and its 2015 Sustainability Goals. Shell Also Shell, an energy company, is pursuing this journey. Interconnections and Sustainable Development as context for Chemical Engineering courses

World Business Council for Sustainable Development The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) fostered and promoted what is known as Eco-efficiency, among other relevant issues. OECD The OECD (1998a) has had a workshop in Sustainable Chemistry, and presently planning to further Education for SD. American Chemical Society 12 Green Chemistry Principles The American Chemical Society has backed up the effort to launch the 12 Green Chemistry Principles, and also the 12 Green Engineering Principles. European Green (and Sustainable) Chemistry Award. The European Environment Agency (2001) has established the European Green (and Sustainable) Chemistry Award. Interconnections and Sustainable Development as context for Chemical Engineering courses

Sustainable chemistry, Recycle, Industrial Ecology, Cleaner production For Chemical Engineering, under the “Others” category within the Environment concept, the following concepts have been used: Sustainable chemistry, Recycle, Industrial Ecology, Cleaner production helping to complement the above presented categories. Incorporating SD concepts within courses in curricula. Gathering a list of concepts related to SD and grouping them according to the Triple Bottom Line we have: Environment: Policy/Management, Eco-efficiency, Reports, Pollution, Others. Economic: GDP, Productivity, Resource depletion, Energy (Renew. & Non- renew.), Finance & SD, Prod. & Consumption Patterns Social: Demography, Employment & Unemployment, Poverty, Equity, Ethics, Health Chosen as a general foundation for courses in all curricula within Tecnológico de Monterrey. Interconnections and Sustainable Development as context for Chemical Engineering courses

For newer 2007 courses in Chemical Engineering (CE) curriculum a matrix was generated showing for the various courses which concepts related to SD could be used. Initial matrix for Chemical Engineering Option A curriculum.

Academic Vice-presidency for the 33 campuses of Tecnológico de Monterrey, decided to have 3 courses at least where SD incorporation is mandatory in all curricula. decided to expand this course number to 6 The CE faculty members decided to expand this course number to 6 for both options, A and S. Final matrix for Chemical Engineering Option A curriculum with courses where SD is incorporated.

Final matrix for Chemical Engineering Option S curriculum with courses where SD is incorporated.

Commenting on a specific concept with more detail as an example to incorporate SD: An important tool, from the business perspective, is Eco-efficiency and its 7 criteria. These can be woven across chemical engineering curricula with ease, due to its pertinence in various stages of chemical production, from innovation, designing, and operating levels. But also embedding the Green Chemistry and Green Engineering principles is rather straightforward, for instance the following green chemistry principles: Synthetic methods should be designed to maximise the incorporation of all materials used in the process into the final product “Synthetic methods should be designed to maximise the incorporation of all materials used in the process into the final product” This principle provides basis for chemical process design in choosing reaction paths, as well as providing a driving force for efficient engineering design. It can be embedded in the course of Material balance and any course for Design at the career’s end. A raw material of feedstock should be renewable rather than depleting wherever technically and economically practicable sense of ethical responsibility towards the Future Generations This other principle: “A raw material of feedstock should be renewable rather than depleting wherever technically and economically practicable” It can be embedded in the Design course, but it can also be given the sense of ethical responsibility towards the Future Generations. Biomass use It can also be used to foster in students the analysis on Biomass use to provide fuels, as well as chemical products.

Now on the Green Engineering principles for instance: It is better to prevent waste than to treat or clean up waste after it is formed Principle 2 “It is better to prevent waste than to treat or clean up waste after it is formed” It gives a sense of ethical responsibility when choosing the reaction paths, as well as providing context for a proper separation system design. Also connected with the eco-efficiency criterion of “minimising toxic dispersions” a performance indicator for the process can be generated. Further examples can be put forward but summarising it can be said that for the transition that is needed, chemical engineers need to consider concepts such as eco-efficiency, sustainable and green chemistry and engineering, corporate social responsibility, just to mention a few, these can be woven easily in courses.