ABSTRACT
It is well understood today that our society has to face the challenge of modifying the traditional industrial growth to a sustainable growth, if we want to continue developing for generations. In principle, adverse environmental impact can be notably reduced by optimizing the existing activities. Present design methods are effectively devoted, in most cases, to manage wastes better, to introduce methods for pollution abatement, and to realize cleaner processes for cleaner products. Nevertheless, these positive effects are expected to be offset by the ongoing growth. Traditional environmental management and pollution prevention will not suffice in the long run; newer approaches, which are radically innovative and integrated, are needed. The chemical and engineering community are already paying significant attention to the quest for technologies that would lead us to the goal of technological sustainability.
