On 16 December, Ukraine hosted its first Green Chemistry Forum — an event that launched a systematic dialogue on the role of innovation and safer chemical solutions in the sustainable development of Ukrainian industry and the strengthening of its competitiveness.

The Forum brought together more than 100 participants both offline in Kyiv and online. Participants included representatives of industrial enterprises, universities, research institutions, public authorities, civil society organizations, and the startup ecosystem. These professionals are already shaping the future of Ukraine’s chemical sector and industry today.

Forum Format and Programme

The Forum was held on 16 December 2025 in a hybrid format (11:00–15:30 EEST): offline at Osvitoria Hub in Kyiv, with the option to participate online via Zoom.

The programme featured 12 presentations delivered by 13 speakers, a Q&A session, panel discussions, as well as informal networking during coffee breaks and a networking dinner.

The event was moderated by Kateryna Romanova, Communications and Circular Economy Advocacy Expert at the Center for Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production, who opened the Forum and ensured its organizational and technical coordination.

The Forum opened with welcoming remarks delivered by Oksana Mylianyk, Green recovery expert, Reform Support Team, Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture (Environment Sub-team), Olena Kovalova, Senior National Liaison Expert, UNIDO, and Lars Ratjen, Director of the GreenChem Program, Yale Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering, who emphasized the relevance of green chemistry for Ukraine and set the framework for further discussions.

Key Sessions and Speakers

The substantive part of the Forum was shaped by presentations from Ukrainian and international experts, who shared their perspectives on the development of green chemistry at the global, national, and applied levels.

Special attention was given to the international dimension of cooperation. Lars Ratjen, Director of the Global GreenChem Program at the Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering (Yale University), delivered the session “The Global GreenChem Program: How International Cooperation Accelerates the Transition to Green Chemistry”, outlining the role of global networks, partnerships, and knowledge exchange in advancing sustainable chemical practices.

Olena Tabachuk, Program Manager of the Green Chemistry Business Accelerator at the Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production Centre, spoke about the implementation of GreenChem initiatives in Ukraine and the results achieved to date. She highlighted the programme’s key activities, including events, acceleration programmes, and practical cases demonstrating the application of green chemistry principles across various industrial sectors.

Opportunities for science and business within the Green Chemistry for Sustainability Platform were presented by Julie Manley, Principal, Guiding Green LLC. Her presentation focused on the platform’s tools, access to resources, and opportunities for international cooperation and joint innovation projects.

Practical experience in implementing green chemistry principles in Ukrainian industry was shared by Oleksandr Khokhotva, Chemical Management Expert at the Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production Centre, who focused on alternatives to persistent organic pollutants, and by Volodymyr Pipa, CEO of LLC “Production and Commercial Company MBA,” who presented examples of environmentally responsible manufacturing solutions in real business practice.

Issues of public policy in chemical safety area and related opportunities for business were addressed by Oksana Mylyanyk, Green recovery expert, Reform Support Team, Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture (Environment Sub-team). She outlined key policy priorities, regulatory requirements, and potential benefits for companies adopting green chemistry approaches.

Innovation in manufacturing and the role of sustainability in global companies were discussed by Oleksandr Aleksandrov, Country Manager Ukraine at Dow Europe. He shared examples of developing safer materials, including the introduction of PFAS-free solutions in Ukraine and initiatives to promote circular approaches in the agricultural sector.

The innovation potential of the startup ecosystem was presented by Mykola Aliiev, Founder of Novel Metals & Compounds, who introduced solutions in the fields of energy storage and lithium recovery from industrial streams as examples of the practical application of green chemistry principles.

The scientific block of the Forum brought together presentations by Ukrainian researchers. Olha Larina (L.V. Pisarzhevskyi Institute of Physical Chemistry of the NAS of Ukraine) spoke about developments in multifunctional catalysts from renewable feedstocks. Ruslan Ostroha (Sumy State University) focused on pathways for industrial implementation of scientific innovations, while Valerii Barbash (Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute) addressed environmentally safe technologies for processing non-wood plant raw materials.

The role of universities in shaping the green chemistry ecosystem was highlighted by Tetiana Ivanishena, Dean of the Faculty of Technologies and Design at Khmelnytskyi National University, who emphasized the importance of cooperation between education, science, business, and the state.

Key Discussion Topics

The Forum focused on the following key issues:

• How green chemistry can become a driver of modernization for Ukrainian industry;

• Which tools and technologies are already helping to reduce the environmental impact of production;

• How to integrate into international networks and effectively use global innovation experience;

• What opportunities the Global GreenChem Program offers for business, education, and science.

Key Takeaway of the Forum

The Forum delivered a clear message: demand for safer technologies and innovative materials is rapidly growing, and cross-sectoral cooperation is a critical prerequisite for fast and tangible change. Ukraine has significant potential to become a regional leader in green chemistry if business, science, and government join forces.

Acknowledgements and Next Steps

We sincerely thank everyone who joined the Forum, both offline in Kyiv and online.

Special thanks go to our speakers for their expertise and inspiration, and to all participants for their active engagement, insightful discussions, thoughtful questions, and openness to cooperation. Your ideas and experience have created a strong foundation for the further development of Ukraine’s green chemistry ecosystem.

The Green Chemistry Forum 2025 became another important step toward the sustainable transformation of Ukrainian industry. Ahead lie new partnerships, joint actions, and innovations that will strengthen economic competitiveness and contribute to the country’s environmental safety.