Biochemical technologies are expected to change the entire environmental scenario of the chemical industry, as their products would be almost free of toxic or hazardous wastes. Bacterial desulphurization of coal and fuel gases is just one example of the immense potential. Technological innovations also include forward and backward integration so that waste products and by-products are used within the industry itself. Developing better products. Innovations in product usage principally revolve around developing ones which are more environmentally friendly during use and disposal as well as in production.
Classic examples are the development of non-ozone depleting refrigerants and aerosols.
Nevertheless, the concept of cleaner production has not picked up in the chemical industries, despite its proven economic and environmental benefits. The reasons are not hard to find. In many cases, this treatment is both expensive and complicated. A typical example was a directive issued to the industry to evaporate entire effluents to separate the dissolved solids. Even when they are willing to pay for them, the absence of a commercially viable system for transferring technology precludes them from modernizing.