The objective of the course is to provide an in-depth overview of the concept of life cycle analysis for chemicals and materials, with an emphasis on the consumption of natural resources and hazards posed to the environment and health, and on the possible approaches to a sustainable chemistry. The main criteria for designing new processes and materials based on renewable resources and/or on new technologies capable of improving chemical yield, material performance and, as a result, environmental impact.
The course content may be divided in four main sections.
1) The classical "green chemistry” metrics and impact indicators: the multifaceted approach to designing and quantitatively evaluating new synthetic schemes, introducing new solvent systems and new ways to activate chemical reactions and intensify chemical processes, aiming at improving the environmental, economic and social sustainability.
2) Energy production, conversion and storage based on the conventional oil economy versus the new technologies for energy production from renewable resources, efficient conversion and storage.
3) The life cycle concept and the options for its extension, including a general knowledge of the LCA methodology, the end-of-life options and the relevant technologies (solid waste treatment, energy recovery, polymer recycling).
4) Towards a “green economy”. Biorefinery, bioplastics and biomass as an source renewable energy and of raw chemicals to complement and partially replace the traditional fossil hydrocarbon stock.

The main criteria for the conversion or ab initio design of chemical processes and materials starting from renewable resources and/or using new technologies to improve the efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of current industrial productions will be critically discussed. The sustainability concept and LCA methodology will be presented. Moreover, attention will be drawn on some of the most innovative materials and devices, and the related technologies, for the generation, storage, and conversion of energy from renewable resources. The biorefinery and the main issues concerning its potentiality to progressively replace the oil-based chemical and energy production will be critically discussed. Some of the main chemical and physical features of colloids, surfaces, interfaces and membranes will then be presented in connection with their role in low impact heterogeneous materials (as in polymer blends from recycled raw materials, biohybrids, nanocomposites) and in process intensification.