Green Chemistry, Green Profits: Leveraging Sustainability for Bottom-Line Success
Session Summary: Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword in the chemical industry—it’s a key driver of profitability and long-term business success. In this session, industry experts will discuss how integrating sustainable practices into chemical manufacturing and operations can lead to significant cost savings, improved efficiency, and enhanced brand value, all while contributing to a healthier planet. From energy optimization and waste reduction to adopting circular economy principles and green chemistry, this session will explore actionable strategies for chemical companies to reduce their environmental footprint while simultaneously strengthening their financial performance.
Attendees will gain insights into how sustainability efforts can lower operational costs, improve regulatory compliance, open new revenue streams, and strengthen customer loyalty. Real-world case studies will demonstrate how leading chemical companies are embedding sustainability into their business models, achieving both environmental and financial success. The session will also cover best practices for measuring sustainability’s impact on the bottom line and how to effectively communicate these efforts to stakeholders and investors.
This Session is Sponsored By:
Veolia
Speakers
Myriam trepanier
Moderator
Myriam recently assumed the position of Sustainability Leader of the North American region for the Water Tech division of Veolia. In this capacity, she is responsible for spearheading and executing the organization’s sustainable development strategies and objectives, while also adapting to specific regional requirements. Her professional background in environmental compliance and sustainability has provided her with exposure to diverse industries throughout her career, notably in microelectronics, food & beverage, and aerospace & defense. She has actively contributed to various projects supporting sustainable business growth. Myriam holds a B.A.Sc. in Health Education and a Master’s of Environmental Health and Safety from the University of Minnesota - Duluth, as well as an MBA with a concentration in Environmental Management from the University of Houston Clear Lake. A native of Canada, she currently resides in the Minneapolis, MN metropolitan area.
Iliana Nava
Panelist
Iliana is a Market Development Manager with Jungbunzlauer. Her role is to ensure the technical success of the company’s biogums portfolio, which includes xanthan gum and gellan gum. With a background in Food Science, she has been in the food ingredient industry for 15+ years where she has had the opportunity to lead and collaborate on different projects involving starches, sweeteners, and hydrocolloids. She completed her B.S. in Food Engineering in Mexico City, where she is originally from, and her M.Sc. in Food Science and Human Nutrition with the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.
In her free time, Iliana enjoys doing yoga, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Travis O’Banion
Panelist
Travis O’Banion is the Managing Director of Safety and Sustainability at Highway Transport, headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee. With a career spanning over four decades in the chemical industry, Travis has extensive experience in DOT and OSHA safety regulations, as well as environmental management. He began his journey in 1980, spending the first ten years in the bulk liquid storage and transfer sector before transitioning to chemical bulk transportation, where he has dedicated 35 years. Travis has played a pivotal role as an auditor and coordinator in the Responsible Care partner program with three different carriers. He joined Highway Transport two years ago and currently resides in Houston, Texas.
Prerna Chatterjee
Panelist
As a Applied Sustainability Manager at BASF, Prerna works on the development and implementation of sustainability strategies for the global chemical company. With over 12 years of experience in sustainability management, Prerna has a passion for creating business value through sustainability, as well as a proven track record of delivering impactful solutions for various industry and retail sectors.
Prerna has been recognized as the Woman of the Year, 2023, by Women in Chemicals. Prerna leverages her skills in sustainable energy, communication, and carbon footprint analysis to identify and prioritize issues, trends, and opportunities for sustainability improvement and innovation. Prerna also serves as a thought leader and BASF representative for various external organizations and initiatives. Prerna's mission is to advance BASF's leadership in the area of sustainability by creating marketing concepts and solutions that meet customers' needs and expectations.