Farewell

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The International Conference on Materials and Technologies for Green Chemistry jointly with COST Action CM0903 yearly meeting was held 5-9 September 2011 at the Conference Centre of Hotel Olümpia, Tallinn, Estonia. The conference was targeting the most crucial problems in chemistry related to creation of new materials and technologies in the context of sustainable development. It covered areas of new solvents and reaction media, reactions in these media, catalysis and bio-catalysis, and development of new analytical techniques based on miniaturization and nanotechnology for pollution prevention in chemistry. Emphasis was placed on the processing of biomass. Special lectures were devoted to toxicity problems related to new materials and technologies. The conference was bringing together Europe’s leading scientists from academia and industry who are committed not only to conducting research, but also to finding technologies that reduce the carbon footprint and dependency on non-renewable resources in order to ensure long-term economic viability.A key objective of this conference was to provide an environment that facilitates widespread interdisciplinary communication. Early stage researchers who wish to broaden their scientific interests had access to professional introductions and advice from the leading experts in academia and industry.

This is a very important year for chemists – we are celebrating the International Year of Chemistry, and our conference is one of many organized in its honor. But there is an even more significant event for our conference audience: this is the 20th anniversary of the coining of the term “green chemistry”.During these 20 years, green chemistry has become a vital part of chemistry disciplines; and our conference wasdevoted to the most crucial problems related to the creation of new materials and technologies in the context of sustainable development in chemistry.

More than 140 presentations were taking place in the conference of four days.European most recognized scientists in the field of Green Chemistry were taking part from our conference and delivered plenary or invited lectures. In oral sessions 56 papers in total were presented, while 92 posters were presented in poster session. The organizers were particularly happy to find many talented young researchers in poster and evening lecture presentations.

SustainChem conference in Tallinn attracted more than 160 participants (32 countries). The conference showed a high level of science, and provided a friendly forum for international exchange. The high activity in Central and Easter Europeregion was recognized, as indicated by the number of submissions to this proceeding issue of the journal.

The participants had a chance to visit Old Tallinn and to touch the Estonian culture in the sightseeing tours as a part of the program. The conferencewas taking place during the time that Tallinn is the featured Cultural Capital of Europe.The organizers thought that the cultural exchange was as important as the scientific exchange.

This meeting has received funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme under grant agreement n°229830, sponsored by Tallinn University of Technology, by local companies including HNK and Cambrex

On behalf of the Scientific and Organizing Committees we thank you for outstanding contributions with lectures and posters and wish success in science and happiness at home.

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