MilliporeSigma’s green chemistry initiative

In March 2023, MilliporeSigma, the US and Canada life science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, expanded its partnership with Beyond Benign, a nonprofit dedicated to green chemistry  education. This multi-million-dollar, multi-year commitment aims to transform the scientific talent pipeline by integrating green chemistry principles into higher education. 

Jeffrey Whitford, VP of sustainability and social business innovation at MilliporeSigma, sat down with BioXconomy to share his insights into the initiative, its impact, and the importance of collaboration in advancing sustainable science.

BioXconomy (BX): Can you explain the green chemistry initiative and why it is needed?

JW: Green chemistry is about rethinking how we design chemical products and processes, minimizing or eliminating hazardous substances from the outset. MilliporeSigma’s partnership with Beyond Benign is rooted in this philosophy, aiming to equip educators and students with the tools to apply greener practices. By doing so, we can reduce environmental and human health impacts while accelerating sustainable scientific innovation.

This initiative is more than just a commitment – it’s a vision for the future. Through our collaboration, we’ve already surpassed our 2025 target of reaching 1.4 million students with sustainability training, achieving 1.6 million students globally at no cost. By 2030, we aim to introduce sustainable science principles to over 15.5 million students and 10,000 faculty members worldwide. 

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BX: What is your long-term goal?

JW: Our long-term goal is simple yet transformative: to make green chemistry synonymous with chemistry itself. Many education systems still fail to prepare scientists to design sustainable materials or processes, and this partnership is helping to close that gap by embedding sustainability early in the scientific value chain.

BX: How does MilliporeSigma partner with academia to ensure the initiative’s success?

JW: Our strategy is built on collaboration with leading universities and nonprofits that share our commitment to sustainability. For example, we work closely with Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and other institutions to advance research and strengthen the science talent pipeline. Beyond Benign was a natural partner for this initiative due to their unmatched leadership in green chemistry education and their ability to engage academia effectively.

Together, we’re breaking down barriers to green chemistry education through platforms like the Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community (GCTLC), which connects educators, students, and industry leaders worldwide. Launched in October 2023, the GCTLC already serves over 4,000 faculty members and offers more than 200 open-access resources to integrate green chemistry into classrooms. We’re also expanding Beyond Benign’s Green Chemistry Commitment (GCC), uniting higher education institutions around the shared goal of embedding green chemistry into curricula. Additionally, we support innovation through grants for GCC signers, funding projects that advance green chemistry education and innovation.

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BX: How does MilliporeSigma maintain positive relationships with academia involved in this initiative?

JW: Our partnership with Beyond Benign is key to nurturing relationships with educators and institutions. Their team works directly with academia to bring green chemistry to life, while we maintain our own connections through joint programs, events, and ongoing collaboration. For instance, we sponsor major events like the ACS Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference (GC&E) and host initiatives such as the Green Chemistry Symposium.

At the 2025 ACS GC&E Conference, we facilitated meaningful dialogue between academia and industry. Highlights included panel discussions, presentations, and sessions showcasing how experiential learning and collaboration can drive sustainable science. These types of events are vital for fostering community, sharing experiences, and strengthening connections between students, faculty, and industry professionals.

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BX: How important are partnerships like these for advancing sustainability?

JW: Sustainability progress doesn’t happen in isolation – it requires collaboration. Partnerships like ours with Beyond Benign are essential for embedding green chemistry into education and empowering the next generation of scientists. Today, sustainability isn’t treated as a core concept in most chemistry programs. By working together, we’re shifting this paradigm, helping students and communities worldwide approach chemistry through a sustainable lens.

BX: How do these partnerships come to fruition?

JW: Our Sustainability and Social Business Innovation team leads the way in identifying and developing partnerships that align with our mission to increase global access to science. We seek organizations with deep expertise in specific areas, building long-term relationships that drive measurable impact. Beyond Benign exemplifies this approach, but we also partner with groups like GirlStart and Seeding Labs to empower underrepresented communities and provide scientists with the tools they need.

Ultimately, it’s about shared purpose and collaboration working side by side to expand access, accelerate innovation, and make science more sustainable for future generations. Through partnerships like these, we’re not just funding initiatives: we’re amplifying what both sides can achieve together.

Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity.