Thought Leader Interview: Managing Substances of Concern: A Smarter Approach to Sustainable Innovation

In this episode Lee Green interviews Lori Austino, DuPont’s global technology leader, about how the company defines and manages substances of concern. Lori explains the shift from acute to chronic toxicants, the development of internal standards and substance lists, and the principles that guide existing products versus new innovations.

She reviews practical tools, alternatives assessment methods, and a workbook to support R&D decisions, and discusses challenges around supplier disclosure, waste streams, circularity, and avoiding regrettable substitutions. The episode closes with next steps for integrating sustainability into strategic value and ongoing cross-functional collaboration.

Link to the database mentioned in the webinar