INDUSTRY SECTORS
Making a success of the UK’s industrial strategy
While government recognition for the chemicals industry is welcome, some areas lack detail. Duncan Lugton, Head of Policy & Impact at IChemE, analyses the strategy.
The UK government’s industrial strategy aims to strengthen economic growth by focusing on foundational...
Novel advanced materials for the innovation age: the Metalysis FFC electrochemical process
The Metalysis electrolysis process - applicable to 49 elements of the periodic table - is producing metals and metal alloys which are driving forward electronics, semiconductors, hypersonics, aerospace, and defence, writes CEO Nitesh Shah.
The need for advanced materials has...
Playing ‘catch-up’ in digital process safety management
Iain Mackay, SVP, PSM at Sphera, discusses how overcoming human barriers to digital transformation in the chemical industry can bolster performance and safety.
Post-pandemic, the speed of digitalisation in the chemical industry has accelerated by 56%.
However, many businesses often lack...
Outsourcing trends in pharma
The team at Bachem share insights on the relationship between pharma companies & CDMOs.
Outsourcing plays a critical role in modern drug development and manufacturing.
The continued rise in demand for complex modalities, such as peptides and oligonucleotides, and increased pressures...
Electrochemical process turns biodiesel waste into ‘planet-friendly profit’
An electrochemical process developed by scientists at a Loughborough University spin-out enables biodiesel producers to turn waste into profit – while slashing emissions and energy use.
The R3V Tech team, headed by chemistry experts Dr Adriano Randi (CEO) and Professor Benjamin Buckley (CSO), have developed a...
Making a success of the UK’s industrial strategy
While government recognition for the chemicals industry is welcome, some areas lack detail. Duncan Lugton, Head of Policy & Impact at IChemE, analyses the strategy.
The UK government’s industrial strategy aims to strengthen economic growth by focusing on foundational sectors,...
Alarming rise in fake ATEX equipment threatens worker safety in Europe
Counterfeit ATEX-certified equipment is flooding industrial supply chains, putting workers and businesses at serious risk of explosions, injuries – and even death. Terry McDonald, Thorne & Derrick International, says urgent steps must be taken to reduce risk.
ATEX certification is...
Rethinking labelling for hazardous & dangerous goods: closing the safety gap
When transporting hazardous and dangerous goods, there may be an assumption that compliance takes care of itself – and once a label is printed and placed on a barrel or container, the job is done. But the process of...
British chemical supply chain ‘failing’ on emissions
The UK chemical sector is urged to ‘get its act together’ when reporting on actions to reduce its supply chain emissions.
A new Carbon Action Report claims that only 6% of UK businesses have set a Scope 3 target and...
ECHA publishes updated PFAS restriction proposal
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published an updated proposal to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the EU’s chemicals regulation, REACH.
The update has been prepared by authorities from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, who submitted...
Ensuring polymer consistency at scale
With global plastic production soaring to almost 450 million tonnes annually, small variations in polymer quality can quickly cascade, leading to scrap, downtime or even recalls. Here, Stephanie Williams, senior product specialist at materials testing specialist Instron explores how...
Smarter motion for the chemical industry
The chemical industry could tackle problems related to energy efficiency and productivity using integrated motor-drive systems, says Ghanshyam Shrestha, R&D Technology Manager at ABB IEC Low Voltage Motors.
The chemical industry is foundational. It supplies the world with essential materials...
AI hallucinations are eroding trust in lab tools – but there are solutions
As scientists and researchers seek to integrate AI more deeply into daily lab workflows, tackling the issue of false or misleading information is a top priority, says Andrew Wyatt, Chief Growth Officer, Sapio Sciences.
AI is increasingly important for biopharma...
The New Chemists: AI Agents are transforming the chemical industry
Dr. Marc Feldmann, senior principal, Data & AI, Alexander Thamm, explains Agentic AI and its potential for the chemical industry in this Chemical Industry Journal exclusive.
Remember Clippy, Microsoft Word’s uninvited paperclip assistant from the ‘90s?
While Clippy faded into history,...
Decisive action is needed by Government
The decision to extend UK REACH deadlines has only deepened and increased concerns over the government’s commitment and support for the chemicals sector, says Tim Doggett, CEO of the Chemical Business Association (CBA).
The chemical supply chain is one of...
Chemical Logistics: Enhancing Supply Chain Efficiency
In today’s competitive market, the demand for efficient supply chain management is higher than ever, particularly in the chemical industry. Chemical logistics involves the transportation, storage, and handling of chemicals, which requires tailored solutions and specialised knowledge to ensure...
Hyster adds Hyster Tracker as standard feature on broad selection of lift trucks
Hyster announces that the base level of its Hyster Tracker™ telemetry solution, known as wireless monitoring, will now be included as standard on electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) counterbalanced lift trucks. Wireless monitoring tracks lift truck utilisation, impacts,...
Tariffs: Shifting trade paradigms and soaring uncertainty
Trade has become increasingly politicised. In the shorter-term, on-and-off tariffs are contributing to overwhelming uncertainty, affecting global economic growth projections, curbing demand growth and generally hindering business. For the major chemical value chains, the direct tariff effects beyond demand...
How global warming impacts the cold chain
Despite playing a crucial role in the delivery of life-saving medicines, packaging providers are often overlooked in logistics planning, says Niklas Adamsson, CEO Interim and COO at Envirotainer.
Global distribution of life-saving pharmaceuticals is incredibly complex, with several different components...
The race to build critical material supply chains
Trade wars have shone the spotlight on global earth supply chain risks, midstream bottlenecks, and the importance of Western midstream capability. David Hawkins, from UK-based Metalysis, responds to China’s Rare Earth Element Controls.
The recent trade war between China and...
Bridging the generational skills gap
As a significant number of skilled workers approach retirement, Andreas Eschbach, CEO of eschbach, discusses how digital tools and AI can enable the transfer of tacit knowledge between old and new generations of plant workers before it is lost...
Securing Industrial Strength with Chromium-6
Chromium-6, often referred to as Hexavalent Chrome, has long been indispensable to modern industry. While its use continues to face regulatory scrutiny in Europe, with future access under review and limited to ‘essential use’ cases, the UK government has...
Unlocking Efficiency: VEGA’s Digital Toolbox for Chemical Plants
The chemical industry is under constant pressure to enhance safety, efficiency and transparency, all while managing increasingly complex production systems. At the same time, plants must evolve beyond traditional operating boundaries. Field-level digitalisation is a key enabler here –...
Process safety is vital for scaling up the Foundation Industries
By Andrew Buchanan of 6 Engineering, engineering consultants for the major hazards industries and partner of Foundation Industries Ventures (FIVe).
The need for new sustainable materials and processes has never been greater. New materials are in the making and gases...
Reducing the Burden of the COMAH cycle
For over 20 years, the storage and handling of hazardous substances in the UK has been controlled under the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations. The duties placed upon operators under these regulations can feel onerous, particularly for...
Don’t let rising HEAT raise your risk
A vital but sometimes overlooked aspect of safe storage is temperature control, especially during warmer months when ambient conditions can easily breach safe thresholds. Mike Brodie, managing director of Chemstore UK, explains why the risk must be taken seriously.
Why...
Hygiene Showers vs Safety Showers: Protecting Workers from Chemical Exposure
By James Hamilton, Global Engineering Manager at Hughes Safety Showers
In industries where exposure to harmful chemicals and dust is a daily occurrence, the importance of workplace safety cannot be overstated. Every year in the UK, approximately 13,000 deaths are...
Chemical Industry at a Crossroads: How Tariffs Could Reshape 2025
By: Olaf Gierlichs-Steffens
Senior Underwriter at Atradius
The chemical industry is poised for growth over the next two years, despite being amongst the worst impacted by the 2022-2023 energy crisis. The sector heavily relies on energy, and as natural gas and...
DACHSER Chem Logistics: Chemicals in safe hands
The chemical industry is one of the most successful and competitive industries there is, supplying virtually all other sectors with crucial intermediate and end products as well as solutions. This is made possible by high production standards, comprehensive infrastructure,...
Strong Partnerships – the Key to Success in a Changing World
Today’s business environment requires agility and adaptation to keep up with technological, economic and political challenges, just to remain competitive. In addition, woven into how we all conduct our businesses and deliver on targets, is the need to ensure...
