Concrete progress: The science of more sustainable building materials
Fourteen billion cubic metres a year; seven percent of global CO2 emissions. Decarbonising the concrete industry by 2050 is a huge challenge, Adam Duckett reports
Interview: Breakthroughs in colloids and interface science
The Sir Eric Rideal award lecture honours individuals who have made sustained and distinguished contribution to colloid and interface science. This year’s awardee is Joseph Keddie, professor of soft matter physics at the University of Surrey.
Business digest: Chemistry industry updates
The latest business digest for C&I Issue 3 2026 with all the latest mergers and acquisitions in the chemical industry.
Greener reporting: Why sustainability reporting is growing trend
Sustainability reporting communicates a company’s environmental performance to stakeholders, including investors and customers. It can also improve financial performance. Maria Burke reports
Brazilian trade boost from EU/Mercosur agreement
The Brazilian chemical industry association, Abiquim, has welcomed the finalisation of the partnership agreement between Mercosur and the EU. This agreement is seen as an important milestone that expands the access of the chemical industry in Brazil to one of the largest markets in the world.
The impact of your daily coffee
Drinking caffeinated tea or coffee regularly could be associated with a lower likehood of dementia, according to a US study. Researchers led by Dong Wang at Harvard University followed nearly 132,000 health workers in the US for an average of 37 years.
Energy prices add to Europe’s industrial pains
The European Union’s industrial competitiveness continues to worsen, with high energy prices, dependence on imports of critical materials and the slow rollout of much-needed infrastructure all contributing to the crisis.
Comment: Defining the 2026 smart factory
Today’s manufacturing industry has reached a new era entering the new year. If 2025 was defined by the cautious exploration of ‘experimental pilots’ and the collection of vast data lakes, 2026 marks the year that data finally gains a mind of its own.
From silos to systems: Reimagining industry for sustainability
One theme is becoming impossible to ignore: Sustainability is pushing industries to move beyond siloed thinking and towards more connected, system-wide approaches.
Vertical farming: Boosting microgreens with precision lighting
Microgreens are young, edible seedlings harvested during early developmental stages, typically between 6 and 21 days after germination. These crops can offer nutrient concentrations up to 40 times higher than those of their mature counterparts.