Focus on PFAS
A major challenge for industry, regulators and environmental professionals is reacting appropriately to emerging contaminants. This is especially relevant for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a broad group of some several thousand synthetic fluorochemicals, which are the focus of dramatically increasing regulatory action.
Carbon literacy
A ‘by chance’ conversation just over two years ago introduced BASF to the concept of Carbon Literacy training and set us on a journey of stakeholder engagement on climate change. We knew then that a problem exists (the climate crisis), that we as an organisation played our part in it and that we had a strategy aimed at overcoming it.
Cannabis in Europe
Some 60,000 people were able to access cannabis medications for the first time in Europe in 2020, bringing the total to 185,000 patients. The value of the European market will reach €406m by the end of 2021: a year-on-year growth of 75%. Read the full comment in C&I Magazine.
Priced for recovery
Materials that hold a negative value or that companies do not realise have any value that can be recovered will most likely be lost in the disposal process. This means every year millions of pounds worth of precious metals could be being literally poured down the drain. Read the comment article in C&I Magazine.
Circular arguments
Just among us chemists, I’ll bet many of you have shared the ‘pariah’ experience. ‘Eew, you work with chemicals…or the chemical industry…or with plastics’ and so on, accompanied by a withering stare. Read the comment article in C&I Magazine.
Nail your pitch
Most business leaders will, at some point, need to pitch for investment. Unless you’re a scion of a rich dynasty, as your business grows you will need an injection of capital to keep moving forward.
US winter storm hits petrochemicals
The early 2021 cold snap in the US dramatically impacted the country’s petrochemical industry. The concentration of the winter storm was particularly pronounced in Texas, which geographically represents the workhorse of the US olefins industry, paralysing US petrochemical production and disrupting 15% of the global olefins market. Read more in C&I Magazine.
Data sharing – remotely
For many in non-scientific industries, it might be simple enough to carry on working with the addition of Zoom and Google Docs to keep workflows running smoothy, however, for those in scientific, evidence-based industries, where the collection, structuring and sharing of data is vital, the impact has been more complex and challenging, highlighting concerns about the long-term viability of our industry in its current state.
Understanding the new UFI
The UFI serves as a unique recipe identifier and helps with the exact identification of a dangerous mixture to enable faster first aid.
Incentivising green R&D
The UK Government has to incentivise UK scientists and business entrepreneurs by giving them a variety of tax breaks if it is meet its green agenda. The Government’s 10-point green plan is a positive step in addressing the challenges of climate change but in order to make the UK the centre of the green economy further scientific and business incentivisation is needed right now. Read more in C&I Magazine.