Transformative trends in biotech
The biotechnology industry is undergoing a profound digital transformation, with artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and real-time analytics reshaping drug discovery, personalised medicine and healthcare delivery.
CCU – Bridging the gap between ambition and execution
As industries worldwide seek sustainable solutions to reduce carbon emissions, Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) is emerging as a game-changer. One of its most promising applications is methanol production, a vital component in numerous industrial and consumer products. By adopting CCU, we can move toward a circular carbon economy, minimising reliance on fossil resources and significantly lowering emissions.
Chemistry and sustainable food systems
When I completed my undergraduate degree in Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of London, 40 years ago this year, I never imagined what an important part the sciences of chemistry and biochemistry would play in my career.
Modular flow leads to better drugs
In batch production, all chemical ingredients are combined in a single vessel – a batch reactor. In typical batch processes, mass and heat transfer distances are relatively long, meaning molecular conditions may change over time. Conditions can also vary from one batch to another, which may lead to inconsistencies in product quality. Once production has started, modifying a batch can be challenging and time consuming.
Bridging the STEM skills gap
Bridging the STEM skills gap requires more than policy—it demands action from both government and industry to create hands-on opportunities for students.
Polypropylene patents booming
ResearchAndMarkets latest report, Polypropylene (PP) Patent Landscape Report, offers a comprehensive analysis of the patent landscape in Polypropylene (PP) technology, focusing on 27,337 patents filed from 2010 to 2024. The field of polypropylene has shown substantial growth, with an accelerating trend in patent filings, particularly in 2021, indicating an increasing commitment to innovation across sectors such as automotive, packaging and healthcare.
$1.2tr surge for Ag biologicals
The agricultural landscape is profoundly transforming as the global drive toward sustainability accelerates. The sector’s projected growth to $1.2tn by 2034 signals immense economic potential and underscores a significant shift toward environmentally responsible farming practices.
A look at the demand for plastics
Plastics are everywhere, few products are as useful. Yet, demand for virgin plastics is at risk, as more regions push for bans on single-use plastics, incentivising reuse and substitutions. Rising concerns over environmental impact are driving innovation for circular solutions to enable the materials transition that are expected to impact demand.
Using emissions gases for scalable R&D
The emissions gases that are accelerating climate change can also be viewed in a different light. Rather than just damaging by-products, CO2, nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx) and other gases are now viable raw materials for fuel precursors, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), plastics and more.
The case for Carbon capture and storage (CCUS)
Fossil fuels have great advantages as energy sources and are hard to replace. The resilience of demand means that the only way even to come close to meeting the climate goals of the Paris Agreement may be by using carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS) at scale.