US specialities return to growth
US speciality and fine chemical volumes grew slightly by 0.2% to reach 3.52m t in January 2026, compared with a 0.8% drop in December 2025 and a 0.4% increase in November 2025. This also compares with a better-than-expected 0.4% growth in overall US industrial production in both November and December 2025.
Researchers look to boost osmotic energy harvesting
Scientists have found a way to significantly boost ‘blue’ energy, which generates electricity from the mixing of saltwater and freshwater. They designed a prototype membrane made from nanopores coated with lipids, which allows selected ions to pass through efficiently.
A new nickel catalyst for coupling reactions
Practical new nickel catalysts have been created for cross-coupled reactions. These reactions, crucial to industry, involve transition metal catalysts bringing together molecular fragments to build more complex molecules. The new nickel catalysts have been praised as a platform-level advance.