A decade ago, projects to gasify ‘bio’ feedstocks to fuels and chemicals were sprouting across the US and Europe. A 2017 study by the UK Department of Transport[1] projected global production of 300m L of fuels/year in 2023, and four times that by 2030. Actual output in 2023 will likely be under 100m L.
Will AI win a chemistry Nobel prize and replace us? That’s the question posed at my plenary lecture at the fall ACS meeting in San Francisco, California, in August. It may seem rather facetious, but the fact is it’s hard to tune in to the news these days without hearing something about the impacts of AI. Frequently negative, sometimes fun – and often exaggerated.
To achieve a net zero future, we must end our reliance on fossil resources. Yet, to move away from using fossil fuels to make plastics, we need to invest in true alternatives. We need a solid and commercially competitive alternative to fossil fuels – one that can also achieve negative emissions (a net reduction of atmospheric CO2) to stabilise global warming and secure a carbon neutral future.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been attracting negative headlines in recent months. But from a manufacturing perspective such technology is indispensable for firms seeking to remain competitive in their respective industry sectors. With advances in AI and the Internet of Things (IoT), the manufacturing sector is undergoing a transformative shift.
For most of human history, bacterial infections have been a leading cause of disease and death. Given this, it is hardly surprising that antibacterial treatments have been developed many times by different cultures at different points in human history.
The infectious diseases market is forecast to grow at 5.7% CAGR between 2023 and 2029 to reach $150bn in annual sales. The key players: Pfizer, Gilead Sciences and GSK, are expected to collectively generate 62% of total sales.
Personal genotyping is done by sequencing an individual’s DNA from saliva, sputum or blood. This allows us to study individual genes or the genome itself. The technique produces a large volume of data, which provides a detailed map of an individual’s genetic makeup.
Protection from UV and environmental oxidants is not only important for health. It’s also necessary for maintaining the functionality of active ingredients and antioxidants used in skincare and suncare products.
The rising prevalence of chronic illnesses and surgeries, along with the growth of health clubs and gyms and expanding global tourism, have all given a boost to the market for disinfectant chemicals.
Grid and pricing volatility is a major challenge for the energy intensive chemicals industry. But the sector can reduce reliance on external factors by implementing on-site energy solutions. Read the comment by David Kipling, CEO On-Site Energy