17 November 2026

Challenges in Catalysis IX

Organised by:

SCI’s Fine Chemicals group and RSC’s Applied Catalysis Group

RSC, Burlington house

Prices start from £125.00

Early bird offer ends 13 October 2026

Synopsis

SCI’s Fine Chemicals Group and RSC’s Applied Catalysis Group are pleased to announce this one-day biennial symposium - Challenges in Catalysis for Pharmaceuticals and Fine chemicals IX. The aim of this meeting, well-supported both by industry and academia is to debate the current developments in catalysis, where they are going and what industry needs. An exciting line up of leading academic and industrial scientists will present a series of lectures covering topics in homogeneous, heterogeneous and enzymatic catalysis.

Attendees

This meeting is suitable for all organic/medicinal chemists (students, early and mid-career) working in academia and industry and chemical engineers in process development.

Programme

Tuesday 17 November 2026

10.00: Registration and refreshments
10.30: Introduction and welcome
10.35: Cyclopropenimine-enabled catalytic strategies for stereoselective bond formations
Professor Sarah Lee, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Korea (online presentation)
11.25: The cost of catalysis: What it means and how to bring it down through Innovation
Dr Beatriz Dominguez, Johnson Matthey
12.15: Lunch, posters and exhibition
13.45: Toward breaking the dimensionality barrier: Data science combined with HTE for scalable catalysis
Steven Fussell, Asymchem
14.35: Catalytic processes for the synthesis of perfumery ingredients – Challenges and opportunities
Dr Lionel Saudan, DSM
15.25: Refreshments, posters and exhibition
15.55: Sustainability at AstraZeneca: Use of earth-abundant metal catalysis in process chemistry
Dr Scott Rice, AstraZeneca
16.45: Can biocatalysis be even greener?
Professor Francesca Paradisi, University of Bern
17.35: Poster prize presentation
17.40: Closing remarks
17.45: Wine reception

SCI’s Fine Chemicals Group are committed to promoting diversity and equality in the chemical sciences. We aim to identify high quality speakers for all our conferences with full inclusivity where attendees from all backgrounds are welcome. We are open to offering flexible presentation options.

Call for posters

If you would like to present a poster, please send an abstract of maximum one A4 page or up to 300 words, indicating title and authors, to conferences@soci.org by Wednesday 16 September 2026 with the subject line “Challenges in Catalysis IX – poster abstract submission”. You can download an Abstract_Template. Selected poster presenters will have the opportunity to give a flash presentation.

First place poster prize winners will receive a complimentary year of full SCI membership.

Sponsorship information

Please see the sponsorship pack and email conferences@soci.org to let us know which package you are interested in.

Accessibility Grants

SCI accessibility grants are available to support SCI members with disabilities, long term health conditions, those who require a carer, and members who are nursing parents to attend SCI events. Download an application form to apply for a grant.

Venue and Contact

SCI

Burlington House
Piccadilly
W1J 0BA

Conference Team

Tel: +44 (0)20 7598 1561

Email: conferences@soci.org

Fees

Early bird - ends Tuesday 13 October 2026
SCI/RSC* Member - £125
Non-member - £145
SCI/RSC** Student member - £40

After early bird
SCI/RSC* Member - £175
Non-member - £195
SCI/RSC** Student member - £55

*RSC members should enter the Event discount code EJRFCHEM730 and select “Guest Member” under the section Member type. Delegates will be contacted for their RSC membership number after successful registration.

**RSC student members should enter the Event discount code EJRFCHEM730S and select “Guest Member” under the section Member type. Delegates will be contacted for their RSC membership number after successful registration.

All registrations will automatically receive a confirmation within 24 hours of registering for the event. Should you not receive written confirmation of your booking, please email conferences@soci.org.

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Booking Process/Deadlines

Booking terms and conditions

Partners

Exhibitors

Organising committee

Emmanuel Callens, 30Technology
Sarah Facchetti, Johnson Matthey
Sam Staniland, AstraZeneca
Katherine Wheelhouse, GSK