17 November 2026
Challenges in Catalysis IX
Organised by:
SCI’s Fine Chemicals group and RSC’s Applied Catalysis Group
RSC, Burlington house
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.Confirmed speakers
Cyclopropenimine-enabled catalytic strategies for stereoselective bond formations
Pr Sarah Lee, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Korea (online presentation)
Catalytic processes for the synthesis of perfumery ingredients – Challenges and opportunities
Lionel Saudan, DSM
Toward breaking the dimensionality barrier: Data science combined with HTE for scalable catalysis
Steve Fussell, Asymchem
Sustainability at AstraZeneca: Use of earth-abundant metal catalysis in process chemistry
Scott Rice, AstraZeneca
Can biocatalysis be even greener
Francesca Paradisi, University of Bern
The cost of catalysis: What it means and how to bring it down through Innovation
Beatriz Dominguez, Johnson Matthey
Programme
The programme will be confirmed in due course.
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. 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
RSC
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
Partners
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Exhibitors
Organising committee
Emmanuel Callens, 30TechnologySarah Facchetti, Johnson Matthey
Sam Staniland, AstraZeneca
Katherine Wheelhouse, GSK