IChemE convenes expert roundtable on defossilising the chemicals industry
25th February 2025
On 25 February, IChemE brought together a range of experts for a roundtable event to discuss the prospects for defossilising the UK chemical industry, and how it might best be approached and supported.
The chemicals industry underpins the UK’s economy and provides an input to virtually all manufactured goods. The industry makes extensive use of fossil resources as both fuel and feedstock, however, this poses a serious challenge for our environmental aspirations - particularly given that alternative pathways for many essential chemicals remain unavailable or underdeveloped. To explore this issue, IChemE convened a roundtable on defossilising the UK chemicals industry, chaired by Head of Policy and Impact Duncan Lugton, and with representation from industry, third sector, academia and government.
A number of themes emerged from the discussion, including the need for a vision for future of the chemicals industry in the UK, to give industry, researchers and government something to work towards, and to help guide investment decisions and research priorities. The other recurring theme from the discussion was the pivotal role of a skilled workforce in achieving the defossilisation of the industry, with strong agreement that a shortage of chemical engineers threatens to hold back this vital agenda.
IChemE will be uploading an anonymised write-up of the discussion shortly. Find out more about the IChemE policy team and keep up with its wider work.
What is chemical engineering?
Chemical, biochemical and process engineering is the application of science, mathematics and economics in the process of turning raw materials into everyday, and more specialist, products. Professional chemical engineers design, construct and manage process operations all over the world. Energy, pharmaceuticals, food and drink, synthetic fibres and clean drinking water are just some of the industry sectors and products where chemical engineering plays a central role.
IChemE
The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) advances chemical engineering's contribution for the benefit of society. We facilitate the development of chemical engineering professionals and provide connections to a powerful network of around 30,000 members in more than 100 countries.
We support our members in applying their expertise and experience to make an influential contribution to solving major global challenges, and are the only organisation permitted to award Chartered Chemical Engineer status and Professional Process Safety Engineer registration.