Sustainable chemistry alliance boosts UK industry

A new alliance bringing together six of the UK's leading chemistry and engineering groups has been launched to support industry in the drive for more sustainable products and services

SusChem UK will focus on areas where innovation in science and engineering can bring about major advances in sustainability and its Chairman, Dr David Brown, says the group's formation offers huge potential for UK industry: "With the global market for environmental products and services estimated to exceed GBP300 billion by 2010, there has never been a better opportunity for the chemistry-using industries to develop the 'greener' products and services to meet this demand".

Brown, who is also Chief Executive at the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) added: "Our organisations have a collective knowledge and expertise that will prove invaluable to both industry and academia.

SusChem UK will work with these groups to set the research agenda for sustainable chemistry and the development of chemistry-based solutions that will contribute to a sustained quality of life for all".

Sustainable chemistry will play an important role in addressing some of the key societal issues we face in terms of the impact of climate change, the availability of fossil fuels, the security of energy supply, safe water, affordable healthcare and more effective use of material resources.

SusChem UK comprises the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Chemistry Innovation and Bioscience for Business Knowledge Transfer Networks, the Chemical Industries Association, the Society for Chemical Industry, and IChemE.

It is one of 14 national platforms in Europe that link with the EU Technology Platform for Sustainable Chemistry.

In forming the alliance its partners seek to respond to six major sustainability challenges: the shift from hydrocarbon towards carbohydrate feedstocks; development of innovative eco-efficient processes; the move to a low carbon economy; promoting a better understanding of green / sustainable design and its value to business; improved life cycle understanding through supply chains; development of the chemistry-based solutions that will support a sustained quality of life.

Brown stressed that the SusChem UK partners will be working together to promote practical examples of sustainable chemistry and engineering that will enable UK companies to develop 'greener' products and services and thereby profit from the global market opportunities that exist.

SusChem UK will be a national platform for European dialogue, providing a structured model to exchange information with other member states and the European Commission.

It will draw on the shared understanding and know-how of the alliance partners to influence legislation, provide information and advice to UK industry and academia, and encourage co-operative projects and consortia.

The alliance will align activities taking place in the UK and promote the business of sustainable chemistry, showing how chemistry and chemical engineering can help industry and society become more sustainable.

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