Direct air capture, carbon dots and synthetic cells have all been included in a list of the top emerging technologies in chemistry. It's the seventh year running that the list has been compiled. Find the full list here: www.soci.org/news/2025/11... #chemsky 🧪

How silver nanoparticles could protect chilli plants from disease. A new study in Pest Management Science looks at the use of silver nanoparticles to treat anthracnose disease in chilli plants. Story: www.soci.org/chemistry-an... Paper: scijournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/... #chemsky 🧪

How can the chemical industry build a low carbon future? Creating a more sustainable route to chemicals will require capital investment, innovation in the abatement technologies, and cooperation between industry players according to new report. www.soci.org/news/2025/10... #chemsky 🧪

A new report sets out ten 'transformative' technologies which it says could change the way that the world powers homes, grows food and secures fresh water. The report notes that many of the technologies already exist but remain underused. www.soci.org/news/2025/10... #chemsky 🧪

A research project focused on the conversion of waste into chemicals via a sustainable route has been backed by major chemicals companies. The research, launched by the Global Impact Coalition will see member companies working with scientists from ETH Zürich. www.soci.org/news/2025/10... #chemsky 🧪

Looking at developments in treating bacterial infections the World Health Organization has warned of a crisis of "scarcity and lack of innovation". It found the number of antibacterials in the clinical pipeline fell from 97 in 2023 to 90 as of February 2025. www.soci.org/news/2025/10... chemsky 🧪

Pioneering work on the development of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) has seen three scientists win the 2025 Nobel Prize for Chemistry. Since the original discoveries, chemists have built tens of thousands of different MOFs for many different applications. www.soci.org/news/2025/10... #chemsky 🧪

A team of researchers have used bacteria to break down the molecular building blocks of polystyrene waste - and convert them into useful chemicals. They have been able to use the bacteria Pseudomonas putida to metabolise substrates to yield useful products. www.soci.org/news/2025/10... #chemsky 🧪

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for 2025 has been awarded to three scientists for their “groundbreaking” discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance, which prevents the immune system from harming the body. www.soci.org/news/2025/10... #chemsky 🧪

Researchers have used machine learning to analyse inky footprints left by rats to help identify different species. www.soci.org/chemistry-an... The full research: Discriminating footprints to improve identification of congeneric invasive Rattus species doi.org/10.1002/ps.70052 #chemsky 🧪

Construction work on two major carbon capture projects is set to begin. One sees the construction a carbon capture-enabled facility producing decarbonised cement; the second is the UK’s first full-scale carbon capture plant at an energy-from-waste facility www.soci.org/news/2025/9/... #chemsky 🧪

GSK’s CEO, Emma Walmsley, is stepping down from her role and will be replaced by Luke Miels, who has been appointed CEO designate. Miels will assume full responsibilities as CEO and join the GSK board on 1 January 2026. www.soci.org/news/2025/9/... #chemsky 🧪

Despite the potential benefits of carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) the number of planned projects covers just 6% of what is needed by 2040 to meet global climate targets. A paper by the World Economic Forum points to three barriers to CCU deployment. www.soci.org/news/2025/9/... #chemsky 🧪

Scientific papers, patents and VC deals: The world's top innovation locations revealed. The Shenzhen–Hong Kong–Guangzhou region has been named the world’s top innovation cluster according to a ranking published by the World Intellectual Property Office, WIPO. www.soci.org/news/2025/9/... #chemsky 🧪

Biotechnology company Amgen is investing $600 million in a science and innovation centre at its site in Thousand Oaks, California, US. The centre will accelerate the discovery of new therapeutics for patients with the most serious diseases, the company said. www.soci.org/news/2025/9/... #chemsky 🧪

SCI's next webinar in its long-running SCItalks series is happening next week. The talk is free but you should register in advance. The session looks at how regenerative agriculture seeks to create a more sustainable and resilient farming system. #chemsky 🧪 www.soci.org/news/2025/8/...

A new project seeks to create sustainable bio-based polymers. Shifting to bio-based materials while maintaining the properties found in traditional polymers presents challenges that Synthomer is working with the University of York to overcome. www.soci.org/news/2025/9/... #chemsky 🧪

US biopharmaceuticals company Merck has dropped plans for a £1 billion investment in a major new London life sciences lab, warning that the UK undervalues innovation in medicines and vaccines. www.soci.org/news/2025/9/... #chemsky 🧪

The UK is ‘losing the race’ for investment in R&D, clinical trials, and foreign direct investment, a new report warns. Since 2018, UK pharmaceutical R&D investment has underperformed against international rivals, the report from an pharma industry body said. www.soci.org/news/2025/9/... #chemsky 🧪

The first half of 2025 has been ‘disappointing’ for the European Union’s chemical sector, according to industry group Cefic’s most recent Chemical Trends Report. Weak demand and high energy prices, plus global trade disruptions are all part of the problem. www.soci.org/news/2025/9/... #chemsky 🧪

An over-reliance on metrics such as benefit cost ratio to assess the value of innovative life sciences manufacturing may mean the UK is missing out on strategic investments, according to new research from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. www.soci.org/news/2025/9/... #chemsky 🧪

A new initiative aims to connect start-ups, R&D teams and academics with major chemical companies to drive early-stage innovation around areas such as chemical emissions reduction, circularity, and sustainable feedstocks. www.soci.org/news/2025/9/... #chemsky 🧪

A major carbon capture project just stored its first carbon dioxide. The Northern Lights JV said the first CO₂ volumes have been transported via a 100-kilometre pipeline and injected into the Aurora reservoir, 2,600 meters below the seabed of the North Sea. www.soci.org/news/2025/8/... #chemski 🧪

The European Chemicals Agency has published the updated proposal for the restriction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). It includes a new assessment of eight industry sectors and options beyond a full ban or a ban with time-limited exemptions. 🧪 #chemsky www.soci.org/news/2025/8/...

Founder story: C&I talks to the co-founder of chemistry spinout Lixea about how it discovered a way to turn wood waste into sustainable materials and fuels. The process helps converts waste into high-quality intermediates for chemicals, materials and fuels #chemsky 🧪 www.soci.org/news/2025/8/...

Over 120 million metric tonnes of clothing were discarded last year. About 80% ended up in landfill or incinerated and only 12% of this material was reused. The total value of unrecovered textile waste could be in the region on $150 billion each year. www.soci.org/news/2025/8/... #chemsky 🧪

Canada has the potential to produce around 2.66m t (Mt) of green hydrogen a year by utilising its existing biomass and waste resources, including urban waste, animal byproducts, forestry products and residue and purpose-grown crops, according to a new study. #chemsky 🧪 www.soci.org/chemistry-an...

Bayer has submitted EU registration applications for what it says is the first new mode of action herbicide for post-emergent weed control for broadacre crops in 30 years. Weed resistances have increased in recent years and are a threat to food security. #chemsky 🧪 www.soci.org/news/2025/8/...

The UK can't get financiers to fall in love with its scientists and entrepreneurs, and it’s holding back the growth of the country, according to the chair of a parliamentary committee which has launched an inquiry into the causes. www.soci.org/news/2025/8/... #chemsky 🧪

Which countries are really leading in the innovation race? A new report looks at the innovation performance of European countries and their global competitors. Switzerland is ranked the most innovative European country - while the UK has moved up a group. www.soci.org/news/2025/7/... #chemsky 🧪

The decision by DEFRA to extend UK REACH deadlines with a further consultation has increased concerns about the government’s support for the chemicals sector. UK REACH is the UK's regulatory framework for chemicals, mirroring the EU regulations. www.soci.org/news/2025/7/... #chemsky 🧪

A new carbon capture initiative which will be the largest cement decarbonisation project in the world has taken a big step forward. The Peak Cluster project in the UK will prevent over three million tonnes of CO2 entering the atmosphere every year. www.soci.org/news/2025/7/... #chemsky 🧪

Some species of microbe found in the human gut can absorb PFAS - the potentially toxic ‘forever chemicals,’ according to a new study. The researchers say boosting these species in our gut microbiome could help protect against harmful effects of PFAS. www.soci.org/news/2025/7/... #chemsky 🧪

📢 Register now: Early bird offer ends 24 July! bit.ly/Beakertobulk The event is aimed at anyone with an interest in learning about the scaling up of synthetic processes. Some prior knowledge or experience in synthetic chemistry would aid understanding.

A high-performance laser has enabled scientists to create liquid carbon for the first time. Laser compression can turn solid carbon into liquid for fractions of a second; the challenge was to use these fractions of a second to take measurements. #chemsky 🧪 www.soci.org/chemistry-an...

Worm slime could inspire the next generation of recyclable bioplastics. Velvet worms produce a slime which hardens into strong fibres: these dissolve in water and can be reconstituted but the mechanism behind the reversibility remained unclear - until now. www.soci.org/chemistry-an... #chemsky 🧪

The government now has published its Modern Industrial Strategy which aims to boost investment in the UK. We've read through the 160-page document to have a look at what it means for life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and the chemicals industry. www.soci.org/news/2025/6/... #chemsky 🧪

Brightest minds wanted: how a new talent drive aims to attract top researchers to UK. The initiative will support researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, managerial and engineering talent to relocate and work closely with the UK, the government said. www.soci.org/news/2025/6/... #chemsky 🧪

Major changes are needed to make sure chemistry is sustainable and able to solve some the big challenges facing society, according to the scientists behind the Stockholm Declaration on Chemistry for the Future. C&I spoke to one of them to find out more. #chemsky 🧪 www.soci.org/news/2025/6/...

Few businesses enjoy uncertainty. But once pharma and science-based businesses do start looking at their strategies with a fresh eye, this could create all sorts of new opportunities, say C&I's editor Neil Eisberg. www.soci.org/chemistry-an... #chemsky 🧪

The quest for better crops starts with... the potato🥔 The Advanced Research Invention Agency is has announced funding for projects to develop crops that are more productive, resilient, and sustainable and the work will initially focus on the potato. #chemsky 🧪 www.soci.org/news/2025/6/...

Chemistry’s biggest shortage is people, says C&I's editor Neil Eisberg. The application of science to industry requires workers with technical expertise and hands-on experience, and they are becoming the next major shortage, after raw materials and energy. www.soci.org/chemistry-an... #chemsky 🧪

Professor Liam Ball from the School of Chemistry at the University of Nottingham, UK, was recently named one of the 2025 winners of the Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists, recognising his work with bismuth. Liam spoke to C&I about the work his team is doing #chemsky 🧪 www.soci.org/chemistry-an...

Food waste is a huge problem: over 30% of all food globally – around one billion tonnes per year – is wasted. This figure is higher in the US, where almost 40% of all food is discarded. But now, efforts to upcycle some of this food industry waste are growing. www.soci.org/chemistry-an... #chemsky 🧪

Nano-scale metamaterials could be used to create next gen computer components, support carbon capture and many other uses. Now a new centre will focus on the development of engineered nano-scale metamaterials with support from public and private funding. www.soci.org/news/2025/5/... #chemsky 🧪

🧪The European Commission has said that it is committed to boosting the competitiveness of the chemical sector after holding talks with the industry. The meeting was billed as the first meeting in a 'strategic dialogue' on the future of the chemical industry in Europe. www.soci.org/news/2025/5/...

🧪A £56.8m programme is funding research, including experiments, to see if some potential approaches to cooling the Earth’s climate could be scaleable, feasible – and safe. The aim is to explore climate cooling concepts that could delay or avert climate tipping points. www.soci.org/news/2025/5/...

📢 Register now! bit.ly/39th_ECIS The annual ECIS conference is the flagship event of the European Colloids and Interface Society (ECIS) with support from SCI's Colloid and Surface Chemistry Group and RSC's Colloid & Interface Science Group.

🧪Europe has set out a €500 million package to make it “a magnet” for international researchers. And Europe's universities have their own plans to find the best scientific talent, too. Read the full story to find out more. www.soci.org/news/2025/5/...

🧪An international team of researchers have warned of a serious threat to food security and human health due to the presence of toxic metals in agricultural land. This is linked to both geological processes and centuries of industrial activity, like mining and smelting. www.soci.org/news/2025/4/...