Predictive tech Part 1: Chemical Engineering and Sustainability

The Profession
28th August 2025

Article by Fernando Bautista-Parra

Fernando Bautista-Parra, CTO of LevertonHELM, outlines the key trends that could define the next decade for those studying chemical engineering or in the earliest stages of their career

Quick read

Sustainability is essential: Chemical engineers must reduce emissions, minimise waste and conserve resources, with skills in green chemistry and life cycle assessment in high demand
Innovation is transforming processes: Technologies like membrane separation, direct lithium extraction and carbon capture are reshaping the industry, requiring adaptability
Lifelong learning and collaboration are vital: Success depends on staying current with new tools and trends and working across disciplines like IT and environmental science

I’VE SEEN firsthand how innovation has transformed the pharmaceutical and lithium sectors – and the next decade is going to be even more revolutionary.

If you’re studying chemical engineering or just entering the industry, you’re stepping into a field shaped by growing demands for sustainability, tighter regulations and rapidly advancing technologies.

The traditional approaches are being improved or replaced and your ability to thrive in a changing world hinges on your ability to stay adaptable and be open to learning and embracing innovation.

Sustainability: It’s not a catchword anymore

Sustainability has become an important requirement in the chemical industry. Previously, the emphasis was on process optimisation that resulted in high output and the desired quality profile of the final product. However, companies today also need to consider the sustainability of the process. Keeping that in perspective, one important factor to consider is the carbon footprint and, wherever possible, the methodology to reduce it. Additionally, we must minimise waste and re-evaluate our entire approach to resource use, particularly water. And all of this is mostly the duty of chemical engineers.

Some interesting aspects within sustainability influencing chemical engineering are:

Green chemistry: Developing cleaner, safer chemical processes with fewer hazardous byproducts
Recycling and circular economy: Developing closed-loop systems where materials get cycled back instead of wasted
Water conservation: Optimisation of filtration and purific-ation technology in a bid to reduce industrial water wastage
Carbon capture: Implementing processes where CO2 is captured and recycled back into the industrial process

In summary, if you’re looking to progress in your industry, sustainability knowledge will be invaluable. Engineers who understand carbon reduction, waste minimisation and renewable feedstocks will be in high demand. You should therefore start developing your skills in these areas, since demand for engineers with a focus on sustainability will continue to grow.