£350m boost for UK chemicals resilience

ICHEME has welcomed the UK government’s £350m Critical Chemicals Resilience Fund, describing it as a significant boost for a sector that underpins everything from energy and pharmaceuticals to food production and advanced manufacturing.

The fund aims to strengthen the resilience of the UK’s chemicals and process industries at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty and continued pressure on global supply chains.

IChemE chief executive Yvonne Baker said the announcement recognised the strategic importance of domestic chemicals production to national resilience, economic stability and industrial capability.

“In an increasingly uncertain world, secure domestic capability in chemicals and process manufacturing is essential to the resilience of supply chains, critical infrastructure and the wider economy,” she said.

Baker highlighted the role of chemical engineers in supporting critical industries, from energy and advanced manufacturing to pharmaceuticals, water and food production.

While welcoming the funding, IChemE said it should be followed by a long-term strategy to support investment, innovation, skills, infrastructure and industrial decarbonisation.

“This announcement is a positive first step,” Baker said. “We look forward to continued engagement with government and industry on the long-term policies, investment and skills needed to secure a competitive, resilient and lower-carbon future for UK process industries.”