IChemE Matters – February 2025

No half measures

Mark Apsey, IChemE president

2025 is halfway through a decade which – by common consent - requires urgent action if we are to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Progress so far is slow. The World Meteorological Organization has said 2024 was the hottest year on record and the recent tragic wildfires in California are a stark reminder of the real consequences for people and livelihoods if we fail to act quickly. Yet we must remain optimistic and keep in mind that chemical engineers are uniquely placed to find technical solutions across industrial sectors and inform policy that enables positive action. We can make a difference. And I believe we are.

In December, I chaired a roundtable event at the House of Commons hosted by IChemE member and MP Chris McDonald. We brought together leading chemical engineers and representatives from academia, consulting, and other expert institutions for a discussion covering the role of chemical and process engineers in driving progress, the workforce challenges in this area, and the importance of cheap, clean energy to British industry.

I know members are determined that IChemE engage with policymakers and other influencers in an effort to inform effective policy related to industry and STEM. We are committed to this. In January, we are convening an expert group to discuss cybersecurity and another in February on chemical defossilisation (see Policy Corner). We are also planning a joint get-together of the presidents and CEOs of professional engineering institutions to enhance collaboration.

January marks the halfway point of my presidential year. I’m encouraged by the significant progress we’ve made in that time with our DiscoverChemEng campaign, launch of our virtual work experience platform, increased member benefits and much more. Volunteering is very rewarding and I’d urge others to put themselves forward to help shape IChemE and the profession. Nominations for vacancies on the Board of Trustees and Congress will open on 11 February. Please look out for an email on how you can participate.

I always welcome any feedback, and value any input or ideas – you can contact me at president@icheme.org


Digging deeper

Duncan Lugton, head of policy and impact

DESPITE the dark British winter, I’m starting 2025 with a good deal of positivity and am looking forward to the policy work we have planned for the year.

One area I’m particularly excited about is thinking more about the chemicals industry. In so many of the policy conversations last year, a key theme was the fundamental strategic importance of this industry in underpinning a wide range of economic activity as well as being a crucial enabler for the UK government’s missions such as growth and clean energy.

This theme came up at a number of our roundtables, in our submission to the government’s consultation on its industrial strategy, and it has also cropped up in a number of external reports we’ve been reading and events we’ve been attending.

To understand this topic better, the IChemE policy team will be doing some work to dig deeper into the topic of defossilising the chemicals industry, as this lies at a crucial intersection between the government’s growth and net zero aspirations.

We want to better understand the specific technologies, equipment, and infrastructure needed for defossilisation, what the cost implications are, and how these vary depending on factors such as the size and location of the plant. We also want to develop our insight into the different kinds of pathways that can be used to transition the sector to defossilised feedstocks.

I’m also looking forward to our first roundtable of the new year on cybersecurity. At our roundtable on battery energy storage systems, one point that stuck with me was the idea that it’s the digital side of a plant or installation that might be the most vulnerable to attack or failure. It’s a new topic to me, and I’m excited to develop a distinctive chemical engineering take on this critical subject.

For more on our work: www.icheme.org/policy

Don’t miss out on your chance to nominate in IChemE elections

ICHEME members have until 4 March to make their nominations for the Board of Trustees and Congress.

Roles open for nominations to the board include deputy president, treasurer, vice-president (qualifications), and the UK seat for regional/ordinary member. Twenty-three seats are available on Congress across various geographical and membership colleges. Eligible members will be sent an email on 11 February via IChemE’s electoral services provider Mi-Voice with details and a link to make their nominations.

Last issue, IChemE deputy president Raffaella Ocone called for as many members as possible to consider standing and playing their part in the future of the institution (p22 TCE 1002/1003).

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