https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/ The Chemical Engineer News Feed Tue, 08 Sep 2026 10:17:18 GMT en https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/ai-identifies-800-plant-proteins-to-replace-synthetic-emulsifiers/ ]]> AN AI model was able to identify nearly 800 plant proteins that could be used to replace synthetic emulsifiers in food and pharmaceuticals, according to a study from the University of Leeds. Tue, 08 Sep 2026 09:49:11 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48248 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/kenyan-president-orders-tata-chemicals-out-of-the-country/ ]]> TATA CHEMICALS, the chemical manufacturing subsidiary of Tata Group, has failed to benefit Kenya after more than two decades of operating in the country, according to the President William Ruto. Fri, 04 Sep 2026 12:58:50 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48246 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/canada-plugs-major-source-of-methane-emissions-from-oil-and-gas-field-leak/ ]]> A “MAJOR SOURCE” of methane emissions leaking from an oil and gas field in Alberta, Canada has been plugged according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Fri, 04 Sep 2026 12:52:35 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48245 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/mit-spinout-to-expand-pathogen-fighting-microbe-solution-for-crops/ ]]> ROBIGO, a biotech spanout from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has secured more than a quarter-of-a-million dollars to ramp up the trials for its microbe solution for the agriculture industry. Fri, 04 Sep 2026 12:26:03 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48244 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/bp-appoints-new-chair-in-continued-restructure/ ]]> Energy giant BP has found a new chair in ex Balfour Beatty boss Ian Tyler following the dismissal of Albert Manifold in May. Thu, 03 Sep 2026 09:33:22 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48236 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/lotus-plant-inspires-development-of-ice-and-water-repellent-coatings/ ]]> A coating material for airplanes, wind turbines and powerlines has been developed using the same mechanics observed in the humble lotus plant. Wed, 02 Sep 2026 16:47:10 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48234 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/new-whitepaper-the-fascinating-world-of-powder-dispersion-sponsored/ ]]> The world of powder dispersion is far more complex than many users realise. Different methods have very specific strengths depending on the process requirements. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 10:53:08 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48233 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/uk-sourced-plasma-approved-for-medicine-manufacture-27-years-after-bse-crisis-prompted-ban/ ]]> PLASMA sourced from UK blood donations has been approved for use in manufacture of five medicines, 27 years after the “mad cow disease” outbreak prompted its ban. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 18:09:31 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48230 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/student-researchers-create-tasty-cookies-from-plastic-waste/ ]]> COOKIES could be made tastier using flavourings derived from plastic waste and biomass, a group of young scientists has said following a research project in Illinois, US. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 12:31:54 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48228 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/biomaterial-that-could-replace-pfas-coatings-wins-rsc-award/ ]]> A LONDON-BASED company developing biobased alternatives to harmful PFAS chemicals has won in the environment category of the Emerging Technology competition run by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). Thu, 27 Aug 2026 12:02:26 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48227 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/eni-to-bring-its-fusion-power-to-europe-by-2040s/ ]]> INTERNATIONAL energy firm Eni says it plans to open a commercial fusion plant in Europe by the 2040s as part of its long-time partnership with US private fusion company Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS). Thu, 27 Aug 2026 10:52:42 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48224 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/hitachi-uses-ai-to-develop-optimal-battery-coating-process/ ]]> ELECTRONICS manufacturing firm Hitachi High-Tech, a subsidiary of Hitachi Global, has developed an AI-driven process to coat all-solid-state batteries, which are crucial components for smartphones and computers. Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:35:44 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48222 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/exclusive-shell-advised-to-change-unsuitable-north-sea-platform-design-over-six-years-before-hydrocarbon-release/ ]]> SHELL was warned about a design flaw in its new Penguins oil platform in the UK North Sea several years before a hydrocarbon release last year, TCE can reveal. Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48220 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/scottish-government-to-award-10-000-in-funding-to-scale-up-biomanufacturing-projects-at-300-l-fermenter/ ]]> THE SCOTTISH government has allocated funding that could award biobased manufacturing startups £10,000 to scale their technology at a 300 L fermenter in Edinburgh. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 12:54:55 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48218 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/uk-suspension-lifted-for-organ-transplant-fluids-three-years-after-contamination-reports/ ]]> TWO MEDICAL transplant devices have returned to UK clinics following more than three years of suspension prompted by reports of contamination in fluids used to preserve organs. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 12:39:28 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48217 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/microplastics-found-to-increase-uptake-of-pfas-in-vegetables/ ]]> THE level of PFAS (Polyfluorinated alkyl substances) adsorption in vegetables could be impacted by another contaminant permeating through our soil and farmland, according to a recent study from researchers in China. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 12:03:34 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48215 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/piper-bravo-oil-spill-could-have-been-catastrophic-regulator-says/ ]]> AN OIL spill at the Piper Bravo platform in the UK North Sea in February could have been “catastrophic”, according to the latest data provided by the UK safety regulator. Thu, 20 Aug 2026 17:35:15 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48214 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/bhp-reports-record-copper-sales-while-best-years-still-to-come-for-coking-coal/ ]]> AUSTRALIAN mining behemoth BHP saw record sales in its copper business last year, according to annual results published this week. Meanwhile, the company’s new CEO believes “the best years” for coking coal “are potentially still ahead”. Thu, 20 Aug 2026 17:23:39 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48213 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/chinese-tio2-manufacturer-restarts-production-at-uk-plant-amid-dumping-investigation/ ]]> TITANIUM DIOXIDE (TiO2) production has restarted at a plant in Teesside following a Chinese company’s acquisition of the site last year, while the UK government continues its investigation into TiO2 dumping from China. Thu, 20 Aug 2026 17:01:32 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48212 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/russian-scientists-make-new-critical-mineral-discovery/ ]]> A RARE-EARTH rich mineral has been discovered by a team of Russian scientists in Kola Peninsula in Russia, emboldening the country’s critical mineral growth efforts. Fri, 14 Aug 2026 12:42:23 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48206 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/romania-starts-shutting-down-sole-nuclear-power-station-over-drought/ ]]> EXTREME WEATHER has sent the European energy sector into uncertainty, with Romania beginning to shut down its only nuclear power station due to drought. Fri, 14 Aug 2026 12:05:51 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48205 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/london-based-startup-looks-to-recover-valuable-chemicals-from-wastewater/ ]]> METAL MORPH, an innovative startup based in London, is looking to make the utilities industry more circular through the recovery of aluminium and valuable chemicals from wastestreams. Fri, 14 Aug 2026 11:00:39 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48204 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/drones-identify-methane-emissions-in-uk-landfills/ ]]> THE UK’s Environment Agency has trialled drones in detecting and identifying methane emissions in landfills, a practice currently undertaken by humans. Fri, 14 Aug 2026 10:58:08 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48202 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/north-sea-operators-not-moving-fast-enough-with-well-decommissioning/ ]]> DESPITE a record number of well decommissions in the North Sea in 2025, “activity needs to increase,” according to the industry regulator. Fri, 14 Aug 2026 07:23:51 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48198 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/chocolate-bar-created-with-100-british-ingredients/ ]]> BERKSHIRE-GROWN cocoa beans have been used at the University of Reading to make a 100% British chocolate bar, a product not seen since 1932. Fri, 14 Aug 2026 07:14:50 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48197 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/trump-spends-us-4bn-on-offshore-wind-buybacks/ ]]> The US government has paid out US$1.2bn to German energy company RWE to give up its wind power projects in the country, taking the adminstration’s total offshore wind buyouts to nearly US$4bn. It is part of the administration’s continued efforts to divest from offshore wind. Fri, 07 Aug 2026 12:51:58 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48192 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/bath-researchers-develop-energy-efficient-membrane-for-solvent-purification/ ]]> A TEAM of researchers from the University of Bath and an international research group KU Leuven, have developed a membrane to drive out water for the development of industrial solvents. Fri, 07 Aug 2026 12:45:49 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48191 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/biotech-partners-with-heriot-watt-to-turn-whey-into-fuel/ ]]> WHEY from cheese can be converted into bioethanol for fuelling cars thanks to the work of biotech firm Take Root Bio and Heriot-Watt University. Fri, 07 Aug 2026 11:28:08 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48190 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/stanford-researchers-fight-viruses-with-ai/ ]]> A CHEMICAL engineer and a bioengineering graduate student from Stanford University have developed a generative AI model that can develop new viruses to kill bacteria and fight against antibiotic resistance. Fri, 07 Aug 2026 11:21:49 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48188 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/nylon-recycling-startup-acquires-production-facility-in-spain/ ]]> LONDON-BASED biorecycling firm Epoch BioDesign has bought a “mothballed” polymerisation plant in Blanes, Spain, to take its technology to commercial scale. Fri, 07 Aug 2026 11:16:12 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48187 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/bp-q2-profits-surge-amid-sell-offs/ ]]> OIL AND GAS giant BP has reported a Q2 profit of US$5.7bn, the highest quarterly profit for the company since 2022. Fri, 07 Aug 2026 08:12:07 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48186 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/fusion-industry-attracts-record-us-45bn-in-race-to-commercial-scale/ ]]> A RECORD US$4.5bn in funding flooded into the global fusion industry this year, benefiting private and public firms alike. Fri, 31 Jul 2026 12:27:02 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48180 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/bp-puts-north-sea-oil-and-gas-business-up-for-sale/ ]]> AFTER six decades of operation, bp has made the historic move to sell its oil and gas business in the UK – giving up all production assets in its home country. Fri, 31 Jul 2026 12:23:55 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48179 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/johnson-johnson-to-pay-out-us-55bn-in-talc-cancer-case/ ]]> PHARMACEUTICAL giant Johnson& Johnson (J&J) has committed to pay out US$5.5bn to thousands of plaintiffs that have alleged the company’s baby talcum powder products cause ovarian cancer. Fri, 31 Jul 2026 07:05:33 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48175 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/engineers-deploy-first-of-its-kind-electrified-heating-system-for-cement-works/ ]]> LOW-CARBON technology firm CoolBrook and partners ABB will deploy electrified industrial heating technology to a cement works in Andhra Pradesh, India. Fri, 31 Jul 2026 06:54:16 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48173 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/lancashire-chemicals-plant-linked-to-pfas-contamination-announces-closure/ ]]> A CHEMICALS manufacturing plant based in Lancashire is to shut down amid a damning investigation into its historic emissions of “forever chemicals”, or PFAS. Mon, 27 Jul 2026 12:02:02 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48171 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/icheme-matters-julyaugust-2026/ ]]> In this issue we welcome new IChemE president Ollie Folayan and Head of Policy and Mitchell Clark shares a few notes from IChemE's ChemEngConnect virtual conference Thu, 23 Jul 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48085 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/folayan-asks-who-is-coming-next-and-are-we-doing-enough/ ]]> New IChemE president sets out agenda on skills, diversity and public engagement Thu, 23 Jul 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48088 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/employer-partners-listening-to-the-next-generation-mag/ ]]> At IChemE, we spend a lot of time planning Employer Partner meetings around the workforce challenges facing our profession. Skills shortages, graduate readiness, recruitment and retention are all familiar topics. This time, however, we tried something different. Thu, 23 Jul 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48091 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/350m-boost-for-uk-chemicals-resilience-mag/ ]]> 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. Thu, 23 Jul 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48094 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/icheme-s-spring-conferring-ceremonies-celebrate-professional-achievement/ ]]> IChemE’s recent spring conferring ceremonies across the UK brought together members, volunteers and award winners to celebrate achievement and contribution to the profession. Thu, 23 Jul 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48096 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/burnham-promises-to-reindustrialise-britain-amid-speculation-about-oil-and-gas-policy/ ]]> ANDY BURNHAM has pledged to begin “reindustrialising Britain” in his first speech as UK prime minister, while speculation grows over his oil and gas policy. Tue, 21 Jul 2026 10:02:11 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48058 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/british-steel-is-now-owned-by-the-public/ ]]> THE UK’s largest primary steel producer, British Steel, has been brought under public ownership by the government in its effort to “protect the UK’s national interest”. Thu, 16 Jul 2026 16:47:02 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48056 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/uk-government-shies-away-from-pfas-ban/ ]]> There will be no hard restrictions on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in UK manufacturing and trade despite parliamentary pleas that protective measures are moving “too slow”. Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:44:07 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48055 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/jackdaw-in-line-with-net-zero-developer-claims-while-questions-remain-over-emissions-intensity/ ]]> NORTH SEA oil and gas major Adura has said its plans to produce gas at the controversial Jackdaw field are “fully in line” with measures to achieve net zero. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 12:55:10 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48054 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/google-and-rwe-invest-in-fusion-project-in-europe/ ]]> COMMERCIAL fusion energy in Europe has made one large leap in financial confidence after Proxima Fusion secured €411m (US$470m) in a funding round, with Google and energy firm RWE as strategic investors. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 12:23:03 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48053 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/canada-looks-to-become-energy-superpower-as-plans-submitted-for-1m-bbld-pipeline/ ]]> CANADIAN prime minister Mark Carney has pledged to make Canada an “energy superpower” as plans to build a new oil pipeline between Alberta and the British Columbian coast were submitted last week. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 12:10:22 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48052 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/sizewell-b-operations-extended-for-another-20-years/ ]]> EDF-owned power station Sizewell B is set to run for two decades more than its expected end-of-life date as part of the UK’s efforts to keep energy prices low. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 11:53:20 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48050 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/researchers-develop-self-powered-floating-water-purification-capsule/ ]]> A SMALL, self-powered water purification system has been developed by a team of international researchers as an affordable and portable solution for drinking water access. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 11:48:39 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48049 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/private-consortium-commits-35bn-to-uk-smr-rollout/ ]]> A POLISH billionaire is leading a consortium of private investors that plans on building 14 small modular reactors (SMRs) across the UK in a project worth £35bn (US$47bn). Fri, 03 Jul 2026 12:58:38 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/48039