https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/ The Chemical Engineer News Feed Sat, 16 May 2026 16:00:09 GMT en https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/south-east-water-chair-and-ceo-resign-following-engineering-failures/ ]]> SOUTH EAST WATER chair Chris Train and CEO David Hinton have resigned following intense criticism over the company’s handling of a string of engineering failures that caused major supply outages affecting more than 300,000 customers since 2020. Tue, 12 May 2026 10:30:02 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47844 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/icheme-matters-may-1019/ ]]> In this month's IChemE Matters, Raffaella Ocone recounts the historical importance of nuclear policy in the world, and we get some excellent feedback around ethics for our feature on Xinjiang from TCE 1,016 Fri, 08 May 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47756 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/joan-cordiner-set-to-serve-as-icheme-president-in-202728-mag/ ]]> Fri, 08 May 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47758 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/gaining-maximum-value-from-your-icheme-membership/ ]]> IChemE Member Engagement Committee member Leonardo Brandao Bernardo e Souza offers a practical guide to making the most of your membership at every stage of your career Fri, 08 May 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47760 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/icheme-connects-with-students-at-study-melbourne-careers-fair-mag/ ]]> Fri, 08 May 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47761 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/world-first-plant-converting-plastic-waste-to-saf-opens-in-uk/ ]]> A PILOT plant converting waste plastic into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) has opened in Kent, UK, and is claimed to be the first of its kind in the world. Tue, 05 May 2026 14:34:22 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47730 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/lab-grown-chocolate-could-be-supermarket-ready-by-2027/ ]]> CHOCOLATE could soon be produced using lab-grown ingredients, including cocoa butter, according to a Mondelez-backed foodtech company. Tue, 05 May 2026 12:05:42 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47725 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/un-satellite-programme-curbs-more-than-40-methane-super-emitters-since-2023/ ]]> A SATELLITE-BASED monitoring system run by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has helped stop 41 methane “super-emitters” since launching in 2023. Tue, 05 May 2026 11:27:23 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47723 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/johnson-matthey-to-supply-biomethanol-technology-for-china-plant/ ]]> ENGINEERING firm Johnson Matthey has partnered with Chinese green energy developer Guangdong Liquid Sunshine to build a biomethanol plant in Tiandong County, Guangxi. Fri, 01 May 2026 16:06:06 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47722 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/shell-buys-canadian-shale-producer-for-us-164bn/ ]]> ENERGY giant Shell is expanding its oil and gas operations in Canada’s Montney shale basin with the US$16.4bn purchase of Canadian shale producer ARC Resources. Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:03:41 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47721 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/icheme-president-raffaella-ocone-awarded-honorary-doctorate-by-surrey/ ]]> IChemE president Raffaella Ocone has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Surrey, in recognition of her contributions to chemical engineering and academia. Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:27:46 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47718 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/europe-s-first-nylon-biorecycling-plant-to-open-in-uk/ ]]> A DEMONSTRATION plant capable of recycling “hundreds of tonnes” of post-consumer nylon is set to open in the UK. Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:44:40 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47717 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/finnish-cleantech-launch-green-fertiliser-pilot/ ]]> A FINNISH cleantech company specialising in nutrient recovery from waste streams has launched a pilot plant at a biogas site in Saxony, Germany. Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:32:18 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47715 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/piper-bravo-remains-in-shutdown-as-operator-receives-third-warning-over-emergency-valve-failures/ ]]> PRODUCTION remains suspended at the Piper Bravo platform in the North Sea due to an emergency valve failure in January, prompting operator Neo Next to receive its third warning in less than a year over the issue. Mon, 27 Apr 2026 15:53:15 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47714 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/german-drugmaker-launches-ai-research-centre-in-london/ ]]> GLOBAL pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim is establishing its flagship AI and machine learning research centre in London. Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:28:54 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47713 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/solar-curbs-fossil-fuel-reliance-on-global-electricity-demand/ ]]> CLEAN POWER met all new global electricity demand in 2025, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, according to a report from Ember. Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:03:56 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47710 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/evonik-expands-biotechnology-capabilities-in-slovakia/ ]]> GERMAN chemical giant Evonik is investing €80m (US$94m) to expand its biotechnology capabilities at its Fermas site in Slovakia. Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:17:55 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47705 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/enquest-fined-record-165m-for-actively-delaying-north-sea-decommissioning/ ]]> UK OIL and gas operator EnQuest has been fined a record £16.5m (US$22.3m) by the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) for “actively” failing to plug and abandon 33 disused wells. Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:54:02 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47703 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/uk-gas-field-to-be-used-to-mine-bitcoin/ ]]> THE UK’s largest onshore gas field could be used to mine bitcoin and power data centres in a move proponents say is “crucial” for the economy but critics argue undermines energy priorities. Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:42:40 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47702 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/gsk-acquires-canadian-pulmonary-hypertension-drug-developer-for-nearly-us-1bn/ ]]> BRITISH pharmaceutical giant GSK has acquired Canada-based biotech firm 35Pharma, a developer of pulmonary hypertension (PH) treatments, in a deal worth up to US$950m. Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:18:18 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47701 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/solar-powered-airship-reaches-new-heights/ ]]> AN AIRSHIP running solely on solar power flew over Brazil for more than 88 hours, marking a “defining step” for the technology Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:07:06 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47700 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/hydrogen-innovation-and-technology-conference-to-advance-real-world-hydrogen-implementation/ ]]> IChemE will host a major international hydrogen conference in Manchester this October, focusing on overcoming the practical barriers to large-scale deployment. Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:43:15 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47697 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/renault-to-slash-20-of-engineering-jobs/ ]]> FRENCH carmaker Renault is set up to cut up to 2,400 engineering jobs globally as it restructures to remain competitive against rapidly advancing Chinese manufacturers. Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:01:19 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47695 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/india-aims-to-cut-steel-emissions-by-a-quarter-over-next-decade/ ]]> STEELMAKING in India is set for a major shift, with the government pledging to reduce emissions by a quarter over the next decade under a new national strategy. Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:09:03 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47690 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/no-injuries-following-second-fire-in-two-months-at-mexico-s-newest-refinery/ ]]> MEXICAN state oil company Petróleos Mexicano (PEMEX) has said its Olmeca Refinery continues to operate safely following a fire last week – the second blaze at the facility since March. Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:57:17 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47689 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/researchers-tackle-fatty-problem-in-vegan-cheese/ ]]> VEGANS and curious consumers alike may soon find a plant-based cheese that comes closer to the real thing thanks to researchers at Heriot-Watt University Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:19:41 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47688 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/port-talbot-receives-64m-boost-for-floating-offshore-wind/ ]]> PORT TALBOT is set to become a hub for floating offshore wind (FLOW) after securing £64m (US$86m) from the UK government for a “transformational” green energy plan. Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:36:53 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47686 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/ithaca-resubmits-plans-for-uk-s-second-largest-undeveloped-oil-field/ ]]> PLANS for the controversial Cambo offshore oil field in the UK have been resubmitted, as Ithaca Energy seeks approval to develop one of the largest remaining hydrocarbon resources on the UK Continental Shelf. Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:10:53 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47684 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/mit-researchers-develop-ai-tool-to-monitor-material-defects/ ]]> RESEARCHERS at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed an AI-based tool to help identify and measure atomic-scale defects in materials used in products such as steel and semiconductors. Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:53:31 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47679 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/icheme-connects-with-students-at-study-melbourne-careers-fair/ ]]> IChemE engaged with more than 1,300 international students at the Study Melbourne International Student Careers Fair, held at State Library Victoria in March. Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:25:47 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47678 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/fungal-protein-shows-promise-for-ice-control-in-frozen-foods/ ]]> RESEARCHERS in the US and Germany have identified a fungal protein that could be used to control ice formation in frozen foods by triggering crystallisation at relatively high subzero temperatures. Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:04:24 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47675 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/icheme-matters-april-1018/ ]]> In IChemE Matters 1018 the President talks about innovating silo design and education of ethics, and our team recap the highlights from DiscoverChemEngLIVE in South Wales. Thu, 02 Apr 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47578 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/inspiring-future-engineers-in-wales-mag/ ]]> Thu, 02 Apr 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47588 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/share-your-insights-and-expertise-at-the-2026-hydrogen-innovation-and-technology-conference-mag/ ]]> Thu, 02 Apr 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47589 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/register-for-presidential-address-mag/ ]]> Thu, 02 Apr 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47590 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/rosebank-and-jackdaw-developer-told-to-further-revise-emissions-estimates-before-approval-decision/ ]]> THE DEVELOPER of the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas projects has been instructed to make further revisions to its environmental assessments after regulators reviewed their most recent submissions. Tue, 31 Mar 2026 10:13:30 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47551 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/uk-s-largest-plastic-recycling-centre-to-open-in-colby/ ]]> A MAJOR new plastic recycling facility designed to handle large-scale waste streams in the food and retail sector is set to open in Corby, Northamptonshire. Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:33:12 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47550 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/uk-backs-temporary-restart-of-bioethanol-plant-amid-co2-shortages/ ]]> THE UK government will fund a temporary restart of a bioethanol plant on Teesside to ease CO2 shortages triggered by the conflict in the Middle East. Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:53:56 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47549 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/uk-energy-leaders-back-continued-north-sea-gas-production/ ]]> UK ENERGY leaders have called for continued North Sea gas production, arguing it remains essential to energy security despite the country’s push towards renewables. Mon, 30 Mar 2026 14:48:27 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47548 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/cheltenham-schoolboys-win-davidson-inventors-challenge-with-water-treatment-tool/ ]]> A TEAM of five students from Cheltenham won the final of the Davidson Inventors Challenge after developing a low-cost water treatment device aimed at improving access to clean drinking water. Fri, 27 Mar 2026 17:39:57 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47547 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/icheme-launches-presidential-inquiry-into-uk-chemical-engineering-research/ ]]> IChemE has launched a major presidential inquiry into the state of chemical engineering research in the UK, calling for evidence from across academia, industry and government. Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:18:19 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47545 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/conference-to-highlight-chemical-engineering-s-role-in-medicine-mag/ ]]> Thu, 26 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47583 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/adjiman-and-seville-among-icheme-medal-winners-mag/ ]]> Thu, 26 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47584 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/journal-seeks-papers-on-ai-and-digitalisation-in-chemeng-education-mag/ ]]> Thu, 26 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47585 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/spring-statement-prompts-icheme-call-for-stable-industrial-policy-mag/ ]]> Thu, 26 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47586 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/totalenergies-drops-us-offshore-wind-for-us-1bn-gas-deal/ ]]> FRENCH energy giant TotalEnergies will no longer pursue offshore wind projects in the US after securing a US$1bn deal with the government to focus on gas development. Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:41:03 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47543 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/bp-to-sell-german-refinery-in-bid-to-save-us-1bn/ ]]> BRITISH oil and gas giant bp has agreed to sell its Gelsenkirchen refinery in Germany to independent refiner Klesch Group as part of plans to reduce structural costs by US$1bn. Tue, 24 Mar 2026 09:18:54 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47542 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/syngenta-announces-us-130m-expansion-to-uk-agricultural-research-centre/ ]]> SWISS agrochemicals company Syngenta has announced plans to invest US$130m in a new agricultural bioscience centre at its existing research and development (R&D) hub in Bracknell, UK. Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:30:48 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47537 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/seville-awarded-davidson-medal-for-lifelong-commitment-to-chemeng-mentoring/ ]]> FORMER IChemE president Jonathan Seville has been awarded the 2026 Davidson medal for his “lifelong commitment to excellence in mentoring”. Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:13:46 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47535 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/turkmenistan-remains-hotspot-for-methane-emissions-according-to-satellite-data/ ]]> GLOBAL methane emissions from the oil and gas sector remain dominated by plumes from Turkmenistan, according to satellite measurements analysed by researchers in California. Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:35:57 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47534