ChemEngConnect 2026 unites global expertise to tackle chemical engineering’s biggest challenges
3rd July 2026
IChemE’s first global ChemEngConnect virtual conference wrapped up a powerful two‑week programme of technical learning, professional development and thought leadership, drawing nearly 2,000 registrations from 85 countries.
Across 30 sessions and 24+ hours of content, 54 speakers from industry and academia explored the sector’s most pressing issues — from energy resilience and decarbonisation to process safety, food and drink, water, and the growing influence of AI, ethics and policy on engineering practice.
Highlights included a forward‑looking policy panel examining resilient supply chains, energy storage, and the need for consistent long‑term policy to drive investment. A dedicated AI session showcased efficiency, sustainability and innovation opportunities, while an ethics panel tackled the evolving responsibilities of engineers navigating rapid technological change, sustainability pressures and diversity and inclusion.
Delegates also gained early insight into IChemE’s upcoming Risk-Based Process Safety (RBPS) – Leadership and Culture training, alongside practical guidance on professional registration, mentorship and competency development. Early-career and Fellow-led sessions added further depth on career progression and the IChemE membership journey.
Strong engagement throughout — including hybrid sessions enabling in‑person networking — underscored the event’s global impact.
IChemE Chief Executive Yvonne Baker said: “The diversity of topics and global reach of ChemEngConnect demonstrate the strength and breadth of our community. The programme delivered valuable insight into current developments, global challenges and the innovations shaping chemical engineering’s future.”
Marco Fiorani of Genesis added: “The sessions were well‑structured, and demonstrated a high level of technical standards. The overall organisation, the content quality, and the expertise of speakers were aligned with current engineering challenges and best practices.”
Session recordings will soon be available to IChemE members via the ChemEngConnect website. Join IChemE to access the recordings.
Links
ChemEngConnect Global Virtual Conference
What is chemical engineering?
Chemical, biochemical and process engineering is the application of science, mathematics and economics in the process of turning raw materials into everyday, and more specialist, products. Professional chemical engineers design, construct and manage process operations all over the world. Energy, pharmaceuticals, food and drink, synthetic fibres and clean drinking water are just some of the industry sectors and products where chemical engineering plays a central role.
IChemE
The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) advances chemical engineering's contribution for the benefit of society. We facilitate the development of chemical engineering professionals and provide connections to a powerful network of around 32,000 members in more than 100 countries.
We support our members in applying their expertise and experience to make an influential contribution to solving major global challenges, and are the only organisation permitted to award Chartered Chemical Engineer status and Professional Process Safety Engineer registration.