IChemE welcomes Critical Chemicals Resilience Fund

The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) has welcomed the government’s announcement of a new £350 million Critical Chemicals Resilience Fund as an important recognition of the strategic role played by the UK chemicals sector in supporting national resilience, industrial capability and economic security.

At a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty and continued volatility in global supply chains and energy markets, maintaining secure and sustainable domestic chemicals production is increasingly important to the UK’s long-term resilience and competitiveness.

Chemical engineers play a central role across the chemicals and process industries, supporting the safe and efficient production of materials and products that underpin critical national infrastructure, including energy, water, pharmaceuticals, food production, advanced manufacturing and defence.

The Fund represents a positive step towards strengthening sovereign industrial capability and recognising the importance of chemicals manufacturing to the UK economy and wider national interests.

IChemE believes the announcement should now be followed by a long-term strategy to support investment, innovation, skills, infrastructure and industrial decarbonisation across the chemicals and process sectors.

Yvonne Baker, Chief Executive of IChemE, said: “The announcement of a Critical Chemicals Resilience Fund is an important and welcome recognition of the strategic importance of the UK chemicals sector and the critical role it plays in supporting 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.

“Chemical engineers are central to delivering the innovation, safety, sustainability and technical expertise needed across these industries — from energy and advanced manufacturing to pharmaceuticals, water and food production.

“This announcement is a positive first step, and 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.”

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.

 

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