Chemistry

By 2050 our industry will have embraced a circular economy and be using different feedstocks, technologies and energy sources to produce chemicals. The Innovate UK KTN Chemistry team can help you navigate these changes and identify innovation that will ensure your business, research or service remains sustainable.

Innovate UK KTN works with all sectors that use chemicals or chemistry in their business. These include:

  • UK Chemical Manufacturers
  • “Chemistry-using” Sectors – where chemistry is critical to the business, e.g. Pharmaceuticals, Home & Personal Care, Agrochemicals, Fuels and Energy
  • Innovative companies (particularly SMEs and start-ups) and leading academics developing technologies and solutions for a Net Zero future

Innovate UK KTN uses sector knowledge to help businesses innovate through providing access to connections and collaborations as well as expertise and funding.

We can also help with innovation related to:

  • Synthesis and catalysis. Materials chemistry, including formulated products, polymers and composites
  • Digitalisation of manufacturing and R&D operations – for increased productivity
  • Exploitation of Industrial Biotechnology and Engineering Biology (often called Synthetic Biology) for improved products and low carbon processes.

Follow us on Twitter: @KTN_Chemistry

Our current focus in this area

Innovate UK KTN recognises that this sector is heavily reliant on laboratory-based R&D, as well as computational techniques for modelling the behaviour of atoms, molecules and colloids across multiple length and time scales.

Connecting the UK’s growing Chemicals community with industrial collaborators, research-base expertise, investment opportunities and funders.

For chemical-based industries to respond to global challenges, we need to improve productivity and maintain the competitiveness of our manufacturing processes.

As the world moves towards a greener future, we are changing the demand profile on certain raw materials. At the same, world population rises, resulting in an ever-increasing demand for energy and products which puts gradual pressure on raw materials (and their supply chains), contributing to the generation of more and more waste.

Related Opportunities

European Commission Plastics Related Funding & tender opportunities

Opens: 01/03/2023 Closes: 22/02/2024

Horizon Europe funding for reducing plastic pollution, pollutant monitoring, circular economy, and biodegradation validation. Various closing dates.

More Information

Rapidly find innovative solutions to tangible materials and manufacturing challenges

Opens: 24/08/2023 Closes: 30/09/2023

Innovate UK is now inviting expressions of interest from those looking to rapidly find innovative solutions to tangible materials and manufacturing challenges.

More Information

SSPP: Liquid food and beverages in refillable packaging

Opens: 18/09/2023 Closes: 25/10/2023

Up to £1.5m available to demonstrate a reuse or refill packaging system for liquid food and beverage products, at scale, in a retail chain.

More Information

Related Events and Recordings

Thu
14
Sep
2023

Net Zero Chemical Manufacturing - Unlocking the power of biotechnology to transform the UK chemicals industry webinar

10.00 - 12.30 | Online

Watch now
Thu
15
Dec
2022

Industrial Applications of Biomass: The Biorefinery Concept – creating high value product streams from biomass

10.00 - 12.00 | Online

Watch now
Tue
20
Jun
2023

DCLM (Veolia) Open Innovation Challenges Information Session

09.00 - 10.30 BST | Online

Watch now
See all events

Our Experts

Related News

HydroGenerally - Episode 10: Green Hydrogen Production

01/02/2023

HydroGenerally - Episode 10: Green Hydrogen Production

Our podcast discusses the importance of green hydrogen production and the expertise of energy specialists that are working in this sector. Innovate UK KTN’s Debra Jones and Simon Buckley are joined by special guest Chris Jackson, CEO & Founder at Protium.

Read more
Announcing the Cohort for the Faraday Battery Challenge Investment Readiness Programme 2023

18/05/2023

Announcing the Cohort for the Faraday Battery Challenge Investment Readiness Programme 2023

Running for the third consecutive year, the Faraday Battery Challenge Investment Readiness Programme is going stronger than ever.

Read more
More News

For general enquiries regarding our Chemistry sector contact us now

Close

Connect with Innovate UK KTN

Join Innovate UK KTN's mailing list to receive updates on funding opportunities, events and to access IUK KTN’s deep expertise. Please check your email to confirm your subscription and select your area(s) of interest.