Rethinking labelling for hazardous goods
When transporting hazardous and dangerous goods, there’s an assumption that compliance takes care of itself: once a label is printed and placed on a barrel or container, the job is done. In reality, the process goes far beyond this. Every day, thousands of drums, canisters and bulk containers move across borders, oceans and industries, many carrying substances that pose significant risks to health, safety and the environment.
Why the North American fertiliser market still growing
The North American fertiliser market is expected to reach $92.23bn by 2033, up from $68.68bn in 2024, with a CAGR of 3.33% from 2025 to 2033, according to the latest ResearchAndMarkets.com report: North America Fertilizer Market Size and Growth Trends and Forecast Report 2025-2033.
The outlook for digital life sciences
Life sciences organisations are using AI and other emerging technologies to become more agile, innovative and patient-centric, according to a new research report. The 2025 ISG Provider Lens global Life Sciences Digital Services report finds that clinical trials, manufacturing, patient engagement and other activities in the industry are being transformed to meet changing expectations.
Understanding the STEM skills pipeline
Each year, one early-career chemical or process engineer swaps the lab bench for the corridors of Westminster, not to become a politician, but to help inform them. The Ashok Kumar Fellowship, funded by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and the Materials Processing Institute, gives engineers the chance to spend three months working in the UK Parliament.
AI and its potential impact on peer review
Peer review remains the core quality control mechanism of science, the cornerstone of validating scientific research determining what gets published and funded, but the process of selecting reviewers is outdated, slow and flawed.
Protecting research integrity
Principal Investigators (PIs) are crucial to maintaining research integrity. The path to becoming a PI usually takes over a decade, beginning with undergraduate studies and culminating in the acquisition of independent research funding. Becoming a PI is also incredibly competitive with many PhD graduates and postdoctoral researchers not making the eventual transition to a PI role.
Comment: A rising demand, a shrinking footprint
The Government is pushing for the UK to become a ‘science superpower’, but infrastructure is not keeping pace. Several factors contribute to the shortage, but the most significant is the rapid growth of the scientific research sector. Scientific publications are increasing at an exponential rate of 5.6%/year.
Comment: Robotics in reskilling and transition
The rapid advance of robotics is fundamentally altering the global industrial landscape. While this promises enhanced productivity, it also raises concerns about the future of employment. As automation becomes more integrated into factories, warehouses and supply chains, the critical issue of workforce adaptation and reskilling has emerged as a paramount challenge.
Comment: Chemical recycling
Chemical recycling in Europe remains nascent mostly due to unattractive economics. The industry can achieve cost parity with virgin plastics production, but this will take 20-30 years and require over €400bn in cumulative capex. Companies have a window of opportunity to be early movers and reap material benefits.
Oncology R&D
Oncology R&D activity continues to grow driven by novel modalities. Novel modalities, especially cell and gene therapies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and multispecific antibodies, now account for 35% of oncology trials. Multiple novel modalities are evolving rapidly with significant potential both alone and in combination with each other.