Beyond biologics bottlenecks
Novel biologics provide access to targeted treatments for some of our most pressing medical conditions and meet the needs of an ageing global population. Biologics promise fewer side effects and the first steps towards personalised medicine, but the field is still in its infancy.
Biology without limits
The pharmaceutical sector can trace its roots to the isolation of natural small molecules with biological activity. It was this that drove synthetic organic chemistry and led to the development of a new industry.
Ocean action
Our ocean is under threat. Multiple impacts, ranging from the consequences of climate change – increasing sea surface temperatures, ocean acidification, sea level rise and deoxygenation – to poor management practises, damaging gear and overfishing has led to more than a third of known marine species threatened with extinction.
EU leads in plastic pyrolysis
Negative consumer sentiment, regulation and a global focus on sustainability have combined to push plastics sustainability to the fore. Future projections of a circular economy emphasise that a combination of recycled and bio-based resources will serve as a feedstock.*
Contracting post-Brexit
In March 2021, a survey found that 74% of British firms suffer from delays with EU markets. Post-Brexit, anyone entering contracts involving the supply of goods – including chemicals - between the UK and EU member states must think about issues such as the risk of delivery problems if long delays at channel ports continue.
Alternatives for leather
Dwindling demand for animal-based products and growing interest in sustainability are driving innovation in leather alternatives, and now is the time to invest, according to new data from Lux Research: The Next Alternative: Leather. Read more in C&I Magazine.
Plugging the skills gap
Despite more people choosing to study STEM subjects at university, the scientific industry is still suffering from a significant skills shortage. Search Consultancy’s 2021 Skills Shortage Report shows 74% of organisations within the sector are currently feeling the strain, with a shortfall of around 173,000 skilled STEM workers. On average, this leaves business understaffed by 17%.
Focus on PFAS
A major challenge for industry, regulators and environmental professionals is reacting appropriately to emerging contaminants. This is especially relevant for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a broad group of some several thousand synthetic fluorochemicals, which are the focus of dramatically increasing regulatory action.
Carbon literacy
A ‘by chance’ conversation just over two years ago introduced BASF to the concept of Carbon Literacy training and set us on a journey of stakeholder engagement on climate change. We knew then that a problem exists (the climate crisis), that we as an organisation played our part in it and that we had a strategy aimed at overcoming it.
Cannabis in Europe
Some 60,000 people were able to access cannabis medications for the first time in Europe in 2020, bringing the total to 185,000 patients. The value of the European market will reach €406m by the end of 2021: a year-on-year growth of 75%. Read the full comment in C&I Magazine.