https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/ The Chemical Engineer News Feed Sat, 04 Apr 2026 05:12:08 GMT en https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/fungal-protein-shows-promise-for-ice-control-in-frozen-foods/ ]]> RESEARCHERS in the US and Germany have identified a fungal protein that could be used to control ice formation in frozen foods by triggering crystallisation at relatively high subzero temperatures. Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:04:24 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47675 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/icheme-matters-april-1018/ ]]> In IChemE Matters 1018 the President talks about innovating silo design and education of ethics, and our team recap the highlights from DiscoverChemEngLIVE in South Wales. Thu, 02 Apr 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47578 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/inspiring-future-engineers-in-wales-mag/ ]]> Thu, 02 Apr 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47588 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/share-your-insights-and-expertise-at-the-2026-hydrogen-innovation-and-technology-conference-mag/ ]]> Thu, 02 Apr 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47589 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/register-for-presidential-address-mag/ ]]> Thu, 02 Apr 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47590 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/rosebank-and-jackdaw-developer-told-to-further-revise-emissions-estimates-before-approval-decision/ ]]> THE DEVELOPER of the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas projects has been instructed to make further revisions to its environmental assessments after regulators reviewed their most recent submissions. Tue, 31 Mar 2026 10:13:30 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47551 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/uk-s-largest-plastic-recycling-centre-to-open-in-colby/ ]]> A MAJOR new plastic recycling facility designed to handle large-scale waste streams in the food and retail sector is set to open in Corby, Northamptonshire. Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:33:12 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47550 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/uk-backs-temporary-restart-of-bioethanol-plant-amid-co2-shortages/ ]]> THE UK government will fund a temporary restart of a bioethanol plant on Teesside to ease CO2 shortages triggered by the conflict in the Middle East. Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:53:56 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47549 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/uk-energy-leaders-back-continued-north-sea-gas-production/ ]]> UK ENERGY leaders have called for continued North Sea gas production, arguing it remains essential to energy security despite the country’s push towards renewables. Mon, 30 Mar 2026 14:48:27 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47548 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/cheltenham-schoolboys-win-davidson-inventors-challenge-with-water-treatment-tool/ ]]> A TEAM of five students from Cheltenham won the final of the Davidson Inventors Challenge after developing a low-cost water treatment device aimed at improving access to clean drinking water. Fri, 27 Mar 2026 17:39:57 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47547 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/icheme-launches-presidential-inquiry-into-uk-chemical-engineering-research/ ]]> IChemE has launched a major presidential inquiry into the state of chemical engineering research in the UK, calling for evidence from across academia, industry and government. Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:18:19 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47545 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/conference-to-highlight-chemical-engineering-s-role-in-medicine-mag/ ]]> Thu, 26 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47583 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/adjiman-and-seville-among-icheme-medal-winners-mag/ ]]> Thu, 26 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47584 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/journal-seeks-papers-on-ai-and-digitalisation-in-chemeng-education-mag/ ]]> Thu, 26 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47585 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/spring-statement-prompts-icheme-call-for-stable-industrial-policy-mag/ ]]> Thu, 26 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47586 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/totalenergies-drops-us-offshore-wind-for-us-1bn-gas-deal/ ]]> FRENCH energy giant TotalEnergies will no longer pursue offshore wind projects in the US after securing a US$1bn deal with the government to focus on gas development. Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:41:03 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47543 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/bp-to-sell-german-refinery-in-bid-to-save-us-1bn/ ]]> BRITISH oil and gas giant bp has agreed to sell its Gelsenkirchen refinery in Germany to independent refiner Klesch Group as part of plans to reduce structural costs by US$1bn. Tue, 24 Mar 2026 09:18:54 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47542 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/syngenta-announces-us-130m-expansion-to-uk-agricultural-research-centre/ ]]> SWISS agrochemicals company Syngenta has announced plans to invest US$130m in a new agricultural bioscience centre at its existing research and development (R&D) hub in Bracknell, UK. Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:30:48 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47537 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/seville-awarded-davidson-medal-for-lifelong-commitment-to-chemeng-mentoring/ ]]> FORMER IChemE president Jonathan Seville has been awarded the 2026 Davidson medal for his “lifelong commitment to excellence in mentoring”. Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:13:46 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47535 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/turkmenistan-remains-hotspot-for-methane-emissions-according-to-satellite-data/ ]]> GLOBAL methane emissions from the oil and gas sector remain dominated by plumes from Turkmenistan, according to satellite measurements analysed by researchers in California. Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:35:57 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47534 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/overhaul-of-safety-and-environment-rules-will-make-uk-nuclear-nation-starmer/ ]]> SIR KEIR Starmer has said a regulatory overhaul for British civil and defence nuclear projects will help the UK “reclaim its place as a leading nuclear nation”. Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:43:45 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47532 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/back-up-power-line-restored-to-europe-s-largest-nuclear-plant-during-ceasefire-in-ukraine/ ]]> FEARS of a nuclear accident at Europe’s largest atomic power plant have eased after a back-up power line connecting the site to an external electricity source was restored. Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:10:06 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47531 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/urenco-and-babcock-face-prosecution-over-uranium-oxide-release/ ]]> NUCLEAR engineering companies Urenco ChemPlants and Babcock Critical Services are to be prosecuted after a 2024 incident at an enrichment site in the UK led to a uranium oxide release. Tue, 17 Mar 2026 09:36:54 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47530 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/update-nasa-confirms-april-artemis-ii-launch/ ]]> THE FIRST crewed mission to the Moon in more than 50 years is now scheduled to launch in April after NASA engineers identified and resolved a helium flow fault affecting the Artemis II rocket. Tue, 17 Mar 2026 09:23:19 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47529 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/water-desalination-plants-damaged-in-iran-and-bahrain/ ]]> IRANIAN and Bahraini water desalination plants have been damaged by attacks amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, officials from both countries said. Mon, 16 Mar 2026 14:13:48 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47527 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/bp-reports-rise-in-downstream-emissions-shell-continues-decline/ ]]> bp reported a significant increase in downstream greenhouse gas emissions in 2025, according to its latest annual filings, while rival Shell recorded a continued decline from its 2019 levels. Mon, 16 Mar 2026 13:08:30 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47526 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/rolls-royce-smr-explores-nuclear-powered-sustainable-aviation-fuel/ ]]> ROLLS-ROYCE SMR has signed an agreement with UK nuclear project developer Equilibrion to explore how small modular reactors (SMRs) could power the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Thu, 12 Mar 2026 16:38:03 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47525 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/space-semiconductor-research-hub-opens-in-south-wales/ ]]> A NEW research facility has opened in south Wales to support the development and scale-up of semiconductor materials manufactured in space. Tue, 10 Mar 2026 16:18:45 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47519 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/university-of-bath-researchers-break-down-pfas-with-sunlight/ ]]> AN INTERNATIONAL team led by researchers at the University of Bath has developed a carbon-based photocatalyst that uses sunlight to break down PFAS. Tue, 10 Mar 2026 09:50:33 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47518 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/eu-proposes-industrial-accelerator-act-to-protect-strategic-manufacturing/ ]]> THE EUROPEAN Commission has proposed new legislation aimed at protecting domestic manufacturing from “unfair global competition” across sectors including steel, cement, aluminium, batteries, solar photovoltaic (PV) and critical minerals. Tue, 10 Mar 2026 09:38:21 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47517 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/1bn-green-hydrogen-project-approved-in-spain/ ]]> SPAIN’S largest proposed green hydrogen project has secured a €1bn (US$1.15bn) final investment decision, allowing construction to begin on the Andalusian Green Hydrogen Valley. Mon, 09 Mar 2026 16:56:37 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47516 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/ithaca-submits-plans-for-tornado-gas-field-west-of-shetland/ ]]> ITHACA ENERGY has submitted plans to develop the Tornado gas field west of Shetland, targeting first production in 2029 – just as the UK aims to deliver a clean power system by 2030. Mon, 09 Mar 2026 15:31:47 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47513 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/regulator-proposes-22m-penalty-for-consistently-underperforming-south-east-water/ ]]> THE UK water regulator Ofwat has proposed a £22.46m (US$29.9m) fine for South East Water (SEW) over failures that led to five major supply outages between 2020 and 2023. Fri, 06 Mar 2026 09:39:44 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47511 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/us-iran-tensions-trigger-global-energy-market-turmoil/ ]]> PRICE hikes have hit the global oil and gas industry following escalating tensions between the US and Iran, with disruptions to critical trade networks causing widespread economic uncertainty. Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:15:09 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47509 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/completely-preventable-labelling-error-caused-fatal-hydrogen-sulfide-release-at-pemex-refinery-csb-finds/ ]]> MULTIPLE failures led to a “completely preventable” labelling error that caused a fatal release of hydrogen sulfide at a Pemex oil refinery in Texas in 2024, a US investigation has concluded. Tue, 03 Mar 2026 09:30:27 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47508 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/inadequate-control-systems-led-to-1-700-l-solvent-spill-at-fujifilm-uk-facility/ ]]> INADEQUATE control systems led to 1,700 L of flammable solvent spilling onto the floor of a semiconductor materials facility owned by Fujifilm in Derbyshire, UK last July, TCE can reveal. Mon, 02 Mar 2026 14:10:39 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47506 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/uk-s-first-geothermal-plant-opens-in-cornwall/ ]]> AFTER more than a decade of development, Geothermal Engineering Limited (GEL) has opened its United Downs power plant near Redruth, making it the UK’s first operational geothermal electricity facility. Mon, 02 Mar 2026 10:01:14 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47505 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/nasa-reviews-moon-rocket-artemis-ii-amid-helium-flow-issues/ ]]> NASA’S ARTEMIS II is being wheeled back in for repair because a disruption of helium flow to the moon rocket’s space launch system (SLS) is impairing its ability to lift off. Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:38:43 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47503 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/mp-chris-mcdonald-hails-clean-energy-as-economic-opportunity-of-the-century-at-icheme-debate-mag/ ]]> Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47434 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/icheme-virtual-work-experience-inspires-6-700-future-chemical-engineers-mag/ ]]> Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:00:00 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47435 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/uk-must-prioritise-domestic-gas-production-say-industry-leaders/ ]]> LEADERS in the UK’s energy industry have called for “pragmatic and forward-looking” changes to the gas network to combat future energy security challenges. Wed, 25 Feb 2026 17:01:20 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47501 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/astrazeneca-to-invest-us-15bn-in-china-manufacturing-and-rd/ ]]> PHARMACEUTICAL giant AstraZeneca has announced plans to invest US$15bn in China, deepening its presence in the country’s manufacturing and research ecosystem and citing China’s growing “scientific excellence”. Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:11:13 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47393 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/us-seeks-global-critical-minerals-alliance-to-curb-china-dominance/ ]]> THE US has launched a global initiative with more than a dozen countries to ramp up critical mineral production and reduce reliance on China. Tue, 17 Feb 2026 07:50:13 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47391 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/liquid-metal-powers-hydrogen-from-water/ ]]> RESEARCHERS at the University of Sydney have developed a photothermal method for producing hydrogen from freshwater and seawater using liquid gallium, with the potential for circular operation through metal regeneration Tue, 17 Feb 2026 07:45:15 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47390 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/live-frank-morton-2026/ ]]> Welcome to The Chemical Engineer's live coverage of Frank Morton 2026 at the University of Nottingham. Here you can relive a day that saw 19 universities (and one team representing industry) battle it out across 12 sports. Edited by Aniqah Majid and Sam Baker. Mon, 16 Feb 2026 10:00:05 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47388 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/modec-advances-fuel-cell-pilot-for-floating-oil-platform/ ]]> JAPANESE floating oil platform developer MODEC has signed an agreement to scale up its pilot fuel cell project, tripling planned power output for a floating production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO). Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:53:05 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47386 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/indian-government-to-invest-us-22bn-in-ccus-over-five-years/ ]]> THE INDIAN government’s latest federal budget has committed US$2.2bn (Rs 20,000 crore) to scale up carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) projects over the next five years. Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:35:15 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47385 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/icheme-virtual-work-experience-inspires-6-700-future-chemical-engineers/ ]]> Nearly 7,000 young people have explored a career in chemical engineering through IChemE’s Virtual Work Experience (VWEX) programme, with many saying it has helped shape their decision to pursue chemical engineering at university. Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:21:18 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47383 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/kellas-midstream-fined-175-000-for-excessive-venting-at-teesside-gas-terminal/ ]]> KELLAS Midstream has been fined £175,000 (US$239,000) for excessive venting at its CATS gas terminal in Teesside, UK, after the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) found the terminal had vented more than double its consented volume in 2024. Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:30:02 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47382 https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/syngenta-fined-400-000-for-dangerous-steam-release-at-uk-plant/ ]]> GLOBAL pesticides manufacturer Syngenta has been fined £400,000 (US$547,000) after pleading guilty to two health and safety offences following a dangerous steam release at its Huddersfield site in 2023. Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:17:16 GMT https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/47379