Chemical Sciences Scotland newsletter
This monthly newsletter highlights all the latest news and forthcoming events in Scotland for the local Chemical Sciences community.
Read the latest issue of the Chemicals Sciences Scotland newsletter
News
Inaugural Chemical Sciences Conference – 24-25 March 2009
21 November 2008
The inaugural Chemical Sciences Scotland Dinner and Conference will take place at Dunblane Hydro on 24-25 March, 2009. Mark Beaumont, the inspirational Scot who cycled around the world, Tom Crotty, CEO of INEOS Olefins and Polymers Europe and Jim Mather MSP, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism are three of the confirmed speakers at the event.
Scottish business fuels global progress
12 December 2008
St Andrews-based Sasol Technology UK Ltd has secured funding for an innovative research project that could have a major impact on the global fuel industry. A £4.5 million, four-year project to improve the efficiency of eco-and engine-friendly petrol and diesel has been boosted by a £700,000 research grant from Scottish Enterprise.
Chemical Industry Awards 2009 come to Scotland
12 December 2008
The Chemical Industry Awards will take place at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh on Thursday, 25 June, 2009. The premier accolades for the UK chemical industry, these awards offer a unique opportunity to highlight and promote exceptional performance at company, site or individual level.
42nd IUPAC Congress – call for abstracts
12 December 2008
The deadline for submitting oral abstracts for inclusion at the 42nd IUPAC Congress has been set for January 16, 2009. Hosted by the Royal Society of Chemistry, the IUPAC Congress – which takes place from August 2–7 in Glasgow – is one of Europe’s premier chemical sciences conferences.
New face in the Chemical Science team
12 December 2008
Brian Keegan, a well known Education Consultant, has recently taken up a six-month post as Project Manager (Skills) with Chemical Sciences Scotland. He has been involved in the further education and training sectors for over 30 years and is currently chair of the Governance Steering group for Scotland’s Colleges.
IB-IGT Roadshow – 22 January, 2009
12 December 2008
The Chairman of the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation and Growth Team, Ian Shott, will discuss the group’s findings to date at a Roadshow event in Glasgow on January 22, 2009. More details will be released over the next few weeks.
RSC roadmap consultation: results and opportunities
12 December 2008
Industry stakeholders who contributed to the Royal Society of Chemistry online roadmap consultation can now view the results. Participants can access all the comments made during the consultation, download summary reports and view the revised opportunities, challenges and timelines.
REACH reaches a new stage
12 December 2008
With the pre-registration phase of REACH now complete, REACHReady's 2009 events programme is designed to help companies and individuals through the next steps towards compliance. The workshops scheduled for early 2009 include: Managing REACH – Successful SIEFs and Consortia; IUCLID5 training for REACH Registrants; Writing your Chemical Safety Report and the CSA/CSR/ES Tool.
Driving innovation: the formula for success
12 December 2008
Driving Innovation, a hugely significant chemicals event focussing on the importance of innovation within the industry, took place in Grangemouth last month. Delegates heard how leading industry figures were driving innovation performance in their organisations through knowledge transfer, open innovation and networks.
Scotttish influence on European chemical strategy revealed at congress of European Chemical Regions Network
21 November 2008
Fiona Soutar of the Chemical Sciences team addressed the 6th congress of the European Chemical Regions Network (ECRN), which was held in Brussels last month. The congress focused on the challenges of climate change and the role of innovation clusters for the European chemical industry. More than 120 representatives from national institutions, chemical regions, industry and academia participated at this major event looking at future European chemical strategy.
Britest showcases £250m of value derived from improved understanding
21 November 2008
Over 100 representatives from leading international businesses, academic institutions and support organisations gathered at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton on 23 October for Britest’s Members’ Day. The annual conference focussed on how the unique collaborative opportunities offered through Britest membership can be successfully applied to deliver sustainable competitive advantage for member companies. Further Information on the work of Britest and how to join is available by contacting Sue Fleet, Britest’s CEO, on 01928 515683.
Deadline for International Forum on Knowledge Asset Dynamics abstracts approaches
21 November 2008
The deadline for submitting an abstract in order to present a paper at next year’s International Forum on Knowledge Asset Dynamics (IFKAD) is 10 December 2008. IFKAD will take place alongside the International Congress of the Intellectual Assets Centre for the first time on 17-18 February 2009. Both events will see academics from across the globe share current thinking and research. The conjoined events will provide a unique international opportunity for the exchange of cutting-edge knowledge and research.
ECHA publishes candidate list of substances for authorisation
21 November 2008
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has included 15 substances in the Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) for authorisation. EU and EEA companies supplying chemicals on the list, either in articles, in preparations or as substances, face immediate legal obligations. Chemicals-supplying companies should check the Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) to determine whether or not they are required to act.
A conference first for Scotland
21 November 2008
International healthcare manufacturers Mentholatum descended upon Loch Lomond last month to discuss the challenges and opportunities in Global Healthcare Retailing. The event represented The Mentholatum Company’s first cross-regional distributor’s conference and was hailed a major success by senior executives.
Nobel Prize winners in Chemistry announced
21 November 2008
Osamu Shimomura, Martin Chalfie and Roger Y. Tsien have been awarded the 2008 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for the discovery and development of the green fluorescent protein, GFP.The trio will receive their awards at the annual ceremony in Stockholm on 10 December, the anniversary of Alfred Noble’s death.
Royal Society of Chemistry Roadmap Consultation: Results and Opportunities
21 November 2008
Interested parties can now register to view the Royal Society of Chemistry Roadmap Consultation results, and the identified opportunities provided on their website.
SEPA to pilot simpler regulations
23 October 2008
More flexible regulatory practices, based on common-sense and pragmatic solutions, are set to be piloted by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). Proposals to introduce more flexible regulations were set out in the Regulatory Review Group (RRG) Annual Report and subsequent discussions have led to these recommendations being piloted.
A new newsletter from the IB-IGT
23 Ocotber 2008
The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation and Growth Team (IB-IGT) have launched a newsletter to keep industry stakeholders up-to-date with progress and developments. The IB-IGT aims to ensure that UK companies build on world-renowned research and knowledge to leverage opportunities in industrial biotechnology.
Free e-bulletin keeps industry members up-to-date with the latest advice, tools and publications
23 October 2008
Catalyst is a free e-bulletin for the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sector from Envirowise. Envirowise is an organisation that delivers advice to UK businesses enabling them to increase profitability whilst reducing their environmental impact. Catalyst covers a key feature each month, with October’s edition focusing on green chemistry, a set of 12 principles aimed at reducing and eliminating the use and generation of hazardous materials.
Driving Innovation, your formula for success
23 October 2008
Knowledge transfer, open innovation and the development of networks are essential to ensure the future success of the chemical and chemistry-using sectors. To this end, industry members looking to establish a culture of innovation and improve their performance can benefit from a major free event in Grangemouth next month. Hosted by Chemical Sciences Scotland and Chemistry Innovation KTN, Driving Innovation…your formula for success, is a must-attend event for members of academia. industry and other stakeholders.
Scottish Government support for National Science and Engineering Week
23 October 2008
Science, engineering and technology organisations based in Scotland may be eligible for financial assistance to host events during National Science and Engineering Week 2009. The Scottish Government is providing funding to help stimulate and support events and activities in Scotland between 6–15 March 2009.
Enterprise Fellowships allow technology business to get off to the best start
21 October 2008
The Enterprise Fellowship programme is funded by Scottish Enterprise and delivered by the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Over 60 per cent of Enterprise Fellows form successful businesses ranging from yacht sail design, to cleaning systems for the oil and gas industry, and a platform technology for pest disease management.
Low carbon technologies market could be worth £2,000 billion by 2030 according to new report
16 October 2008
The UK is the European hotbed of investment and innovation in low carbon technologies, attracting 41 per cent of the total venture capital and private equity investment in low-carbon companies in the EU, according to the new report, The Race to Capture the Carbon Pound. The study, conducted by independent consultancy Vivid Economics in collaboration with New Energy Finance, is the third in a series commissioned by Shell Springboard. It investigates the role small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play in tackling climate change and the extent to which the UK is harnessing this global opportunity.
Universities invest in research to boost the chemicals industry in Scotland
22 September 2008
In a groundbreaking new initiative, ScotCHEM, Chemical Sciences Scotland (CSS) and the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) announced the creation of 31 new PhD studentships in Chemistry to work on challenges and opportunities identified by Scotland’s £3.5 billion chemical industry.
Cars to run on fuel from household waste within two years
5 September 2008
INEOS, the world’s third largest chemical company, announced that it is aiming to produce commercial quantities of bioethanol fuel from biodegradable municipal waste in around two years. INEOS’ new technology will produce bioethanol in large quantities from municipal solid waste, organic commercial waste and agricultural residues, amongst other things.
Scotland wins bid for major international chemicals congress in 2011
In the wake of the IUPAC Congress at Glasgow’s SECC in August 2009, another major chemistry Congress is coming to Glasgow in 2011. Led by Professor Colin Suckling from the University of Strathclyde, a team of chemists from across Scotland has been successful in their bid to host the International Congress of Heterocyclic Chemistry in 2011, a UK first. This biennial Congress - rotating through Australasia, North America, and Europe - is the principal event of the International Society of Heterocyclic Chemistry.
The John Logie Baird Awards for innovation
14 August 2008
The John Logie Baird Awards for innovation are designed to recognise and celebrate innovation by encouraging the commercial exploitation of Scotland’s intellectual capital. Awards packages valued at approximately £20,000 are presented annually consisting of a cash prize as well as a bespoke innovation development package.
Blueprint for chemical sciences sector boosts investment
Scottish Enterprise, 30 June 2008
Scotland’s first ever industry-driven strategy for the chemical sciences sector has helped encourage more than £220 million of investment in Scotland’s chemical sciences.
Innovative MicroEmulsion chemical project announced for Technology Park
Scottish Enterprise, 4 February 2008
Surface Active Solutions Limited (SASL) is to expand its innovative MicroEmulsion products at Grangemouth Technology Park.
Scottish chemicals sector to broaden horizons with mission to New Orleans
Scottish Enterprise, 29 January 2008
A delegation of leading Scottish chemical firms is on a trade mission this week to showcase Scotland as a competitive European location for Chemical manufacture, research and development.
Management buy out to generate more jobs in Fife
Scottish Enterprise, 07 December 2007
Cupar-based, St Andrews ChemTech International has announced the successful conclusion of a Management Buy Out (MBO), safeguarding the future of the company under independent management in Fife.
Grangemouth chemicals firm lifts top accolade for efficient manufacturing
Scottish Enterprise, 13 November 2007
Grangemouth-based, FUJIFILM Imaging Colorants Ltd, has won the 2007 IChemE Award for Resource-efficient Manufacture. The company, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the FUJIFILM Corporation, are a global market provider of inkjet and laser materials.
Chemical Sciences: the cornerstone of Scotland’s industrial economy
Scottish Enterprise, 31 October 2007
“The chemical sciences are the foundation of modern life and the cornerstone of Scotland’s industrial economy”, according to a unique partnership of industry, academia and the public sector – Chemical Sciences Scotland – set to be launched today (31 October 2007) by Jim Mather, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism.
St Andrews-based chemical laboratory SASOL has smashed initial targets
Scottish Enterprise, 1 November 2006
A St Andrews-based chemical laboratory has smashed initial targets creating more high value jobs and injecting more investment into Scotland's chemicals sector than originally anticipated.
Fujifilm injects colour into Grangemouth with £2.5 million R&D projects
Scottish Enterprise, 18 September 2006
Global imaging company Fujifilm is set to expand its imaging colorants research and development centre in the heart of Scotland's chemicals hub. Two new research and development projects, supported by R&D Plus grants from Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley, have been developed since the business was acquired from Avecia in February 2006.