What is the UK doing about PFAS?

PFAS, nicknamed "forever chemicals", have been hitting headlines recently. The UK HSE has published a report identifying how to tackle them. This is what you need to know about it.

Isopropanol Replacement – Why and How?

Reducing the impact of non-renewable and harmful chemicals should be the highest priority in any manufacturing process to protect ourselves and our planet’s future. Replacing petrochemical solvents is important due to their prevalence in manufacturing. We’ve looked at the concerns and alternative options for a widely used solvent, isopropanol.

Alternatives to PVC

With PVC in the news again for its hazards as well as manufacturing practices, it’s time to focus on alternatives. Are there safer options that we can use instead of PVC?

Sustainable construction: how green is your insulation?

There are various forms of sustainable insulation available from renewable or recycled sources including both animal- and plant-derived natural fibres, bulk plant mass, and recycled textiles/plastics. But with sustainable materials, there’s no one “best” product - the right choice depends on your specific needs. We’ve summarised some of the pros and cons of the best-known green insulation options.

What are green chemists doing in cosmetics?

There are a lot of chemicals in cosmetics, and that’s not a bad thing! With the current trend for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients, it may seem like there’s no place for chemicals, even green ones. But green chemists are bringing fresh ideas to an industry in need.

How green is silicone?

Silicone is largely recognised as a sometimes colourful, smooth, rubbery material, finding uses in children’s toys, kitchenware, and most controversially, breast implants. With recent movements to cut down on plastic, people looking for greener, more sustainable alternatives sometimes turn to silicone. But is silicone really a green material? What makes it different from plastic? Much like silicone itself, the answers aren’t so black and white.

Bio-vanillin

It’s hard to imagine a world without vanilla. Used for flavouring and medicinal purposes in the ancient past and in everything from ice cream to perfumes today. It has commanded our attention since its first use around 3500 years ago. Now, a new green chemistry technique uses enzymatic technology to give us bio-vanillin, proving that vanilla’s ‘plain’ reputation is undeserved.

The chemistry of decaf

True caffeine-free tea is only found in the realm of herbal “teas” (more accurately, tisanes) which are made from different plants that never contained caffeine in the first place. The desire for an afternoon cuppa that won’t risk your sleep has motivated the development of an entire industry of decaffeinated (decaf) products. Although you might assume from the name that decaf tea is entirely devoid of caffeine.

The chemistry behind healthy building

We spend about 87% of our time indoors between home, work, and shops. Sustainable chemistry innovation is critical to creating the materials we need to build safe, healthy indoor spaces.

Is helium environmentally friendly? Solutions to the global shortage

Earth’s supply of helium is running low. Since we currently use a lot of it, we need to find alternatives. Here are some of its most common uses and the alternatives.

Green chemistry funding and support in the UK

Green chemistry start-ups are playing a vital enabling role in the UK's transition to a bioeconomy. But searching for the right funding or business support as a green chemistry business in the UK can be overwhelming. We’ve put together a list of sources to help.

What is chemical recycling?

Our current problem with plastic recycling is that we aren’t doing it enough. Between 1950 and 2015, only 9% of the total plastic produced around the world was recycled, whilst nearly 60% of virgin plastics were used once and discarded. The figure below visualises what this plastics system looks like, with the tiny green section at the bottom showing reuse and recycling.

Green chemistry jobs are now booming

The green industrial revolution is happening right now. Governments, companies, and universities are all moving in the same direction. The UK government has made it clear that after the COVID-19 pandemic, their intention is to ‘build back greener’ and urgently pivot toward a green economy.

Can solvents ever be really green?

Recently, we’ve started to question whether we can use solvents more sustainably. Many common solvents are hazardous petrochemicals, creating a big environmental footprint problem as well as putting workers at risk. So what can we do? Are there green alternatives to hazardous solvents?

Which chemical companies are going green?

Have you ever wanted a simple way to tell which chemical giants are trying to go green, and which aren’t? Now’s your chance.

Green Chemistry