UKRI Interdisciplinary Centre for Circular Chemical Economy
Lead Research Organisation:
Loughborough University
Department Name: Chemical Engineering
Abstract
The UK chemical sector has an annual turnover of over £32 billion with 99,000 direct jobs in 2016. The Centre's vision is to transform the UK's chemical industry into a fossil-independent, climate-positive and environmentally-friendly circular chemical economy. The overall novelty of our programme is the development of a sector-wide solution with deep circularity interventions, by creating a circular resources flow of olefin-the raw material for 70% of all organic chemical production. Our whole system approach will include key sectors of production, transportation/distribution, refinery/downstream, use and waste recycling, to reduce fossil reliance and improve productivity and sustainability of the whole process industry.
The Centre will generate a cross-disciplinary platform combining synergistic innovations in science/engineering with social scientists to comprehend the whole system industrial symbiosis and market/policy/incentive design. The Core Research Programme is organised around three interconnected themes: (1) Key technologies to enable olefin production from alternative/recycling wastes streams and design more reusable chemicals via advanced catalytic processes; (2) Process integration, whole system analysis and value chain evaluation, and (3) Policy, society and finance. Through detailed process modelling, economic analysis and environmental assessment of technology solutions along the supply chain, accelerated understanding, opportunities and optimum solutions to achieve circularity of olefin-derived resources flow will be attained. These activities are embedded with stakeholders involving all affected groups, including local SMEs and downstream users, and will provide evidence and data for policymakers.
The Centre will engage with users through social studies and organised events, and exploit consumer/business behavioural change related to chemical systems enabling a sustainable community and society with innovative technologies.
The Centre will generate a cross-disciplinary platform combining synergistic innovations in science/engineering with social scientists to comprehend the whole system industrial symbiosis and market/policy/incentive design. The Core Research Programme is organised around three interconnected themes: (1) Key technologies to enable olefin production from alternative/recycling wastes streams and design more reusable chemicals via advanced catalytic processes; (2) Process integration, whole system analysis and value chain evaluation, and (3) Policy, society and finance. Through detailed process modelling, economic analysis and environmental assessment of technology solutions along the supply chain, accelerated understanding, opportunities and optimum solutions to achieve circularity of olefin-derived resources flow will be attained. These activities are embedded with stakeholders involving all affected groups, including local SMEs and downstream users, and will provide evidence and data for policymakers.
The Centre will engage with users through social studies and organised events, and exploit consumer/business behavioural change related to chemical systems enabling a sustainable community and society with innovative technologies.
Organisations
- Loughborough University, United Kingdom (Lead Research Organisation)
- Unilever R&D Vlaardingen B.V., Netherlands (Collaboration)
- Argent Energy (Collaboration)
- North East of England Process Industry Cluster (Collaboration)
- European Bioplastics (Project Partner)
- Britvic Soft Drinks (Project Partner)
- Centre for Process Innovation Limited, Redcar, United Kingdom (Project Partner)
- Chemical Sciences Scotland (Project Partner)
- PV3 Technologies Ltd, United Kingdom (Project Partner)
- Ethical Finance Hub Ltd (Project Partner)
- National Chiao Tung University (Project Partner)
- Scottish Enterprise, United Kingdom (Project Partner)
- Du Pont Teijin Films, United Kingdom (Project Partner)
- Croda Europe Limited, Snaith Goole, United Kingdom (Project Partner)
- Lubrizol Ltd (Project Partner)
- Plastic Energy (Project Partner)
- Unilever Corporate Research, United Kingdom (Project Partner)
- Ceres Power Ltd, United Kingdom (Project Partner)
- Zero Waste Scotland (Project Partner)
- WRAP, United Kingdom (Project Partner)
- NiTech Solutions Ltd, United Kingdom (Project Partner)
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany (Project Partner)
- NSG Holding (Europe) Limited (Project Partner)
- Chivas Brothers Ltd (Project Partner)
- Zinergy UK ltd (Project Partner)
- Shell Research UK, United Kingdom (Project Partner)
- Johnson Matthey Plc (Project Partner)
- Princeton University (Project Partner)
Publications
Arrigo R
(2021)
Dynamics at Polarized Carbon Dioxide-Iron Oxyhydroxide Interfaces Unveil the Origin of Multicarbon Product Formation
in ACS Catalysis
Khan M
(2021)
Redox mediator as cathode modifier for enhanced degradation of azo dye in a sequential dual chamber microbial fuel cell-aerobic treatment process
in International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Li D
(2021)
How to go beyond C 1 products with electrochemical reduction of CO 2
in Sustainable Energy & Fuels
Li Z
(2021)
Advancing the multiscale understanding on solid oxide electrolysis cells via modelling approaches: A review
in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
Miller D
(2022)
Assessing methods for the production of renewable benzene
in Sustainable Production and Consumption
Niu Z
(2021)
Towards the digitalisation of porous energy materials: evolution of digital approaches for microstructural design
in Energy & Environmental Science
Rodríguez-Vallejo D
(2021)
Economic and life-cycle assessment of OME 3-5 as transport fuel: a comparison of production pathways
in Sustainable Energy & Fuels
Siritanaratkul B
(2022)
Manganese Carbonyl Complexes as Selective Electrocatalysts for CO 2 Reduction in Water and Organic Solvents
in Accounts of Chemical Research
Siritanaratkul B
(2022)
Zero-Gap Bipolar Membrane Electrolyzer for Carbon Dioxide Reduction Using Acid-Tolerant Molecular Electrocatalysts.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
| Description | Digital Circular Electrochemical Economy (DCEE) |
| Amount | £964,620 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/V042432/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2021 |
| End | 08/2024 |
| Description | Agent Energy and HVB PoC |
| Organisation | Argent Energy |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Through this collaboration, the aim of this research is to develop an optimised MES process with enhanced selectivity for high-value long-chain carbohydrates (C4-C8) production. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Argent Energy will contribute in several ways for this project as a research partner. This includes providing: • Information on effluent waste gas enriched with CO2, and effluent organic waste streams; • Advice on research questions and directions for the project; • Staff time in project evaluation and taking part in project review meetings, • Access to site visits and relevant on-site data. |
| Impact | Secured a BBSRC High value Biorenewables PoC funding with the project "Enhance selectivity for high value bioproducts from CO2 and waste organics through microbial electrosynthesis". |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Sustainable ethylene production on Teesside |
| Organisation | North East of England Process Industry Cluster |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Conduct a techno-economic and environmental assessment based on detailed process simulations for selected routes, with a focus on high technology readiness level and using ethylene from ethane crackers and bioethanol as benchmarks |
| Collaborator Contribution | Identify and map waste feedstocks that could potentially be processed to produce ethylene then create potential supply-chain maps |
| Impact | collaboration ongoing no firm outputs beyond relationship building and case study definition at this point |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Sustainable production of chemicals |
| Organisation | Unilever |
| Department | Unilever UK R&D Centre Port Sunlight |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | This collaboration is focused on identifying new pathways for the production of valuable chemicals, which are key components for home care products from renewable and waste derived sources. The main pathway involves the high throughput synthesis and screening of heterogeneous catalysts that are responsible for the conversion of the waste sources to chemicals. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Identifies the targeted chemicals and contributes to the analysis of the outputs from the catalytic reactions. |
| Impact | An iCase Phd Studentship on the accelerated discovery of catalysts that convert CO2 to long chain alcohols. A Prosperity Partnership research grant. Title "Cleaner Futures (Next-Generation Sustainable Materials for Consumer Products)" - Budget £5M. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | BBC Radio Five Live Interview |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Professor Peter Styring represented the Centre and talked about the shortage of carbon dioxide and how this affects the chemical sector, live on the BBC radio show 'Your Call', as part of the 5 Live Breakfast radio show. You can listen via the link below, from 17.04-27.03 minutes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.globalplayer.com/catchup/lbc/uk/b8FPjS1/ |
| Description | CE Hotspot Catalonia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Centre Research Associate Melissa Marques participated in the CE Hotspot Catalonia in November 2021. The four-day event was attended by over 500 participants from around the globe. It was an opportunity to visit BASF and a water treatment company, listen from chemical recycling initiatives happening in the largest chemical park in Southern Europe, make connections, and represent the Centre to dozens of small and large firms, government representatives, and academics. The event was a great success, pushing the circle economy forward in Europe. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.cehotspot.cat/ |
| Description | COP26 EXPLAINER: How a circular economy in the chemical industry can help reach global carbon targets |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | In a new Loughborough University video, our Centre Director, Professor Jin Xuan, an expert in low carbon processes and the Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering, discusses why countries must turn their focus towards this sector. Prof Jin Xuan outlined the Centre's vision and the Centre's importance. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.lboro.ac.uk/media-centre/press-releases/2021/november/circular-economy-cop-explainer-jin... |
| Description | Can you use CO2 to make products |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Extended interview with BBC Radio Coventry on the 'Vickipedia' daytime show. Discussed how a circular economy could be created by recycling waste carbon dioxide to produce sustainable polymers, fuels and construction materials. 24 February 2022. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Cardiff Catalysis Institute Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | We participate with posters and talks to the Cardiff Catalysis Institute annual conference. The topics presented are related to catalysts design, clean hydrogen and environment, biomass conversion as well as their implementation for a circular economy. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017,2018,2019,2020,2021 |
| Description | Cardiff Chemistry Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The School of Chemistry organises an open event every year to expose scientific progress in the field. We commonly present posters in the field of clean energy, sustainable environment and circular economy. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018,2019,2020,2021 |
| Description | Circular Economy and Me Blog Series |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | The Circular Economy and Me Blog Series was created as an opportunity for our Centre's early career researchers to showcase their work and interests. Our Blog series is set on our Centre website and a new blog is shared in each of our e-newsletters which currently has over 250 subscribers. We aim to share the blogs with a diverse audience to increase awareness of our Centre and improve the understanding of our research, ambitions and achievements. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.circular-chemical.org/category/circular-economy/ |
| Description | GEFI Path to COP26 Stakeholder Meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Global Ethical Finance Initiative (GEFI) is committed to making the finance sector work for COP26, and COP26 work for finance. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.pathtocop26.com/ |
| Description | Heriot-Watt University Research Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Heriot-Watt academics discuss their high-profile, high-impact research and their search for answers to combat real-world issues. 30 researches attended for our sesseion, which sparked questions and discussion afterwards. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/research-futures/heriot-watt-festival-of-research.htm |
| Description | IchemE Webinar: Engineering to Enable a Circular Chemical Economy - COP26 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | On 25th October Imeche ran an online webinar Engineering to Enable a Circular Chemical Economy - COP26. In this talk, Our Centre director Professor Jin Xuan outlined his vision with a focus on the role of engineering in tackling the challenges in the development of the circular chemical economy and, discussed why we need a whole system approach and an interdisciplinary effort to address the challenge. Professor Xuan also showed how a research-informed teaching approach is used to develop a new module on circular economy for undergraduate chemical engineering students at Loughborough University. This webinar was aimed at industry and academic (both research and teaching) interested in COP26, sustainability, net zero, circular economy and related topics in the chemical engineering community. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.icheme.org/membership/communities/special-interest-groups/education/events/25-10-21-engi... |
| Description | Industry workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Our first Industry workshop was held on 16 March 2021, with 44 attendees across 36 organisations. As well as presentations from Centre investigators and from partners, we discussed ideas for collaboration, what they want from the centre, potential case studies and suggestions for further meetings. A summary of the discussion was published in The Chemical Engineer. We had very positive response from participants and made new industry contacts. The workshop initiated a collaboration with NEPIC and Centre investigators on non-ethanol-based routes to Ethylene Oxide, a case study for Themes 2 and 3. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Insights on Innovation Article - The Future Of Carbon Dioxide |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Centre Co-I, Professor Alex Cowan has published an article in CPI's 'Insights on Innovation' discussing his work within the UKRI Interdisciplinary Centre for Circular Chemical Economy. The article focusses on how carbon capture and reuse can support net-zero manufacturing and a circular economy. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.uk-cpi.com/blog/the-future-of-carbon-dioxide |
| Description | Interdisciplinary Centre for Circular Chemical Economy Launch Event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The UKRI National Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Research (NICER) Programme formally launched on Thursday 27 May 2021. The four day event between 24th - 27th May introduced the five National Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Centres and the Circular Economy Hub (CE-Hub) which together form the NICER Programme The National Centre for Circular Chemical Economy hosted it's launch event on the 25th of May. Sir Richard Catlow, inaugurated the event by giving a keynote speech on 'Science to enable Circular Economy' which was followed by an engaging roundtable discussion on 'Circular Economy and Net Zero' hosted by the Dr Sheena Hindocha from the Knowledge Transfer Network. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDcuqbTPUGw |
| Description | Knowledge Exchange Forum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The UKRI Circular Chem Centre hosted a Knowledge Exchange Forum on the 14th of December 2021. The Forum provided a networking opportunity, and was a platform for the Center's Early Career Researchers to present their work. We extended invites to all Centre members and our industrial partners/contacts. The forum included three presentations from our Early Career Researchers on each Centre Research Theme. There was also a presentation from Chris Holt, Innovation Manager at NEPIC. Internally, we hosted an equality, diversity and inclusion workshop 'Neurodiversity in Higher Education' exclusively for our Early Career Researchers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Loughborough University AACME Annual Research Day Conference 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Preetam Sharma (Centre research associate) participated and chaired sessions within the Net-zero carbon theme at the Annual Research Day Conference 2021, held at Loughborough University. This was a much anticipated event as it was held in-person for the first time in two years and had more than 150 attendees throughout the day. The UKRI Interdisciplinary Centre for Circular Chemical Economy featured in the keynote presentation as a research highlight. Circular Economy was one of the themes of the event with several student presentations aligned with circularity and CircularChem. Ms Onyi Okoligwe, one of the Centre's doctoral student, presented her results on the conversion of municipal waste to bio-oil and biogas During Net Zero Carbon - Fuels and Aerodynamics session. There were several interesting sessions, including Net Zero Carbon - Manufacturing The future session, where discussions were based on development of materials for improving the efficiency and lifetime of coal and nuclear power plants. Net Zero Carbon Future - Jet Engine Advances focused on improving the design of the jet engines to make the air-travel more sustainable. There were also panel discussions on electrochemistry, focused on direct ethanol fuel cell, formic acid fuel cell and solid oxide fuel cells. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.lboro.ac.uk/research/aacme-research-day/ |
| Description | Mazharul M Islam conferences |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Energy, Climate Change and Sustainable Development" held on 11-12 Feb 2022 at the Stamford University Campus, Dhaka, Bangladesh - Green Energy Development in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Lessons from the Developed World - STEM Education for Raising Awareness in Green Energy Generation and Remediation of Environmental Pollution Gladstone Primary School, Cathays, Cardiff; Students and teachers have learnt about Chemistry and Chemicals, about waste managements. Science Festival to be held in Newton, Wales in September 2022. International Conference Organization; Website: "https://ben-global.net/conference-announcement-2022-2/" |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | NEPIC Plastic Recycling Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Our Centre engagement Lead, Dr Libby Gibson (Newcastle University), PhD student Ben Lyons (Imperial College London) and Justina Heslop (Newcastle University) attended the NEPIC Plastic Recycling Workshop on 24th November 2021 held at NEPIC HQ in Teesside. It was great to come together to discuss the plastics recycling landscape, the challenges and opportunities companies face, and the regional development steps going forward. Ahmet Onur Agca, Innovation Manager at NEPIC delivered the first presentation showcasing the research NEPIC and Durham University have conducted across the plastics recycling community on Teesside. His presentation on Supply Chain Integration in the Plastic Recycling Industry, done in association with Durham University Business School aimed to strengthen the capabilities of the plastics recycling sector in the North East region by developing a supply chain integration framework. This was a timely presentation which aligns with future road mapping work the UKRI Centre for Circular Chemical Economy will be undertaking. The meeting provided a good opportunity to network with industry and academia and strengthened our links with NEPIC and industry in the Teesside cluster. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.nepic.co.uk/blog/memberposts/nepic-showcases-research-at-plastics-recycling-supply-chain... |
| Description | NICER Programme Webinar Series: Circular Business Models |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A key outcome and impact of the NICER programme is to increase the "Direct application and implementation of CE practices, business models, technologies and solutions leading to resource productivity + GVA improvements. In this 3rd NICER programme webinar series invited speakers from the CE-hub and individual Centres will share their perspectives on what we mean by the term business model, some business model taxonomy, state of evidence on how and why CE BMs succeed or fail and some of the key research challenges related to design and implementation. This will be followed by a discussion and Q and A. The event will be followed up by a short position paper which will form the basis for feedback and further ideas for cross programme activities to promote CE Business models. I have discussed our business case studies which attracted questions during the panel disussions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/circular-business-models-nicer-programme-webinar-registration-1685950... |
| Description | Policy Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | 60 participants attended an online workshop on the Circular Chemical Economy. There were a number of keynote presentations at the event which was co-hosted by WRAP, followed by a number of breakout sessions with reporting back to the audience. A policy document is being developed based on the outcomes of the event. The event was described as 'inspirational' by external attendees. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Reflections on COP26 Policy Paper |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Policy Briefing document has been written and is in the final stages of proofing before release. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | SME Engagement Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | An SME-focused Workshop was held on 8 September 2021, timed to align with launch of Innovate UK competition. We had attendance from Innovate UK (Amy Peace) to provide context to the call. The aim was to engage with SMEs and co-create collaborative research proposals for Innovate UK funding calls and possible Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. A Pre-workshop-questionnaire was completed so that we could shape the event and survey views/knowledge of chemical recycling. The organisers had a number of meetings with Arrow (business support initiative at Newcastle University) to scope out potential SME engagement opportunities. This helped connect us with several partners prior to the 2021 Innovate UK call, notably Wastefront who we have established a legal agreement to collaborate on developing their technology. Following the meeting, 53 SMEs contacted us, which were followed up individually and those projects which aligned with the Centre's mission were submitted with letters of support from the Centre PI. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://circularchemsmeworkshop.meeting-mojo.com/ |
| Description | STEM ambassador - Mazharul M Islam School Visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Centre research associate Mazharul M Islam visited a primary school as a STEM ambassador on 9th Feb 2022. He conducted a Potions activity among year 5 pupils and helped them to measure pH. He also taught them the consequences of plastic wastes. There were 25 pupils and two teachers present and the activity sparked lots of questions and discussions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Sino-UK Workshop on Biomass Conversion and Utilisation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Dr Swathi Mukundan a research associate from Loughborough University represented the UKRI circular economy centre and shared her research work at the 'Sino-UK Workshop on Biomass Conversion and Utilisation' held at Liverpool on Dec 10th and 11th 2021. This workshop was conducted as a part of Newton Fund Researcher Links that provides opportunities for early career researchers from the UK and China to exchange ideas and to develop potential research collaborations. The workshop was hosted by Prof. Xin Tu from the University of Liverpool jointly with Prof. Hanping Chen, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China. There were 20 early career researchers from the UK present at Liverpool and the workshop happened in a hybrid form with the participants from China joining online. There were more than 200 participants and 43 presentations covering topics on biomass and waste plastic valorisation routes for H2, chemicals, and biochar production. A panel discussion was organised to discuss international collaborations, post-workshop activities and career development for ECRs. After the workshop, a Linkedin networking page was created by the organiser to connect the participants from both the UK and China sides. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://ukchinabiomass.wordpress.com/media/ |
| Description | The Chemical Engineer Magazine Article - Towards a Circular Chemical Economy: Stakeholders' Perspectives |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | On 28th October 2021 an article was published in The Chemical Engineer highlighting the work and aims of the UKRI Interdisciplinary Centre for Circular Chemical Economy. The article discusses some of the progress and changes which are being made to achieve net zero and create a more sustainable future. 'In such a complex system, collaboration between all stakeholders is key to effect the required change and co-create solutions that lead to truly sustainable circular ecosystems. However, decisions on the best way forward need to be taken sooner rather than later, the chemical industry does not have time on its side.' The article included business motivations to engage with the circular chemical economy and showcased the Centre's work and areas for collaboration. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/features/towards-a-circular-chemical-economy-stakeholders-perspe... |
| Description | The Conversation Article 'How soon could carbon capture technology solve industry CO2 shortages?' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Professor Peter Styring our Policy Lead wrote an article for 'The Conversation' discussing carbon capture technology to prevent future shortages. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://theconversation.com/how-soon-could-carbon-capture-technology-solve-industry-co-shortages-168... |
| Description | The Engineer Article - Loughborough Leads Zero Carbon Loss Biomanufacturing Project |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | On 7th January Centre Director, Professor Jin Xuan contributed to an article in The Engineer. The article focussed on a Loughborough University-led project within the Centre which aims to develop a sustainable biomanufacturing system with integrated carbon capture and utilisation through a novel electrochemical approach. The project will take a whole system approach to tackle engineering problems as well as addressing wider economic, social and environmental challenges for sustainable evolution of bio-based industries. In addition to collaborating with academic partners from Imperial College and Heriot-Watt University, the project involves partners including the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN), BASF, the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and Oxford University spin-out OxCCU. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.theengineer.co.uk/loughborough-leads-zero-carbon-loss-biomanufacturing-project/ |
| Description | The Greener Manufacturing Show Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | On 11th November, our Centre's Academic Programme Lead Dr Jonathan Wagner, was invited to host a panel discussion at the Greener Manufacturing Show in Cologne, Germany, exploring how to select optimal pathways for recovering value from chemical wastes. The panel included Carlos Monreal, the CEO and Founder of Plastic Energy, one of the world's leading chemical recycling companies, Babette Pettersen, VP Europe for LanzaTech, the global market leader for gas fermentation technologies and Dr Pieter Imhof, Senior Business Developer of Circular Economy & Environment at TNO, an independent Dutch research and technology development organisation. There was consensus that there is no single solution to address the complex problem of waste treatment and chemical value recovery. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.circular-chemical.org/news/the-greener-manufacturing-show-conference/ |
| Description | The Guardian Article - From pollutant to product: the companies making stuff from CO2. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Professor Peter Styring our Centre Policy Lead recently contributed to this online article in The Guardian stressing the importance of making materials from carbon dioxide, and how the UK needs future funding and new policies to drive this change further. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/dec/05/carbon-dioxide-co2-capture-utilisation-products-... |
| Description | The Telegraph Article 'Food shortages by end of week as CO2 crisis grows'. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Professor Peter Styring our Centre Policy Lead talked to about the shortage of carbon dioxide and carbon capture in an online article for the Daily Telegraph. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/09/20/food-shortages-end-week-co2-crisis-grows/ |
| Description | UK-Brazil Newton Fund Researcher Links Workshop on Sustainable Chemical Approaches for CO2 Reduction |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Prof Peter Styring (University of Sheffield), Dr Preetam Sharma (Loughborough University), and Dr Bhavin Siritanaratkul (University of Liverpool) participated in a Newton fund Researcher Links Workshop on Sustainable Chemical Approaches for CO2 Reduction. The workshop was hosted at Leeds University between 14th-16th Dec 2021 by Prof Nora H. de Leeuw and Dr David Santos-Carballal. Originally intended as an on-site workshop in Brazil to promote collaborations, the workshop was held in a hybrid manner due to uncertainties of travel amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. The UK participants, around 20 early career researchers, gathered in Leeds and were linked online to the participants in Brazil. Prof Styring (Centre Co-I) delivered a keynote talk on the big-picture view of CO2 utilization, and the necessity of Techno-Economic Analysis and Life-Cycle Assessments in evaluating potential technologies. He also emphasised the need of fiscal interventions and whole-system approach for the accelerated development and commercialisation of the field. Dr Siritanaratkul (Centre Research Associate) presented work on an enzyme cascade for CO2 reduction, coupled to electrochemical cofactor regeneration, which was conducted during his DPhil with Prof Fraser A. Armstrong. Dr Sharma (Centre Research Associate) presented his ongoing work on electrochemical CO2 reduction to generate multi-carbon production using nanoengineered Cu cathodes. The work is being performed under the UKRI Centre for Circular Chemical Economy with Prof Eileen Yu (Centre Co-I). There was a focus on career development, funding opportunities and international collaborations for the early career researchers. Overall, the workshop provided a fantastic opportunity to network with several researchers in UK and Brazil who are working on (photo)electrochemical CO2 utilisation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.circular-chemical.org/news/sustainable-chemical-approaches-for-co2-reduction/ |
| Description | UKRI Interdisciplinary Centre for Circular Chemical Economy Animation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | We worked with 'Science Animation' to create an animation which introduces our Centre and outlines the importance of the research we are doing. The animation was created with the general public in mind so that it can be understood by a wide audience. The animation has been shared on our many social media channels and is embedded onto our website, it has received very positive feedback from a variety of different audiences. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=118zzkiIi-U |
| Description | UKRI Interdisciplinary Centre for Circular Chemical Economy Newsletters |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | We create content and share quarterly Centre e-newsletters with all of our industrial contacts and our vast Centre network. We currently have over 265 subscribers with diverse backgrounds which we keep updated with upcoming events, research progress and engagement opportunities. We also use our newsletter to advertise events for our NICER partnering Centre's and industrial partners. We have a newsletter subscription button on our Centre website which has been successful in reaching a wider audience. We have received expressions of interest for events and have seen positive engagement with our externally facing newsletters. We also regularly send out internal newsletters to keep our team members across the seven institutions up to date with our progress and activities. We have found this is a useful method of communication and promotes cross theme collaborations and networking within the Centre. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
| Description | UKRI Interdisciplinary Centre for Circular Chemical Economy Social Media Channels |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | We have created a Centre Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube channel. These social media platforms have been great networking tools and have allowed us to reach a wide and diverse audience. We use these platforms to advertise Centre recruitment, events and share our research. We also use the platforms to share other Centre's events and achievements. https://twitter.com/CircularChem?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor https://www.linkedin.com/company/ukri-circularchem |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUzWLM73Uz2Rbn6jXxVKwdA |
| Description | UKRI Interdisciplinary Centre for Circular Chemical Economy Website |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | We have launched the UKRI Interdisciplinary Centre for Circular Chemical Economy Website. This platform contains detailed information on our research themes, who we currently work with and our vision. We also have profiles for all of our Centre team including our Strategic Advisory Board members. We use the website to advertise upcoming events and share relevant news from our Centre and Centre partners. We have also created a blog series called 'Circular Economy and Me' which features on our website. When receiving interest from SME's for the recent IUK funding call it was useful to have information on our research themes easily accessible on our website to help with proposals. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
| URL | https://www.circular-chemical.org/ |
| Description | Welsh Government briefing: CO2 circular economy |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | A group of 8 cross-disciplinary academics met and discuss with Malcolm Davies at Welsh Government regarding strategies to establish a sustainable circular economy and waste management in the Welsh region. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |