IBIC part of a new UK alliance for sustainable chemicals and materials (UK-ASCM)
Today marks the launch of the UK Alliance for Sustainable Chemicals and Materials (UK-ASCM), a collaborative initiative uniting industry leaders, academia, and innovation hubs to advance the UK鈥檚 sustainable chemicals and materials sector. As demand for sustainable solutions grows across all sectors, the UK-ASCM aims to position the UK at the forefront of global efforts to create environmentally responsible and economically resilient supply chains.
The UK chemicals and materials industry underpins 96% of all manufactured goods, making it indispensable to sectors like healthcare, food, energy, and technology. As a critical enabler of green growth, this sector has the potential to generate over 拢544 billion annually by 2050, supporting high-quality jobs and bolstering local economies across the UK. The UK-ASCM is committed to harnessing this potential by driving innovation, promoting circular carbon feedstocks, and reshoring production to enhance domestic resilience.
鈥淲ith the formation of the UK-ASCM, we have a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on the UK鈥檚 economic future, our environment, and our communities,鈥� said Dr Jen Vanderhoven, COO of the Biobased and Biodegradable Industries Association (BBIA) 鈥淪ustainable chemicals and materials are essential to achieving a net-zero economy and securing our industrial strength in a competitive global market.鈥�
We at IBIC, along with a diverse network of partners, are dedicated to addressing the complex challenges facing the sector, including the need for sustainable feedstocks and a circular economy. Through collaboration and shared expertise, the alliance will advance solutions that reduce dependency on fossil resources, enhance resource efficiency, and promote sustainable innovation across the industry.
鈥淪ustainable chemicals are fundamental to building a resilient, sustainable society. By bringing together leaders from industry and academia, the UK-ASCM will catalyse the research and development needed to accelerate the transition to sustainable materials,鈥� said Professor Anju Massey-Brooker, Royal Society of Chemistry.
As the global economy increasingly turns toward sustainable solutions, the UK chemicals and materials sector has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to lead the way. With strategic investments and collaborative innovation, the UK-ASCM aims to elevate the sector鈥檚 role in national and international sustainability efforts.
To achieve this step-change, UK-ASCM urges the UK Government to:
- Devise a long-term roadmap and a stable policy environment to enable investment in research, development, commercialisation and manufacture of sustainable chemicals and materials, to benefit communities across the UK and achieve green economic growth.
- Work with the chemicals and materials sector to ensure the UK landscape supports this growth, from feedstocks to infrastructure and skills, to ensure the development of resilient UK supply chains.
- Develop and implement policies shaping markets to enable the UK鈥檚 transition to sustainable chemicals and materials, including the leveraging of public procurement to create demand for sustainable chemicals and products manufactured in the UK
For more information on the UK Alliance for Sustainable Chemicals and Materials, please visit .