Chemistry

By 2050 our industry will have embraced a circular economy and be using different feedstocks, technologies and energy sources to produce chemicals. The Innovate UK Business Connect Chemistry team can help you navigate these changes and identify innovation that will ensure your business, research or service remains sustainable.

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Innovate UK Business Connect works with all sectors that use chemicals or chemistry in their business. These include:

  • UK Chemical Manufacturers
  • “Chemistry-using” Sectors – where chemistry is critical to the business, e.g. Pharmaceuticals, Home & Personal Care, Agrochemicals, Fuels and Energy
  • Innovative companies (particularly SMEs and start-ups) and leading academics developing technologies and solutions for a Net Zero future

Innovate UK Business Connect uses sector knowledge to help businesses innovate through providing access to connections and collaborations as well as expertise and funding.

We can also help with innovation related to:

Our current focus in this area

Sustainable Aviation Fuel Innovation Programme

Accelerating the development of UK’s SAF industry and enabling UK Government to achieve 10% SAF in the UK jet fuel mix by 2030. By fostering innovation and collaboration across industry, the SAF IP is building the supply chain, enabling new fuel development and demystifying the SAF landscape.

Sustainable bio-based Materials and Manufacture (SusBioMM)

The sustainable bio-based materials and manufacture (SusBioMM) programme seeks to address the challenge of developing innovations in sustainable and scalable biomanufacturing processes.

Resource Efficiency for Materials and Manufacturing (REforMM)

The programme aims for the UK to be a leader in resource efficiency with organisations understanding the environmental, social and economic impact of the full lifecycle and thriving from adoption of resource efficient solutions which are fundamental to UK and global Net Zero ambitions.

Circular Critical Materials Supply Chains

The CLIMATES programme supports the development of resilient, UK-based supply chains for rare earth elements. It aims to strengthen collaboration across sectors and build robust, circular supply chains ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical materials.

Related Opportunities

Sustainable Chemical Supply Chains and Engineering Biology Innovation Exchange

Closing Soon

Opens: 11/05/2026

Closes: 15/06/2026

An Innovation Exchange (iX) inviting industry led challenges to strengthen sustainable and resilient chemical supply chains through collaboration.
More information

Battery innovation feasibility studies round 2

Opens: 09/04/2026

Closes: 27/05/2026

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £25 million for innovation in battery technologies for electrification.
More information

Battery innovation concept development round 2

Opens: 09/04/2026

Closes: 27/05/2026

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £25 million to support innovation in battery grade material technologies for electrification.
More information

Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure 2: Alternative Fuels

Opens: 26/03/2026

Closes: 16/09/2026

Up to £150m total funding across 3 strands: this strand will fund the development and build of innovative alternative fuel vessels and accompanying port refuelling infrastructure.
More information

National Materials Innovation Programme: Feasibility studies Rd 2

Opens: 04/05/2026

Closes: 24/06/2026

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £2 million for feasibility studies. These studies aim to speed the translation of advanced materials innovations in three prioritised high growth themes and one strategic opportunity theme.
More information

Technology enabled scrap inspection and residual quantification to enable low-carbon, circular steelmaking

Opens: 28/04/2026

Closes: 05/06/2026

Tata Steel UK invites innovators to provide solutions for real‑time digital scrap inspection, identification of coatings/contamination, and quantification of residual elements to support high‑quality, low‑residual EAF steelmaking.
More information
View All Funding Opportunities

Related Events and Recordings

Wed
15
Oct
2025

Materials & Manufacturing Show and Tell Series, autumn 2025

12.00 - 13.00 | Online

Watch recordings
Wed
30
Jul
2025

Materials & Manufacturing Show and Tell Series, summer 2025

12.00 - 13.00 BST | Online

Watch now
Mon
22
Jan
2024

Mission Innovation: Integrated Biorefineries programme

12.00 - 14.00 GMT | Online

Watch now
See all events

Our Experts

Michael Burnett

Knowledge Transfer Manager - Process Manufacturing

Contact Michael Burnett
Michael Burnett

Sheena Hindocha

Head of Clean Energy and Built Environment

Contact Sheena Hindocha
Sheena Hindocha

Dr Matthew Reeves

Knowledge Transfer Manager - Critical Materials

Contact Dr Matthew Reeves
Dr Matthew Reeves
Sustainable carbon ambition for the UK chemicals industry
Posted on: 30/08/2024

Sustainable carbon ambition for the UK chemicals industry

Read More
Growing the UK Sustainable Aviation Fuel supply chain
Posted on: 15/10/2025

Growing the UK Sustainable Aviation Fuel supply chain

Read More

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For general enquiries regarding our Chemistry sector contact us now

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