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:
- Synthesis and catalysis. Materials chemistry, including formulated products, polymers and composites
- Digitalisation of manufacturing and R&D operations – for increased productivity
- Exploitation of Industrial Biotechnology and Engineering Biology (often called Synthetic Biology) for improved products and low carbon processes.
Our current focus in this area
Related Opportunities
Eureka GlobalStars Japan 2026
Opens: 13/10/2025 Closes: 21/01/2026
UK organisations can apply for funding to collaborate on industrial research projects with partners in Japan and Eureka member countries.
More Information
Innovation Exchange challenge: Enhanced thermally conductive backfill for underground HV cables
Opens: 05/01/2026 Closes: 02/03/2026
This challenge aims to discover more effective solutions to imported thermally conductive sand for backfilling high-voltage cable installations.
More Information
Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP): 2025 – 2026 Round 5
Opens: 01/12/2025 Closes: 04/02/2026
UK registered academic institutions, RTOs or Catapults, working with businesses or not for profits, can apply for a share of up to £10m.
More Information
Related Events and Recordings
Our Experts
Related News
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The Science Apprenticeship Forum: Reflections on the 2025 Conference by Apprentices
The Science Apprenticeship Conference is designed specifically for science apprentices and aims to connect apprentices and celebrate their sector-wide impact.
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16/09/2025
Cohort Announcement for the Battery & Critical Materials Investment Readiness Programme 2025
Innovate UK Business Connect is delighted to announce the onboarding of 21 companies onto its Batteries and Critical Materials Investment Readiness Programme.