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
Innovation Exchange challenge: Separation Technology to Remove Polymer Coating and Contaminants from Post-Consumer Leather
Opens: 12/11/2025 Closes: 02/01/2026
The challenge involves developing a separation technology to remove durable polymer layers from sheets of leather, leather pieces and leather fibres.
More Information
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: 18/12/2025 Closes: 19/01/2026
This challenge aims to discover more effective solutions to imported thermally conductive sand for backfilling high-voltage cable installations.
More Information
Related Events and Recordings
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Related News
27/11/2025
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.