Top ten achievements
1. Leaders in technical strategy
Twenty specialist subject groups across all branches of chemical and process engineering steer the Institution’s technical strategy. Activities are underpinned by IChemE's Technical Roadmap for 21st Century Chemical Engineering, which was revised in late 2012 by the document Chemical Engineering Matters that addresses the challenges faced across four areas of our society today.
2. Pioneers in process safety
IChemE's Safety Centre leads the Institution's highly regarded portfolio of process safety training, guidance and publications. The Safety Centre is led by Chartered Chemical Engineer and Chair of the Health and Safety Executive, Judith Hackitt CBE. This year will see the first applications of a new professional qualification, Professional Process Safety Engineer, to accredit experts in the process safety field.
3. World class conferences
Attracting delegates and speakers from around the globe, IChemE events and conferences are key dates within the process communities. Major events in 2013 include Hazards Asia Pacific on 16-18 April, the 9th European Congress of Chemical Engineering & 2nd European Congress of Applied Biotechnology on 21-25 April, and the Catalysis and Chemical Engineering conference on 4 June. IChemE will also be launching a new biomass conference - Deliverying Low Carbon Energy from Biomass on 2 May and the inaugural Hazards Australasia on 26-27 November.
4. Chemical engineering publishing excellence
IChemE journals, including Chemical Engineering Research and Design, were first published in 1923 and are the official journals of the European Federation of Chemical Engineering (EFCE). The Chemical Engineer (tce) magazine celebrated its 800th issue in 2008 and the Loss Prevention Bulletin remains a leading source of international process safety case studies.
5. Award winning careers campaign
Since the launch of whynotchemeng in 2001, applications and admissions to study chemical engineering at UK universities have doubled. There are now a record number of students studying chemical engineering in the UK with figures rising to 2201 in 2012, where there was over 13,500 applications to study chemical engineering. IChemE also supported the Big Bang young scientists and engineers fair and the work of the Science Council and Engineering UK.
6. Recognising innovation and achievement
IChemE Awards have been recognising international chemical engineering innovation and achievement since 1994. This year’s awards will be presented at the De Vere Whites, Bolton UK, 7 November, where we are expecting a record number of guests.
7. Policy campaigns
IChemE launched a campaign to boost the number of female experts at the senior level of the profession. We also campaigned against strict migration rules, which harm universities and industry.
8. An international institution
IChemE has offices in Australia, China, Malaysia, New Zealand and the UK and members in over 120 countries. IChemE also has strong ties with key international partners.
9. Record membership levels
At the end of 2012, IChemE had over 37,000 members, and has enjoyed year-on-year growth every year since 1973.
10. Over 50 years of chartered status
The only Institution to award Chartered Chemical Engineer status, IChemE has awarded over 11,500 members Chartered status since being granted the Royal Charter in 1957.