IChemE and chemicals sector issue joint call for the government to make a success of the industrial strategy
9th July 2025
Today, the Institution of Chemical Engineers, alongside the Chemical Industries Association, the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Society of Chemical Industry, have written to the Chancellor, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, and the Secretary of State for Education, committing to work with the government to help implement the industrial strategy, and calling on the government to make the most of the opportunities presented in the upcoming Post-16 Skills white paper.
As organisations committed to a sustainable future for UK industry underpinning growth and prosperity for all, the CIA, IChemE, RSC and SCI welcome the industrial strategy and commit to working with the government and each other to support its implementation. Chemistry and chemical engineering knowledge, skills, research and innovation are fundamental in delivering the strategy’s ambitions, across all sectors but particularly clean energy, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and defence. We welcome recognition of the role of foundational industries and especially the confirmation that chemicals are “at the core of advanced manufacturing underpinning all domestic manufacturing.” No foundational industry can function without chemistry and chemical engineering, both of which are vital for success.
We will work together and with government to help implement key recommendations from the strategy including working with employers to drive investment in training and developing sustainable, skilled workforces for their sectors. To ensure success, we call on the government, in its upcoming Post-16 Skills white paper, to:
- explicitly recognise the vital role of chemistry and chemical engineering skills in underpinning the health of the UK economy and the industrial strategy
- provide appropriate incentives for employers to support lifelong training and workforce development across their organisations and sectors
- ensure the continued viability and local availability of chemistry and chemical engineering programmes across the UK, including technician, reskilling and graduate routes.
Yvonne Baker
CEO, Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)
Steve Elliott
CEO, Chemical Industries Association (CIA)
Dr Helen Pain
CEO, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Sharon Todd
CEO, Society of Chemical Industry (SCI)
Links
Joint statement on industrial strategy - CIA, IChemE, RSC, SCI
What is chemical engineering?
Chemical, biochemical and process engineering is the application of science, mathematics and economics in the process of turning raw materials into everyday, and more specialist, products. Professional chemical engineers design, construct and manage process operations all over the world. Energy, pharmaceuticals, food and drink, synthetic fibres and clean drinking water are just some of the industry sectors and products where chemical engineering plays a central role.
IChemE
The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) advances chemical engineering's contribution for the benefit of society. We facilitate the development of chemical engineering professionals and provide connections to a powerful network of around 32,000 members in more than 100 countries.
We support our members in applying their expertise and experience to make an influential contribution to solving major global challenges, and are the only organisation permitted to award Chartered Chemical Engineer status and Professional Process Safety Engineer registration.