The CIA Sustainability Conference 2025 brought together professionals from across the UK chemical industry to explore how collaboration, innovation and data are shaping the path to a more sustainable future.

Rosanna Greenwood explored how companies can unlock the true power of sustainability data to drive strategic decision-making. She addressed emerging industry expectations, tackle real-world challenges in data management, and showcased proven approaches to delivering transparent, credible reporting that fuels impactful and lasting change.

Adrian outlined the key challenges facing the sector and present a new packaging solution Futamura is driving in the market. He showcased two major projects transforming their manufacturing processes: re-writing viscose chemistry to enhance sustainability and converting waste gas into fuel and materials (WSA with IETF). Adrian also shared insights on greening processes and offered his perspective on advancing a low-carbon future in the chemical industry.

David Kipling examined the geopolitical dimensions of energy and their implications for industrial net zero strategies. He shared practical insights on decentralised energy solutions and long-term resilience planning.

Kirstie Simpson, Dean and Associate Professor at the University of Chester Business School; Harry Holt, Sustainability & ESG Lead at Victrex; Graham Lightfoot, Senior Researcher at Johnson Matthey; Daniel Rhymer, Research Fellow at University of Birmingham with Aquapak Polymers.

Nick Cliffe explored how Innovate UK is accelerating packaging innovation across the supply chain. He spotlighted pioneering materials, system-level redesign, and the policy landscape shaping the next generation of sustainable packaging.

Berk Büyükbas offered an expert view on ensuring traceability and integrity in sustainable supply chains. He outlined the growing role of certification in enabling credible claims, compliance and investor confidence in low-carbon transition pathways.

Neil Everett will provided a high-level overview of regulatory trends and stakeholder expectations around ethical sourcing. He discussed how chemical companies can operationalise human rights due diligence and build resilient, transparent supply chains.

Dr Ward outlined the UK Government’s strategic vision for industrial decarbonisation and defossilisation of the chemical sector. He highlighted key levers including CCUS, electrification, hydrogen and low-carbon product markets in delivering a just, competitive transition.

1/8

show caption

Held in Leeds and chaired by Helen Coy, Global Senior Sustainability Manager at Innospec, the event focused on turning ambition into action. Sponsors and exhibitors including Hynamics, Novalux, PINZ, Castle Water, RWE, SLR, On-site Energy and Geosyntec showcased technologies supporting the move towards a lower carbon economy.

Speakers throughout the day shared a clear message that progress relies on turning knowledge, skills and collaboration into practical results. SLR Consulting’s Rosanna Greenwood and Neil Everett discussed the growing complexity of sustainability reporting and supply chain regulation, calling for a more strategic approach to managing data and human rights risks.

The ChemTalent Network panel turned attention to the workforce of the future, bringing together Kirstie Simpson from the University of Chester, Harry Holt of Victrex, Graham Lightfoot of Johnson Matthey and Daniel Rhymer from the University of Birmingham. The panellists highlighted the importance of communication, digital skills and adaptability to attract and develop new talent, and spoke about how collaboration between industry and academia can help prepare the next generation of professionals.

Policy and competitiveness were also in focus. Dr Edmund Ward from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero set out the government’s direction on industrial decarbonisation, stressing the role of electrification, hydrogen and carbon capture. Continuing the theme, On-site Energy’s David Kipling addressed the challenge of high UK energy costs and highlighted the benefits of behind-the-meter generation using hydrogen, solar and combined heat and power.

Innovation remained central to the discussion, with Innovate UK’s Nick Cliffe and ISCC PLUS’s Berk Büyükbaş showcasing technologies and certification systems enabling progress in packaging and feedstocks. Case studies from GSK and Futamura showed how new processes and materials are already improving efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

The CIA Sustainability Conference 2025 reflected an industry focused on collaboration and practical solutions. Thank you to all our speakers and exhibitors for taking part in this event. We hope to see you again in our 2026 Sustainability Conference event.

 

Topics