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Chemical engineers publish progress report

07 Nov 2008 - IChemE (The Institution of Chemical Engineers) has published a progress report, detailing the implementation of its technical strategy, and the key challenges facing chemical engineers in the future. 'Driving in the right direction' outlines the activities undertaken by the Institution and its members since the publication of IChemE’s Roadmap for 21st Century Chemical Engineering in May 2008. The report was unveiled by the Institution’s Technical Vice President, Nigel Perry at ChemEng 08 in Birmingham, UK.
 
The Roadmap identified 61 projects and technical events planned by IChemE. Since then, the programme has grown to include 93 initiatives with many of the projects either in progress or complete.
 
Highlights include:
 
- Sustainability and Sustainable Chemical Technology: Preparatory work has been undertaken toward the formation of an international Engineers for Sustainable Energy forum, and an updated version of the IChemE Sustainability Metrics will be published next year.
 
- Health, Safety, Environment and public perception of risk: IChemE has reviewed and updated all of its safety training courses, incorporating greater emphasis on risk and human factors. In April 2008, IChemE staged Hazards XX – Process Safety and Environmental Protection with over 340 delegates in attendance.
 
- Energy: Later this year, IChemE publishes a Biofuels Compendium, disseminating information from key studies into biofuels. Earlier this year, IChemE President, Professor Richard Darton emphasised the Institution’s support for a mix of renewable, nuclear power and continued use of fossil fuels at the UK Parliamentary Group for Energy Studies’ summer reception.
 
- Food and Drink: IChemE has teamed up with the Royal Society of Chemistry to produce The Vital Ingredient – Chemical Science and Engineering for Sustainable Food. The Institution has also submitted evidence to the UK Government consultations on policy and research funding of science in food production and agriculture.
 
- Water: IChemE members in Australia have published a water green paper, setting out the challenges of sustainable metropolitan water supply. The Institution again worked with the RSC to present to the UK Council for Science and Technology Water Group as part of an ongoing review into the UK water industry.
 
- Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering: IChemE Subject Groups have staged technical events on pollution abatement, sustainable processes and innovation within the bioprocessing sectors.

Further information: http://www.icheme.org/technicalroadmap