Our Chemicals Manager, Emily Mills, has the latest chemical industry insights for you, covering key developments, market trends and expert analysis from across the market. Read below for your fortnightly source of chemical industry updates, designed to keep you informed and ahead of the latest changes within the sector.

What we are seeing in the market:

• The job market continues to be challenging, with ongoing economic pressure, particularly in Europe and the UK, leading to more cautious hiring.
• We are seeing stronger demand for experienced technical talent, particularly experienced chemists with industry-specific expertise. In contrast, the market remains significantly more challenging for generalist laboratory chemists and early-career candidates.
• Across all chemistry disciplines, analytical chemistry skills remain in high demand, with many employers continuing to seek candidates who have experience in HPLC, GC, ICP and LC-MS.
• The main skills shortage we are seeing is among chemists with 5-10 years of experience, with a particular difficulty in hiring for roles such as Technical Managers, Senior Formulation Chemists and R&D Leaders.

Many of the developments featured in this month’s industry news reinforce these hiring trends. Whilst businesses remain cautious about increasing headcount, continued investment in innovation, sustainability, advanced manufacturing and regulatory compliance is driving demand for specialist expertise. Government support for the UK chemicals sector, growth in AI-driven chemistry solutions and ongoing investment in circular economy initiatives, all point to a market that is investing selectively in future growth.

Key industry news:

The Government has stepped in to back the long-term resilience of the UK’s chemicals and ceramics industries, announcing new funding packages to support the long-term resilience of the ceramics and chemicals sectors, worth £120 million and £350 million respectively.

Major investments:

• Chemical Solutions Group (CSG), an independent Irish chemicals company, has acquired UK-based Resource Chemicals. According to CSG, the acquisition will significantly expand its presence and capabilities within the UK chemicals market.
• Major chemical companies, including BASF, Dow, LyondellBasell and SABIC, are participating in collaborative initiatives to improve plastic recycling technologies.
• AI-driven chemistry start-up, SOLVE Chemistry, has raised £4 million in seed funding to expand its work helping pharmaceutical and agrochemical manufacturers bring products to market faster, more sustainably, and at a lower cost.
• Brenntag introduces Byphar, its new biopharma-focused brand.

Regulatory news:

• HSE has launched a consultation on (RIDDOR).
• First UK REACH Candidate List consultation – The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched its first public consultation on adding 15 substances of very high concern (SVHCs) to the UK REACH Candidate List.
• This marks an important milestone in the development of the UK REACH regime following Brexit.

As always, if you’d like to discuss the market, your hiring plans or your next career move within the chemicals sector, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.