On March 6, 2025, the UK Catalysis Hub Phase III launch event marked a significant milestone, celebrating the Hub’s achievements since its inception in 2013 and unveiling ambitious plans for the next seven years. This reflects both the strategic importance of catalysis to the UK and the opportunity created by the academic and industrial community working together across disciplines enabled by the Hub.
Catalysis is the cornerstone of numerous industrial processes, spanning chemicals, pharmaceuticals, energy, and sustainable manufacturing. The Hub’s support for discovery research across the country will play a key role in meeting the UK’s Net Zero targets, addressing global challenges in energy, resource efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
Hub III Leadership and Strategic Focus
Prof. Charlotte Williams FRS (Statutory Chair in Inorganic Chemistry, Oxford University, Director, UK Catalysis Hub III) provided an overview of the Hub’s vision to drive discovery science and engineering challenges in catalysis for sustainability and net zero technologies. The Hub’s focus areas include COâ and Nâ activation, biocatalysis, polymer recycling, methane activation, and selective oxidationâkey processes for decarbonising critical sectors. Phase III will support postdoctoral researchers on multidisciplinary collaborative projects, as well as offering a new Flexible Fund. The Flexible Fund will offer short-term proof-of-concept support for early-career researchers, industry feasibility studies, and research secondments, strengthening national and international partnerships. The Hub will continue to support collaboration in catalysis research with national facilities at Harwell, including Diamond Light Source, the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, and the Central Laser Facility.
Strategic Insights
The event featured a series of high-profile talks, beginning with Dr. Katie Blaney (Deputy Director for Science, EPSRC), who emphasized the UKRI strategic priorities for sustainable science and the critical role of catalysis in achieving Net Zero. She highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary discovery research and ongoing investment in catalysis to drive sustainable innovation and economic growth.
Prof. Julia Sutcliffe (Chief Scientific Adviser, Department for Business and Trade) provided a government perspective on the strategic value of catalysis in boosting economic growth, supporting industrial decarbonisation, and enabling technological advancements. She underscored that catalysis is central to achieving emission reduction targets and strengthening the UK’s competitive position in global markets.
Dr. Cathy Dwyer (Managing Director, Drochaid Research Services) explored the importance of catalysis to UK industry, detailing how it drives efficiency, cost reduction, and product development across key sectors. She stressed the need for translating research into industrial impact and fostering deeper collaboration between academia and industry.
International Perspective on Catalysis
Prof. Dr. Walter Leitner (Max Planck Institute) provided a compelling international perspective on the critical role of catalysis in addressing global ecological challenges. He emphasized that innovation in catalysis is essential for promoting sustainability, particularly through recycling and the use hydrogen to reduce environmental impact. Prof. Leitner highlighted the importance of addressing carbon debt and fostering sustainable practices to ensure a better future. He also discussed the need to reshape systems through renewable energy integration with catalysis to enhance resource utilization and sustainability. The presentation reinforced the importance of the Hub III agenda by highlighting key technical goals.
Strengthening Research Infrastructure and relationships with Facilities
John Hand (Director, Research Complex at Harwell), Dr. Philip King (Associate Director, ISIS Neutron and Muon Source), and Prof. Paul Donaldson (Future Leaders Fellow, Central Laser Facility) discussed the strategic relationship between the Hub and the Harwell campus. They outlined how access to world-class facilities, including neutron, muon, and laser sources, is accelerating research breakthroughs and bolstering the UK’s research infrastructure.
Translating Research into Commercial Applications
Dr. Peter Clark (Head of Chemistry & Industrial Biotechnology at Innovate UK Business Connect) addressed the growth opportunities for defossilising the UK chemical industry, noting the impact of recent reports involving the Hub community and the central role of catalysis.
Looking Ahead: Building on Strong Foundations
The UK Catalysis Hub Phase III seeks to build on its strong community and track record. Over the next seven years, we aim to support discovery science, foster interdisciplinary collaborations, and provide the science needed to enable the UK’s transition to a Net Zero economy. With a focus on early-career support, flexible funding for high-risk/high-reward projects, and strategic industry partnerships, the Hub seeks to ensure the UK remains a global leader in catalysis research and innovation.
Reception drinks were kindly sponsored by University College London
© UK Catalysis Hub. Photography by Daniel Jones
www.danieljonesphotography.co.uk