Global trends towards sustainability, reduced emissions and landfill avoidance are driving demand for greener products. At the same time, innovators are disrupting the traditional chemicals industry by developing bio-based chemicals which can replace and improve upon oil-based ones.
The UK is already ahead of the game. We have world-leading research in bio-based chemicals in our universities, start-ups and corporate research and development. With the right support, we are perfectly positioned to become a leading global bio-based chemicals player; without it, our research and development will probably be commercialised elsewhere.
To ensure that we lead the way in this industry, the UK needs to focus on what it knows and play to its strengths.