Speciality Chemicals Sector

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Purpose and scope

The Speciality Chemicals Sector is one of the RSC's many Interest Groups. The Interest Groups are member driven groups which exist to benefit RSC members, and the wider chemical science community, in line with the RSC's strategy and charter.

Aims

  • To promote the development and application of speciality chemicals, both within the RSC and externally.
  • To act as a focal point for the applications of chemistry within the speciality chemicals industry.
  • To provide consultation to the RSC in relation to speciality chemicals.
  • To work with RSC Groups to ensure collaboration on speciality chemical matters and events.
  • To interact with other Groups which have an interest in the speciality chemicals industry in order to facilitate a multi- or inter-disciplinary approach to chemistry in that industry, and meet the needs of professional practice in the modern industrial environment.
  • To promote more effective integration at the industry-academia interface.
  • To build links with external organisations which operate in the area of speciality chemicals.

Benefits of joining this group

  • Advance notice of relevant events, meetings and conferences and courses
  • Reduced registration fees for meetings
  • Networking opportunities
  • General info of various topics associated with the interest group and related RSC Subject Communities
  • Keeps members up-to-date with current developments within the sector and promotes Continuous Professional Development

How to join

RSC members can join this interest group by updating their details in the “Manage my interest groups” section of the online RSC membership area.

Login and manage your interest groups

Get involved

Activities

  • The committee organise a number of conferences, symposia and exhibitions each year on topics relevant to our members
  • An annual sector newsletter, which contains information on future events as well as reports on past activities and other items of interest is available online 
  • The Group also promotes chemistry through supporting talks and demonstrations in primary and secondary schools, the support of science weeks and science fairs, science websites, events staged by local sections, and activities for schools run by external organisations

Forthcoming events

View forthcoming events organised by the Speciality Chemicals Sector. 

Annual report

Please get in touch with the Networks Team if you would like to be sent a copy of last year’s annual report for the Speciality Chemicals Sector. 

Zinc  - Hunting for Minerals

In 2012 the group won our International Year of Chemistry Challenge with a project centred on the metal zinc. A line of mineralisation in limestone runs through North Wales from the coast at Prestatyn, then inland through Mold and finally to Minera, near Wrexham. This has been historically exploited for lead and zinc.

Lead has a poor reputation due to its waste from mining being scattered around before the full extent of the toxicity was known. However, zinc, the historically less valuable partner, is poorly known and is a much less hazardous material for primary children’s chemistry.

Six local schools received visits explaining the history of the area, the significance of zinc and enough resources to conduct their own zinc hunt!

Experiments included:

  • The children measure zinc concentrations using colourmetric dip-strips used to test for zinc in water
  • Some children collect soil samples from their local areas and add these to water with a trace of acid
  • Other children try to find sources of zinc leachate/soil samples dripping from roofs and other galvanised parts
  • An in-school experiment involves some zinc sheet left out in the rain to drain into a beaker
  • A simple zinc-copper battery can be made using a lemon
A report of the results  was sent to each of the six schools.

Keep in touch

The group issues e-alerts which provides links to group events and other relevant information which may be of interest to you.

We also encourage you to connect with us on LinkedIn.


Committee

The committee members listed are responsible for designing programmes that will advance chemistry in the subject area, helping the RSC to meet its aims, engaging with and supporting our members.

We are always keen to welcome new members to the committee. When vacancies arise, we circulate a “Call for Committee”, where an email is sent to all members of the group to make them aware of new opportunities to join the committee.

It is important to have diverse representation on committees to consider the needs of our membership. All RSC members are welcome to stand for committee positions when vacancies are advertised.

PositionPrefixFirst NameLast NameRsc Letters
CHAIRDrMarkBarrattCSci CChem FRSC
MEMDrNikRobinsonMRSC
MEMMsSusan JaneBrench 
SECDrThomasPorterFRSC
TREASDrGarethJenkinsFRSC

Glossary for Committee Positions

 Acronym  Position
 CHAIR  Chair
 TREAS  Treasurer
 SEC  Secretary
 MEM  Member
 MEMCO  Co-opted Member

Contact the Committee

For any queries about the interest group, please contact the Committee Secretary using the contact form, accessible via the button below.

Email the Secretary

Contact us

Contact the Networks team with your queries.

Email us