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.
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 web sites, events staged by local sections, and activities for schools run by external organisations.
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.
The results were collected and report on the results of all six schools sent to each school. The report is now available to download.
Community
We are always looking for new members who are keen to get involved and to help organise our activities. If you would like to find out more please contact the Secretary.
We also encourage you to connect with us on LinkedIn.
How to Join
RSC members can join the Speciality Chemicals Sector by updating their details in the “My communities and subscriptions” tab of the online RSC membership area. Please click here to login and add to your list of Interest Groups.
Quick links
Forthcoming events
Forthcoming events organised by the Speciality Chemicals Sector.
Contact the Secretary
For further information on the Speciality Chemicals Sector you can contact the Secretary, Dr Sophie Purser MRSC.
Support for interest groups
Useful information and resources for all RSC interest groups.
Speciality Chemicals Sector Website
Information on the Conference Programme and Publications of the Speciality Chemicals Sector of the RSC
The Catalyst Science Discovery Centre
Catalyst is the only science centre (and museum) solely devoted to chemistry and how the products of chemistry are used in every day life - from medicines to meccano. Its key aim is to inform people of all ages about chemistry, industry and its role in our lives, past present and future.
EOSCA Website
European Oilfield Speciality Chemicals Association
Annual report 2018Committee
Chair
Dr Tom Porter FRSC
After gaining his doctorate in Organic Chemistry from the University of Salford in 1995, Tom has worked for contract research and manufacturing organisations serving the fine chemicals and pharmaceutical sectors for fourteen years, prior to joining Thomas Swan in 2010. His current position is Commercial Director – Custom Manufacturing.
Tom was elected FRSC in 2011 following his positions as Head of R&D for Contract Chemicals Ltd and Head of Technology and Operations for Piramal Healthcare Huddersfield.
Secretary
Dr Sophie Purser MRSC
Sophie Purser received both her degree and doctorate from Jesus College Oxford. Following three years of post-doctoral research in synthetic organic chemistry at the University of Bristol, she joined PhosphonicS in 2011 as a technical specialist. She became Business Development Manager in 2013 where she specialises in metal removal and recovery in the chemical industry.
Contact the secretaryTreasurer
Dr Gareth Jenkins CChem FRSC
Dr Gareth Jenkins has a degree in Chemistry and a PhD in Organic Chemistry from Imperial College London. After 20 years working throughout the contract chemistry services sector, spanning drug discovery outsourcing, process development scale and commercial manufacture of intermediates and APIs, Gareth is now Chief Scientific Officer of ARCINOVA, an agile and flexible Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation.
His interests include fine and speciality chemicals manufacture, applications of industrial biotechnology and synthetic biology, process research and development, systems process engineering and control, modelling and applications of continuous, flexible and modular chemicals manufacture.