Wilton to host "pivotal moment" for UK chemical industry

June 2nd 2025

The Wilton Centre is hosting a major event in June described as “a pivotal moment” in the transformation of the UK chemical industry.

Leaders from industry and government, as well as academics and investors, will be coming together at the site in Redcar to explore how to accelerate the transition towards a more sustainable, circular and globally competitive chemicals sector.

“The decisions made and direction taken this year will set the shape of the UK chemical industry for the next 20 years,” said Graeme Cruickshank, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), who will be speaking at the event.

He added: “Embedding sustainability and innovation into the heart of those decisions is absolutely essential for the UK to realise its potential and deliver a thriving economy throughout the 21st Century.”

“Reimagining Carbon & Defossilising the UK Chemicals Industry” takes place on 12 June and has been organised by the Wilton Centre’s operator Pioneer Group in partnership with the government-backed Innovate UK Business Connect.

Its role is to facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange between businesses, researchers and policymakers to accelerate innovation and drive economic growth and at the event it will launch its new Sustainable Chemicals Innovation Network.

Throughout the day there will be keynote presentations, expert panels and interactive workshops. It will be hosted by Dr Jen Vanderhoven, the Chief Operating Officer of the Biobased and Biodegradable Industries Association.
“This event is a pivotal moment for anyone committed to transforming the UK chemicals industry,” she said.

“By bringing together innovators, policymakers, and investors, we’re not just discussing sustainability—we’re actively building the networks and strategies needed to shift from fossil to sustainable carbon sources. It’s a unique opportunity to help shape a greener, more resilient industrial future.”

“Reimagining Carbon & Defossilising the UK Chemicals Industry” is free to attend but spaces are limited and anybody wishing to go – particularly business leaders, policymakers and researchers – should register via the Pioneer website Events - Pioneer Group

It is the first in a series of Pioneer Presents events at Wilton Centre this year. On 1 September the subject will be “Building with Biology: Bio-based Materials for Retrofit & New Build” followed by the UK Sustainable Chemicals Summit on 18 November.

As well as the Redcar site, Pioneer - a leading developer of life science ecosystems, integrating R&D infrastructure, venture investment and support – operates another 11 sites across the UK and Ireland.

There will be opportunities at each Pioneer Presents to network and also be taken on a tour of the Wilton Centre, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Earlier this year it was given planning permission for the Wilton Freeport Development: nearly 150,000 sq. ft of new technical/manufacturing space, laboratories and offices.