Tuesday, 10 June 2025
A trio of Nottingham professors have been recognised for their contributions to sustainable chemistry with an award from the European Chemical Society (EuChemS).
University of Nottingham Professors Pete Licence, Sir Martyn Poliakoff and Mike George were awarded the EuChemS Sustainable Chemistry Award.
The award recognises individuals or groups who make an outstanding contribution to sustainable development by applying green and sustainable chemistry, and who promote innovation in chemistry and chemicals that will deliver clear improvements in the sustainable production and use of chemicals and chemical products. It also recognises work demonstrating that chemistry and chemicals can play a central role in delivering society’s needs, while minimising and solving environmental problems.
The Nottingham professors are leading scientists in the research of finding less hazardous processes as alternatives to those that are currently used in much of chemical manufacturing. They have also made major innovations in how sustainable chemistry is taught to students at Nottingham. Together, their team has demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation in the introduction and applications of alternative reaction techniques in basic chemical processes. Their collaborative efforts have significantly advanced scientific knowledge and provided practical solutions to some of the most pressing environmental challenges.
Professor Pete Licence is the Head of the School of Chemistry at the University of Nottingham and Director of the GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Green & Sustainable Chemistry, which demonstrates intelligent design and the application of state-of-the-art construction methods, to drive down the environmental costs of chemistry, whilst providing a safe, modern suite of laboratories that would inspire future generations to think creatively and innovate to deliver smarter, better, and more efficient chemical processes.
It’s an honour to receive this award, and very timely given the urgent priority we are placing on driving more action and innovation in sustainable chemistry as outlined in the recent Stockholm Declaration. Whilst myself and my colleagues have been part of a research community that has made great strides in creating sustainable chemistry solutions, there is more to do and we must do it now and make every atom count.
Sir Martyn Poliakoff’s pioneering research has involved applications of supercritical carbon dioxide primarily for developing environmentally benign alternative chemical processes. He is also a passionate science communicator, reaching millions through the "Periodic Videos" YouTube channel, which promotes the importance of chemistry education and sustainability viewpoints.
Myself, Pete and Mike have worked together for many years on finding new ways to approach chemistry without harming the environment, and importantly on finding interesting and exciting ways to educate and equip the next generation of scientists to build on this work further so we can reach the goal of making chemistry wholly sustainable.
Professor Mike George has carried out innovative research in the development of continuous flow techniques using photochemistry, electrochemistry and novel process analysis. His fundamental work promises to change the production of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals, making their manufacturing routes more efficient and environmentally friendly.
Developing new innovations in this field relies on teamwork and drawing on each other’s areas of knowledge and expertise. At Nottingham we are committed to delivering a range of green chemistry solutions; all of this work relies in teamwork so it’s excellent to have these efforts recognised by this award.
Story credits
More information is available from Jane Icke, Media Relations Manager for the Faculty of Science at the University of Nottingham jane.icke@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 24 in Europe and 15th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the third most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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