This year's Royal Society of Chemistry prizes celebrate exceptional achievements and ground-breaking contributions across the chemical sciences. The 2025 Environment, Sustainability and Energy Early Career Prize has been awarded to Dr Fanran Meng for his work in developing net-zero pathways for the chemical industry through emissions mapping and decarbonisation strategies. Additionally, 2025 Environment, Sustainability and Energy Horizon Prize: John Jeyes Prize recognises the collective efforts of the UKRI Interdisciplinary Centre for Circular Chemical Economy. Key academics involved in this project include Professor Peter Styring (Policy Lead and Project Co-I), Professor Jagroop Pandhal (Project Co-I), and Dr Tom Franklin (PDRA) for their contributions to advancing circular economy solutions in the UK chemical industry through chemical recycling, biomass conversion, and direct carbon dioxide reduction.
2025 Environment, Sustainability and Energy Early Career Prize: awarded for developing net-zero pathways for the chemical industry through emissions mapping and decarbonisation strategies.
Dr Fanran Meng's research helps companies and policymakers understand how to reduce the environmental impact of products like plastics, chemicals and batteries. He uses advanced models such as life cycle assessment to track where emissions come from and which solutions – such as better recycling or greener technologies – can reduce waste and pollution. This work supports global action on climate change and helps industries make smarter, more sustainable decisions.
Dr Meng said: “The chemical sciences are central to solving climate change, circularity, and resource efficiency challenges. From green chemistry to decarbonisation technologies, this field offers tools and insights that can guide entire sectors – from plastics and transport to food and energy – towards a more sustainable future.”
Read the full interview with Dr Meng
2025 Environment, Sustainability and Energy Horizon Prize: awarded for advancing circular economy solutions for the UK chemical industry through chemical recycling, biomass conversion and direct carbon dioxide reduction.
The UKRI CircularChem project was an interdisciplinary, multi-institute programme that set out to advance circular economy solutions for the UK chemical industry through chemical recycling, biomass conversion and direct CO2 reduction. The centre has been pioneering in the use of biomass, solid waste carbon, and carbon dioxide as three alternative feedstocks for the chemical industry, to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Through cutting-edge science and innovation, the team has developed enabling technologies and systems understanding for these feedstocks while actively advocating for a paradigm shift within the field. This advocacy has reshaped industry understanding, with these feedstocks now recognised as critical alternatives.
Key members from Sheffield:
Professor Peter Styring, Policy Lead and Project Co-I, Sheffield University
Professor Jagroop Pandhal, Project Co-I, Sheffield University
Dr Tom Franklin, PDRA, Sheffield University
Professor Styring said: “Our work will be used to create a framework for the development of novel manufacturing of the chemicals that are embedded in everyday life. It will help us create a path forward for a just industrial transition.”
Dr Franklin added: “The chemical industry is of huge societal and economic importance, but it must transition to non-fossil feedstocks and sources of energy to make a meaningful impact towards more sustainable practices. This work will have a lasting positive impact for future generations and the outputs from this project will help to shape future technology, financial and policy directions.”