Lead exhibitor, Sandie Dann, Professor in Materials Chemistry at Loughborough said: “Petrochemicals derived from fossil fuel sources are baked into much of the world around us, but science can offer us alternatives.
“Our exhibit aims to help people visualise these challenges that have to be met to become a truly Net Zero society. This will require us to throw away as little as possible, and harness as much as possible from what already exists. We don’t want to be competing for resources – like land or materials that would otherwise be used for homes or food.
“From algae to paper waste, our research focuses on harvesting valuable biomass from waste products, by designing and developing catalysts to make this possible and more efficient.”
Fossil fuels don’t just power our vehicles. They are used to create the vital ingredients – known as platform chemicals – which go into many essential items.