About the author

Jessica Clifton

Executive Director

Jessica is Executive Director at ReAgent and leads a variety of growth projects. She has an extensive background in marketing, and has worked in the chemical industry since 2019. Outside of work, Jessica can be found on a run, building LEGO, or watching Star Wars.
Scientist using a magnifying glass to look at a donut decorated with tablets with the names of E. food additives.

The Chemistry of Food Additives and Preservatives

Food additives are substances that are added to food to improve it in some way. This could be to enhance the flavour, colour, texture or appearance, for instance. Meanwhile, preservatives – a subset of food additives – are commonly used

3D illustration of a rubber stamp with the text ISO 9001 on a paper background

What Types of Businesses Require ISO Certifications?

There are various types of businesses that require ISO certification, but it’s especially important for manufacturing companies. Being ISO-certified is a significant achievement that demonstrates compliance with high standards, which is crucial if you’re vying for international credibility and competitiveness. 

Factory workers in ReAgent's chemical manufacturing facility||Artificial intelligence (AI) illustration concept||The Kreb cycle

Becoming More Energy Efficient in Chemical Manufacturing

The efficiency of a chemical manufacturing process can be measured by the relative quantities of products and feedstocks, and by how well it utilises energy. Some processes require more energy than others, even if the desired final output or products

White naphthalene balls in a shallow dish||Person spraying herbicide onto weeds||Close up of a white amoxicillin pill||benzene-derivatives||A graphic showing derivatisation process

What Are Derivatives And Their Uses In Chemistry?

In chemistry, a derivative is defined as a compound that’s produced from a similar compound through chemical processes. It can also be derived from a compound through decomposition and the removal of certain functional groups. While derivatives are sometimes required

Person pulling a plastic bag made of plant based cassava to test for strength||A graphic showing esters undergo hydrolysis in the presence of a strong acidic solution||Graphic showing apoptosis

Designing For Degradation In Chemistry

Designing materials for easy degradation is one of the twelve principles of green chemistry. It aims to purposely design and make products that break down into non-harmful constituents that do not persist in the environment or get magnified in the

A worker wearing latex gloves manufacturing purple paint in a factory.||ReAgent's 2.5l pack size of absolute ethanol||A pie chart showing air composition percentages

Using Safer Solvents in Chemistry

Solvents are indispensable in chemistry. Not only do they facilitate the dissipation of other substances (especially solids) into a more fluid form, but they also allow us to create the different concentrations necessary for precise reactions. As well as being

Crude oil being poured||A diagram highlighting oxygen processing||A biogas plant located behind a rape field||A pile of raw cow manure

Using Renewable Feedstocks in Chemistry

Many aspects of the chemical manufacturing industry have already integrated sustainable, environment-friendly practices. In fact, using renewable feedstock in chemical manufacturing is one of the twelve principles of green chemistry. As the name implies, a renewable resource can be used

Chemical product warning label.||Farmer spraying green plants with pesticide or fertiliser.||Red and black petrol pump inserted into a white car at a petrol station.

Using Less Hazardous Chemicals In Manufacturing

Many consumer and industrial chemical products are harmful to the environment when used or disposed of. Some also produce hazardous byproducts during the manufacturing process itself. The good news is that it’s possible to minimise, if not eliminate, many of