Society of Chemical Industry
| Formation | 1881 |
|---|---|
| Type | Learned society |
| Headquarters | London |
| Location |
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Official language
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English |
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Hon. President
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Neil Carson |
| Website | www |
The Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) is a learned society set up in 1881 "to further the application of chemistry and related sciences for the public benefit". Its purpose is "Promoting the commercial application of science for the benefit of society" and provides an international forum where science meets business on independent, impartial ground. Since being founded in 1881, the society has expanded and diversified to cover a range of interest areas, such as food and agriculture, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, environmental science and safety.
The headquarters is in Belgrave Square, London. In addition there are semi-independent branches in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The Society aims to promote links between scientists and industrialists, and does so through technical and business interest groups and international and regional groups, and by running some 50 conferences, seminars and lectures a year.
SCI also aims to inform government decision-making relating to science and industry. A paper urging further action on science education to protect future of UK economic health produced by SCI members in response to the closure of the Chemistry department at the University of Sussex gained newspaper coverage in the UK.
On 21 November 1879, Lancashire chemist John Hargreaves canvassed a meeting of chemists and managers in Widnes, St Helens and Runcorn to consider the formation of a chemical society. Modelled on the successful Tyne Chemical Society already operating in Newcastle, the newly proposed South Lancashire Chemical Society held its first meeting on 29 January 1880 in Liverpool, with the eminent industrial chemist and soda manufacturer Ludwig Mond presiding.
It was quickly decided that the society should not be limited to just the local region and the title 'the Society of Chemical Industry’ was finally settled upon at a meeting in London on 4 April 1881, as being 'more inclusive'. Held at the offices of the Chemical Society, now the headquarters of the Royal Society of Chemistry, in Burlington House, this meeting was presided over by Henry Roscoe, appointed first president of SCI, and attended by Eustace Carey, Ludwig Mond, FA Abel, Lowthian Bell, William H Perkin, Walter Weldon, Edward Rider Cook, Thomas Tyrer and George E Davis; all prominent scientists, industrialists and MPs of the time.
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