The shortlist for this year's RSC Innovation Awards has been announced, reflecting the breadth of innovation in the chemical sciences.

The shortlist for this year’s RSC Innovation Awards has been announced, reflecting the breadth of innovation in the chemical sciences.

’The applications this year were of very high quality and a pleasure to read,’ said David Bott, chair of the assessment panel.  

The short list of four - two short listed for Chemistry World Entrepreneur of the Year; two for the Teamwork in Innovation award - steers well clear of any typecasting.

Vying for the Chemistry World award are: Michael Baker of DNA Research Innovations (DRI), which has launched methods for extracting DNA and RNA; and Andrew Abbott of Scionix, a leading manufacturer of ionic liquids.

Epichem, which supplies the electronic and optoelectronic industries, has been short listed for the teamwork award alongside James Robinson, a world leader in the development of photochromic dyes.

The UK launch of nucleic acid extraction methods by DRI proved so successful DRI was acquired by life-science giant, Invitrogen. Scionix, originally from Leicester University, UK, has an extremely wide ranging customer base.  

Epichem makes precursors for the electronic and opto-electronic industries, impressing judges with its multidisciplinary teamwork and high commercial promise. 

James Robinson works with Leeds University to develop and market organic photochromic molecules, impressing judges with a clear route to market.