The IChemE prizes recognise exceptional contributions to the fields of chemical, biochemical and process engineering. This year, the School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering has been recognised in two categories: The Warner Medal for work in sustainability and the SIESO Medal for raising awareness of process safety.
The Warner Medal recognises an early-career individual showing exceptional promise in sustainable chemical process technology and excellence in making chemical engineering accessible through outreach and education.
Dr Fanran Meng is an internationally recognised early-career researcher whose work has transformed the understanding of how global chemicals and materials systems can transition to net-zero emissions. He was the recipient of 2025 Royal Society of Chemistry Environment, Sustainability and Energy Early Career Prize. He is currently leading/co-leading over £32 million in research income supported by EPSRC, the Royal Society, and major industrial partners. His work, published in top journals, including Nature Chemical Engineering, Nature Climate Change, Nature Reviews Clean Technology, and PNAS, develops open and reproducible methods to quantify emissions and resource use across complex chemical supply chains. For example, the global chemicals model maps over 37,000 production facilities, tracking emissions, energy use, and process technologies across 81 chemicals and 2,043 process routes, enabling a "step change" in how the sector identifies pathways to net-zero emissions.
Beyond his research, Dr. Meng is a dedicated advocate for the profession. He serves as an Editor for multiple leading sustainability journals, including the Journal of Cleaner Production. He contributed to the IChemE Sustainability Special Interest Group, especially the Circular Economy Project. He introduced life cycle thinking to the public through various events such as the Sutton Trust Summer School. He also designed and leads undergraduate modules at the University of Sheffield, integrating his real-world research into the curriculum.
Professor Joan Cordiner, Head of School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering said: “Dr Meng truly deserves this award; it is a reflection of the outstanding achievements of his career so far. He exemplifies the next generation of chemical engineers who blend scientific innovation with social purpose. His research advances the state of the art in sustainable process systems, quantifying global decarbonisation pathways with a level of resolution and transparency previously unattainable. His industrial collaborations and spin-out involvement translate theory into practice; his outreach, educational leadership, and service to IChemE ensure that these advances inform both the profession and wider society.”