Dr Samuel Patterson has been recognised and awarded the Rising Star in Industry Prize as part of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Research & Innovation Prizes for pioneering new approaches to the assessment of biodegradability that could help accelerate sustainable materials innovation.

The Rising Star in Industry Prize award recognises his work in developing methods to predict the biodegradability of polymer materials, establishing industrially deployable approaches for certification, and advancing innovation in polymer testing. This comes at a time when manufacturers, brands and material developers are under growing pressure to reduce reliance on fossil-based plastics while ensuring new materials can meet both performance requirements and sustainability expectations. While recycling and waste management remain critical parts of the solution, there is increasing interest in materials designed to biodegrade at the end of their life in appropriate environments.

A significant challenge for industry is that traditional biodegradability testing can be time-consuming, making it difficult to evaluate new materials quickly during product development. Through Impact-Bio®, Impact Solutions’ dedicated biodegradability testing and innovation platform, Dr Patterson has been leading the development of rapid screening methods designed to provide earlier insight into how materials are likely to behave in biodegradation testing programmes.

“Industry needs practical tools that allow material developers to make informed decisions earlier in the innovation process,” said Dr Patterson. “Our work focuses on generating robust biodegradability data more quickly, helping companies understand material performance, reduce development risk and accelerate the adoption of more sustainable solutions.”

He continued: “Ultimately, our goal is to support the development of materials with the smallest possible environmental impact. That includes both creating new materials from renewable resources and providing the evidence needed to understand how those materials behave at the end of their life.”

The work undertaken through Impact-Bio® supports organisations developing bio-based, biodegradable and compostable materials by combining internationally recognised testing methodologies with innovative screening approaches that can provide actionable insights earlier in the development cycle.

Commenting on the award, Dr Patterson said:

“The first feeling I had was doubt – is there a mistake? Do I even deserve this? After speaking with friends and colleagues who gave me a well-needed boost in confidence, I am left feeling driven to deliver on my vision for a more sustainable future.”

The Royal Society of Chemistry’s Rising Star in Industry Prize celebrates outstanding early-career scientists whose work is making a significant impact within industrial chemistry and applied research.

For Impact Solutions, the award reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting innovation in sustainable materials, testing technologies and environmental performance assessment.

“We are incredibly proud to see Sam’s dedication and scientific rigour recognised by such a prestigious institution as the Royal Society of Chemistry,” said Kevin Ross, Managing Director at Impact Solutions. “His work on the Impact-Bio® platform is at the heart of our mission to help industry navigate the complex transition to truly sustainable materials.”

To learn more about Dr Patterson’s award-winning research or how the Impact-Bio® platform can support your sustainable material development, contact us.

Royal Society of Chemistry Rising Star in Industry Winner