UEA students discover industrial scale Chemistry

On Wednesday 24th October 2018 a group of Chemistry and Biochemistry students from the University of East Anglia were welcomed for an afternoon at our Norwich site.

8 Students from UEA in second year of studying Chemistry and Biochemistry spent the afternoon taking a tour of the  site, first looking at our technical laboratories and analysis laboratories. The students were familiar with our analytical equipment, as these techniques are also found in University laboratories. This includes analytical methods  such as mass spectrometry, gas chromatography and infra-red spectroscopy.

Then, onto our manufacturing plants and warehouses where, unlike in the lab, raw materials and products are utilised and produced in much greater magnitudes. For some of the students, this was their first experience of the chemical industry, and were impressed by the scale of our plants.

Following the site tour, the students had the opportunity to give their feedback and a panel of Briar employees offered advice on available career options. James, a recent graduate who spent a year at Briar Chemicals as part of his Chemistry degree at the University of East Anglia and is now employed at the company, discussed the benefits of industrial experience when looking for a career after graduating.

Briar Chemicals regularly hosts visits from schools, colleges and the University across the region and welcome the opportunity to promote careers in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. Working closely with youngsters of all ages, Briar Chemicals supports the future generation who are passionate about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Every year Briar Chemicals welcomes a number of work experience students and summer placements to the site and also offers a student industry placement from Loughborough University for those studying a degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering.