The 17th International Conference on Materials Chemistry (MC17) took place from 7th to 10th July 2025 in the historic city of Edinburgh, UK. Hosted at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), just a 15-minute walk from the iconic Edinburgh Castle.

This year’s edition marked a milestone for the MC series: it was the largest conference to date, boasting a record number of abstract submissions and welcoming over 600 delegates from across academia, industry, and research institutions. The scientific programme was structured around four core themes:

1. Functional inorganic materials
2. Nano and porous materials
3. Soft matter and biomaterials
4. Materials for energy and sustainability—including recycling, and critical materials usage.

Each theme was supported by a range of oral presentations and poster sessions.

Some of the talks I particularly enjoyed included:

• Recycling of battery materials using bioengineering
• Using machine learning to aid and complement classical materials discovery and optimization techniques
• Using X-ray diffraction computed tomography (XRDCT) to assess CO2 conversion and hydrogen production catalysts

The evening poster sessions were a particular highlight. The relaxed atmosphere encouraged great discussion and offered a platform to share ideas and receive feedback. Discussing my work with fellow researchers and experts provided valuable insights and fresh perspectives. The posters featured a diverse range of topics. I was particularly drawn to several posters focusing on sustainable materials, which included:

• Development of recyclable, biodegradable, and bio-renewable polymers
• Lignin valorisation for use in batteries, supercapacitors, adhesives, and epoxy systems
• Research into low-carbon, alkali-activated cements as alternatives to traditional Portland cement

These contributions demonstrated the growing momentum behind environmentally responsible materials chemistry.

I had the opportunity to present my own research within the materials for energy and sustainability theme. My poster focused on the valorisation of end-of-life refractories as functional fillers, exploring the potential of two materials—mRefCem and mRefFerro. These materials, fully characterised in our materials passports, show promise as fillers in thermoset and thermoplastic systems, contributing to the circular economy.

Overall, MC17 was a thoroughly rewarding experience. The conference reinforced the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and sustainable innovation in materials chemistry. I’m already looking forward to the next edition!