Spotlight Feature – Ben Cummings

Research Fellow

Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Surrey

Ben Cummings is a Research Associate at University of Surrey. His industry driven research focus is to transform wasteful chemical engineering technologies to circular ones through techno-economic modelling and life cycle analysis, with a vision to deliver maximum value creation at near zero waste production by unlocking the potential for industrial symbiosis across the chemical sectors.

Ben’s work with the CircularChem centre is to develop a deep understanding of household chemical purchasing behaviour to help transition the chemical economy away from cheap fossil-based feedstocks and towards more circular options. Ben is leading the groups market research efforts and presented his preliminary findings at the annual CE-Hub conference on 25th September 2024, which was hosted in Westminster. He is collaborating with WRAP and leading academics to design and conduct focus groups. These findings will then inform a white paper style document on improving the detergent purchase behaviour landscape to ultimately benefit the environment, not just company profits. Bio-based, low carbon, and low waste production are sustainable options for detergent companies to adopt. Although, there are no clearly circular detergents sold on the market today that can be leveraged. Achieving circularity is likely best approached by assessing the gap between consumer intention and behaviour, and predicting detergent consumption patterns under various policy scenarios.