Comment - Impact Issue 2, 2012

We live and work in a highly competitive world and, at a time of momentous sporting events, it seems appropriate to think of our business and technical challenges in terms of sporting endeavour. In times of recession, companies have to find new ways to excel, push boundaries and exceed expectations. Business success has always been about pushing to achieve best performance: everyone wants to be among the medal winners.

Improving performance is a constant focus for fuel developers. In 'Drop-in biofuels from microorganisms', we look at the future of biofuels and examine the vital role that this technology will play in the development of transport fuels. Business performance depends on the quality of people that companies can attract and, most importantly, the staff they retain. Our article 'Engineered for success' examines concerns about the shortage of expertise in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines and how companies can overcome this issue. Performance is also about taking existing processes and making them more efficient or commercially attractive. In 'Developing game-changing catalysts' we look at how a new generation of catalysts is helping to drive down the cost of gas to liquids operations and extending our understanding of the chemical reactions at the heart of the process. In Canada, outstanding teamwork has set the scene for development of one of the world’s largest commercial-scale carbon capture and storage projects. The plan involves rebuilding, modernising and upgrading an ageing coal-fired power generating unit in order to minimise carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide emissions.

In tough times, the focus has to be on finding new and cost-effective ways to improve performance. To claim the prize we, like our sporting icons, will have to do something exceptional. An appetite for knowledge and new opportunities will ultimately seal our success.