What formulation chemists do

Formulation chemists design, test, develop and manufacture various products, from paints and cosmetics to food. Their work constitutes an essential part of the supply chain

At a glance

What formulation chemists do: Formulation chemists design, test and develop new products – from cosmetics and coatings to medicines, materials and meat alternatives.
Where formulation chemists work:: Formulation chemists are employed in a range of industrial companies, from consumer goods to speciality chemicals companies.
Routes into becoming a formulation chemist: Typically, a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is required to enter a role as a formulation chemist. Find out more about different Higher Education options.

Read on to find out more or explore formulation chemists’ job profiles below.

What formulation chemists do

Formulation chemists support product development from concept to consumer by ensuring performance, safety and regulatory compliance. The products they create are everywhere – in homes, hospitals, supermarkets, vehicles and buildings.

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Formulation chemists combine raw ingredients to create prototype products that are analysed, tested and trialled to meet strict safety and regulatory standards, while fulfilling their intended purposes. After approval, the sample product will be scaled up, manufactured and distributed for use in the consumer market.

Formulation chemists need to have an excellent theoretical knowledge of analytical, organic and physical chemistry to understand the chemical composition, properties and reactivity of raw ingredients. They also need to have strong practical skills as they will use the required laboratory instrumentation and practical techniques to create, test and analyse example products.

A formulation chemist’s role typically involves:

Creativity. Designing products to a project brief and coming up with ideas about how to improve products.
Research skills. Investigating raw ingredients to ensure safe, effective end products that comply with regulations.
Drafting formulations. Developing the right combination of raw ingredients, balancing many factors such as product quality, stability and cost. They will need to know how to mix the chemicals and how they will interact to produce the end product.
Practical techniques. Measuring out the quantities of raw ingredients needed to create the end product in a laboratory, combining the ingredients using the required laboratory instrumentation and practical techniques, following best practices.
Analytical testing. Testing their end products using scientific equipment to ensure they are safe, effective and adhere to strict regulations. They use analytical techniques such as titrations, Mass Spectrometry (MS) and chromatography, producing data from their results.
Data analysis. Analysing the data they produce to ensure their products meet strict quality, health and safety standards.
Problem solving. Identifying improvements to develop their company’s products.
Communication. Communicating scientific information to teams with a non-scientific background to explain the properties of the products they formulate. For example, they may present their product to sales and marketing teams and produce presentations and written reports for their company’s customers.
Project management. Working to their company’s deadlines. As such, they will need strong project management skills.

Where formulation chemists work

Typically, formulation chemists work in industrial companies spanning many sectors, from pharmaceuticals to food and beverage companies. Here are some examples of where formulation chemists may be employed, and the types of products they may work on:

Agrochemical companies. Formulation chemists develop new chemicals to protect crops such as fertilisers.
Coatings companies. Formulation chemists develop new paints, inks and coatings. For example, formulating new coating technologies for use on buildings, cars, aeroplanes and other constructions.
Consumer goods companies. Formulation chemists develop household cleaning products such as detergents and personal care products such as deodorants.
Cosmetics companies. Formulation chemists develop specific personal care and beauty products such as lotions, shampoos, makeup, perfumes and shower gels.
Food manufacturing companies. Formulation chemists develop food products such as meat alternatives, creating plant-based products that have a similar texture, flavour and nutritional value to meat products. They formulate food preservatives to extend shelf life, create nutritional supplements and develop flavourings.
Pharmaceutical companies. Formulation chemists develop capsules and tablets to administer medications and work on nanotechnologies that can deliver medications to specific areas of the body.
Speciality chemicals companies. Formulation chemists develop new materials such as lubricants, adhesives, resins and polymers that can be used in, for example, construction, aerospace and space exploration.

Routes into becoming a formulation chemist

Typically, a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a related subject such as chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, pharmaceutical science, engineering or materials science is required to enter a position as a formulation chemist. Some companies may require specialised training or additional experience. Find out more about different Higher Education options.