We are delighted to share that several members of our Research & Technology team were recognized at the Sugar Industry Technologists’ (S.I.T.) annual meeting in Dubai!
S.I.T. is an external trade association whose purpose is to improve the operations of the sugar refining industry by presenting, discussing and sharing scientific information pertaining to the management and technical aspects of sugar refining and encouraging original research in this field.
Four colleagues received the Frank Chapman Memorial Award for best posters presented at the 2024 S.I.T. meeting in Vancouver Canada.
Technical Consultant Alan Mead and Research Technologist II Natalie Mayer received the award for their poster, “Sampling, Sample Handling and Sample Preparation of All Free-Flowing Crystalline Sugars.” The poster presented research on improving sampling methods to reduce sampling error, particularly by ensuring the ratio of various size fractions is maintained at every stage of the sampling process.
Director of Research & Technology Clara Aymerich and former Vice President of Research & Technology John Kerr received the award for their poster, “Steps Toward a Zero Solids Discharge Industry Through Innovation Co-Products.” The poster highlighted the Thames Refinery’s innovative transformation of Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC) – a byproduct from the carbonatation process – into a valuable co-product referred to as Calcium Carbonate Cake, or CalciCake, which has been used as a sustainable raw material to create bricks, as well as a low-carbon alternative to concrete.
John, who retired last year after more than 23 years with the Company, was honored for his lifetime achievements as the winner of the 2025 S.I.T. Crystal Award. He previously served as President of S.I.T.
“Our talented team members continue to set the gold standard for innovation, expertise and leadership in the industry,” said George Carter, Vice President, Refining – Research & Technology. “Their dedication not only drives progress within our organization but also leaves a lasting mark on the industry as a whole. Alan, Natalie, Clara and John have exemplified excellence through their achievements, and John’s decades of innovation and leadership have helped drive sustainability and continuous improvement throughout the industry. Congratulations to each of them for these well-earned recognitions!”
ICUMSA® Honors Alan Mead for Years of Service
In addition to his award for best poster at S.I.T., Alan Mead was recently honored with an award by the International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis (ICUMSA®). ICUMSA® is the only international organization dedicated solely to analytical methods for the sugar industry. The award recognized Alan’s eight years of dedication and service as Referee for S7 Sampling, Sample Handling and Sample Preparation. He has been an active member of ICUMSA, serving on the British National Committee for more than 25 years. In 2014, he began serving as Associate Referee for Sampling Methods before becoming Lead Referee in 2016.
Alan, who has been with the Company for more than 60 years, has made significant contributions to the industry. At the 2018 ICUMSA® Session in South Africa, he put forward some bold suggestions to completely overhaul the sampling procedures to be recommended by ICUMSA®. The proposals were accepted, and over the next three years, he led the research into the effectiveness of various aspects of sample collection and rewrote the procedures, which were adopted in 2021 and published in 2022.
“Most analytical procedures are carried out to a very high level of accuracy, but too often, the importance of correct sampling is overlooked,” said Alan. “The value of a 30,000-ton cargo of raw sugar may be decided on the analysis of only 390 grams; if that 390 grams is not truly representative, then the analysis will also not be representative.”
The S.I.T. poster that won Alan and Natalie the Frank Chapman Memorial Award was based on this work. Alan also received the Dr. Mike Bennett Award from the British Society of Sugar Technologists for the oral presentation on which the poster was based. Additionally, Alan received an award from the German Society of Sugar Technologists when a report on his research for ICUMSA® was published in several sugar journals.
Alan continues his work with ICUMSA®, currently serving as Associate Referee.