International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry

What International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry does

The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), founded in 1919 and headquartered in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina with new offices opened in Málaga, Spain and Rome, Italy in 2026, is the internationally recognized authority on chemical nomenclature, terminology, symbols, atomic weights, and digital standards. IUPAC serves the global chemistry community — researchers, educators, students, national chemical societies, and chemical industry companies — through national adhering organizations in most countries, Company Associates from industry, and an Affiliate Membership Programme with coordinators in 40+ countries. Core technical assets include the InChI (International Chemical Identifier), ThermoML for thermophysical data exchange, JCAMP-DX for spectroscopy data, the official Periodic Table of Elements, the Color Books series for nomenclature recommendations, and peer-reviewed journals (Pure and Applied Chemistry, Chemistry International).

IUPAC's offering portfolio spans technical standards (nomenclature, InChI, ThermoML, JCAMP-DX), publications (PAC, CI, Chemistry Today, Molecular Sustainability, Safety Data Sheets), public engagement programs (Periodic Table Challenge with 130,000+ plays from 160+ countries, Global Women's Breakfast with 425 events across 64 countries and 30,000+ attendees in 2026), recognition programs (annual Top 10 Emerging Technologies in Chemistry since 2019, IUPAC-Solvay Award for Young Chemists, IUPAC-Soong Prize for Sustainable Chemistry), and frameworks such as the Guiding Principles of Responsible Chemistry. Distribution is primarily digital through iupac.org, with conference-based field engagement at the World Chemistry Congress, IUPAC General Assembly, and a portfolio of endorsed specialized conferences (ICPC, ICOS, Green Chemistry Summer Schools).

Revenue mechanics are diversified across individual Affiliate Membership fees (USD 50/year), Company Associates program subscriptions, journal subscriptions and publication royalties, conference and event registrations, merchandise sales through the IUPAC shop, and corporate sponsorships (Bayer, ACS, Royal Society of Chemistry, De Gruyter Brill, RACI). The organization operates with a lean secretariat (1-10 employees) and is governed through an elected Council, eight scientific divisions, standing committees, and a large volunteer network spanning the global chemistry community.

Name

International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry

Legal name

International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry

Website

https://iupac.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

IUPAC, founded in 1919, is the international scientific authority on chemical nomenclature, terminology, atomic weights, and digital standards (InChI, ThermoML), serving chemists, educators, and industry worldwide through member societies and a 40+ country affiliate program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scientific Standards Organization

akta.pro primary industry

Assessment Item Banks, Question Authoring & Test Development Content (EDAGADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scientific & Laboratory Reference (Chemistry, Biology, Physics; Methods & Protocols) (EDAGAGAG), Language Assessment, Placement Testing & Proficiency Certification Tools (EDAFAOAH)

Keywords

• Chemistry nomenclature standards
• Chemical terminology guidelines
• Scientific publishing
• Digital chemistry standards
• Chemistry education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Affiliate Membership Programme: Individual chemists and interested parties can join IUPAC as Affiliate Members for USD 50.00 per year, which includes digital access to Chemistry International magazine. The program, launched in 1986, maximizes participation of chemists worldwide and disseminates information about IUPAC activities to a wider audience.
2. Publications and Journals: IUPAC publishes peer-reviewed journals including Pure and Applied Chemistry (PAC), Chemistry Today (CTI), Chemistry International (CI), and Molecular Sustainability (MS), as well as Safety Data Sheets (SDS). The Color Books series provides authoritative nomenclature resources. Print copies of Chemistry International have been discontinued.
3. Merchandise Sales: The IUPAC Merchandise Shop sells branded items including mugs, water bottles, apparel, accessories, posters, canvas art, stickers, journals, device cases, bags, and lapel pins. Products feature IUPAC brands including Periodic Table Challenge, Global Women's Breakfast, Top 10 Emerging Technologies, and Guiding Principles.
4. Conference and Event Fees: IUPAC organizes, sponsors, and endorses international conferences including the World Chemistry Congress, IUPAC General Assembly, and specialized conferences (ICPC, ICOS, Summer Schools). Registration fees support these events.
5. Company Associates Program: Chemical industry companies participate as Company Associates, representing IUPAC's most important connections to the chemical industry and contributing to the organization's support base.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

IUPAC develops and disseminates internationally recognized standards for chemical nomenclature, terminology, symbols, atomic weights, and digital chemical data exchange (InChI, ThermoML, JCAMP-DX). It also publishes peer-reviewed journals and the Color Books series, delivers educational and outreach programs (Periodic Table Challenge, Global Women's Breakfast, IYCN Mentoring Program), and runs recognition programs such as the Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry and the IUPAC-Solvay and IUPAC-Soong awards.

Product overview

IUPAC is a standards and professional organization rather than a commercial product company. Its offerings include educational programs (Periodic Table Challenge, IYCN Mentoring Program), public engagement initiatives (Global Women's Breakfast networking events across 64+ countries), recognition programs (Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry), and technical standards (InChI identifier, ThermoML, JCAMP-DX, nomenclature services, Color Books publications). The organization also provides journals (PAC, Chemistry International), databases, and the Guiding Principles of Responsible Chemistry framework with eight core principles for ethical chemistry practice.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Global Women's Breakfast (GWB): IUPAC's global networking breakfast initiative for women in chemistry, connecting events across 64 countries.
• IUPAC Periodic Table Challenge
• Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry
• IUPAC 100
• Guiding Principles of Responsible Chemistry

Products and services

• Affiliate Membership Programme An individual membership program costing USD 50.00 per year, providing chemists and interested parties with digital access to Chemistry International magazine and engagement with IUPAC's activities, delivered via country coordinators in 40+ countries.
• IUPAC Nomenclature Services IUPAC's expert authority service providing unambiguous and consistent chemical nomenclature and terminology, including naming of new elements in the Periodic Table, for the global chemistry community.
• Digital Standards (InChI, ThermoML, JCAMP-DX) IUPAC's set of digital standards for the chemical workplace, including InChI (International Chemical Identifier), ThermoML (XML-based thermophysical property data exchange), and JCAMP-DX (spectral data standard), supporting interoperable chemical data reporting.
• Color Books Authoritative reference publications maintained by IUPAC providing standardized chemical nomenclature, terminology, and symbols used by the global chemistry community.
• IUPAC Journals (PAC, Chemistry International, others) Peer-reviewed and open-access publications covering IUPAC activities, recommendations, and chemistry news, including Pure and Applied Chemistry (PAC), Chemistry International (CI), Chemistry Today (CTI), Molecular Sustainability (MS), and Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
• IUPAC Databases Online resources to search and retrieve output of IUPAC research activities, including critically evaluated data on atomic weights and other chemical properties maintained by IUPAC commissions.
• Periodic Table Challenge An online interactive quiz about the Periodic Table of Elements aimed at young students globally, playable in all UN official languages and offering IUPAC certificates for scores of 60% or above.
• Global Women's Breakfast (GWB) An annual global networking breakfast program supporting the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, connecting women chemists worldwide; in 2026 it linked 425 events across 64 countries with over 30,000 attendees.
• Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry Annual recognition program selecting ten emerging technologies in chemistry for their potential to open new opportunities in chemistry and contribute to societal well-being and sustainability, promoted through feature articles in Chemistry International.
• IUPAC-Solvay International Award for Young Chemists An annual award jointly run by IUPAC and Solvay that recognizes and encourages up to five exceptional young researchers at the start of their careers for outstanding Ph.D. theses in the chemical sciences, with cash and travel support for the IUPAC Congress.
• IUPAC-Soong Prize for Sustainable Chemistry A joint IUPAC and Soong Family Foundation prize awarding USD 30,000, a medal, travel, and a lecture invitation at National Taiwan University to an outstanding scientist recognized for breakthroughs in sustainable chemistry.
• Guiding Principles of Responsible Chemistry A forward-looking framework defining what it means to practice chemistry responsibly in the 21st century, organized around eight core principles including Responsible Innovation, Safety/Security/Sustainability, Ethics, Inclusivity, Communication, Equitable Access, Integrity, and Convergence Across Disciplines.
• IUPAC-IYCN Mentoring Program A mentoring program connecting young chemists with experienced mentors from all areas and countries to assist with career development goals, run jointly with the International Younger Chemists Network.
• IUPAC Merchandise Shop An online store selling branded merchandise including mugs, water bottles, apparel, accessories, posters, canvas art, stickers, journals, device cases, bags, and lapel pins featuring IUPAC's branded programs, with worldwide shipping.
• Periodic Table of Elements The official IUPAC Periodic Table of Elements with the latest atomic weights, based on the work of the Commission on Isotopic Abundances and Atomic Weights (CIAAW), published and maintained as an authoritative reference by IUPAC.

Quantifiable outcome

• The Periodic Table Challenge has been played more than 130,000 times from 160+ countries including Antarctica
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, platinum, silver, bronze and flagship.

• SolvaycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2025IUPAC and Solvay partner on the annual IUPAC-Solvay International Award for Young Chemists, recognizing exceptional young researchers with up to five prizes of $1,000 cash plus $1,000 travel support for outstanding Ph.D. theses in chemical sciences. Awards presented at IUPAC Congress.
• Soong Family FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 September 2025IUPAC and Soong Family Foundation co-create the IUPAC-Soong Prize for Sustainable Chemistry, awarding $30,000 USD plus medal and travel to an outstanding scientist for breakthrough sustainable chemistry. Prize ceremony at EuChemS Chemistry Congress.
• BayerplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerBayer serves as Platinum Sponsor for IUPAC's Global Women's Breakfast (GWB) program, supporting events that connected 425 events across 64 countries with 30,000+ attendees in 2026.
• American Chemical Society (ACS)platinumGTM or Marketing PartnerAmerican Chemical Society is Platinum Sponsor for IUPAC's Global Women's Breakfast program, supporting women and girls in science initiatives globally.
• Royal Society of ChemistryplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerRoyal Society of Chemistry is Platinum Sponsor for IUPAC's Global Women's Breakfast program, supporting inclusivity in chemistry worldwide.
• De Gruyter BrillsilverGTM or Marketing PartnerDe Gruyter Brill is Silver Sponsor for IUPAC's Global Women's Breakfast program.
• Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI)bronzeGTM or Marketing PartnerRACI is Bronze Sponsor for IUPAC's Global Women's Breakfast program.
• CNC-IUPAC (Canadian National Committee for IUPAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of the IUPAC Periodic Table Challenge, supporting global chemistry education and engagement.
• Chinese Chemical SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of the IUPAC Periodic Table Challenge, supporting international chemistry outreach.
• UNESCOflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of the International Year of the Periodic Table (IYPT2019) in partnership with IUPAC, marking the 150th anniversary of the Periodic Law.
• International Younger Chemists Network (IYCN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIUPAC co-sponsors the Periodic Table of Younger Chemists with IYCN, honoring 118 outstanding younger chemists from around the world during IUPAC's centenary.
• IYBSSD2022 (International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for the IUPAC Periodic Table Challenge supporting basic sciences education.
• King's Center for Visualization in Science (KCVS)coreTechnology or IntegrationKCVS designed the Guiding Principles of Responsible Chemistry infographic for IUPAC, creating visual communication materials for the initiative.
• EuChemS (European Chemical Society)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuChemS partners with IUPAC on events including hosting the 2026 EuChemS Chemistry Congress in Antwerp where the second IUPAC-Soong Prize will be presented.
• National Taiwan UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Taiwan University hosts the lecture component of the IUPAC-Soong Prize, inviting award recipients to present within two years of receiving the award.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• International Organization for Standardization (ISO): Global standards body whose technical committees cover chemical nomenclature, terminology, and laboratory methods (e.g., ISO/TC 47). Operates at broader scope than IUPAC but is comparable in establishing internationally recognized chemistry-adjacent standards.
• International Science Council (ISC): Umbrella organization of international scientific unions (including IUPAC). Comparable in convening global scientific bodies, influencing science policy, and providing governance infrastructure for international scientific collaboration.
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): U.S. government agency providing measurement standards, reference data, and Standard Reference Materials relevant to analytical chemistry. While not a membership organization, NIST overlaps with IUPAC in chemistry data and reference-material domains.

Direct peers

• German Chemical Society (GDCh): One of the largest national chemical societies globally and a key IUPAC National Adhering Organisation. Comparable journals, divisions, conferences, and continuing-education offerings, with similar member-driven funding model.
• Royal Society of Chemistry: UK-based professional body for chemists and a long-standing IUPAC partner. Publishes journals, hosts conferences, runs awards, and engages in policy advocacy, with directly comparable products (publications, nomenclature resources) and Platinum GWB sponsorship.
• American Chemical Society: Largest professional scientific society for chemists globally and a National Adhering Organisation of IUPAC. Operates journals, conferences, awards, and educational programmes with overlapping mission in chemistry standards, publishing, and community building; serves as a Platinum GWB sponsor.
• European Chemical Sciences (EuChemS): Pan-European association of chemical societies co-hosting the EuChemS Chemistry Congress where IUPAC awards (e.g., IUPAC-Soong Prize) are presented. Directly comparable mission in chemistry community representation and standards advocacy at continental scale.
• International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP): Sister ICSU-family scientific union responsible for international standards in physics (symbols, units, nomenclature). Operates with analogous mission, governance via national adhering bodies, and engagement with the broader physics community.
• International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB): International scientific union setting standards for biochemistry and molecular biology nomenclature (e.g., enzyme classification). Shares IUPAC's international-union structure, volunteer-driven governance, and focus on terminology and methods standards.

Regional players

• Chinese Chemical Society: China's principal national chemistry society and IUPAC National Adhering Organisation. Operates comparable publications, conferences, and educational outreach at national scale and is a Periodic Table Challenge sponsor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/iupac
• Facebookfacebook.com/316088331681
• Instagraminstagram.com/iupac
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iupac

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry