It was established in 1882 as the Journal of the Society of Chemical Industry by the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

In 1950 it changed its title to Journal of Applied Chemistry and volume numbering restarted at 1.

In 1971 the journal changed its title to Journal of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology and in 1983 it obtained the current title.

It covers chemical and biological technology relevant for economically and environmentally sustainable industrial processes.

The journal is published by John Wiley & Sons on behalf of SCI.