Changes are happening fast at C&EN, as the publication adapts to reader preferences. Find out more about how these changes impact institutional subscribers.
In 2025, Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN) announced a major shift in publishing strategy. In addition to reimagining the website, C&EN transitioned from a weekly to a monthly release schedule for both print subscriptions and C&EN Global Enterprise (C&ENGE) institutional subscribers.
For librarians and account administrators managing ACS Publications subscriptions, this change raises important questions about access, value, and user experience. This article outlines what you need to know about your subscription going into 2026.
What’s Changing—and What’s Staying the Same
C&ENGE has historically mirrored C&EN’s print magazine publication schedule and content, providing institutions with access to the same content in a format optimized for enterprise-level distribution. Starting in August of 2025, C&ENGE now follows C&EN’s new monthly print schedule. This means:
- Fewer issues: Instead of weekly issues, institutional subscribers will receive monthly issues. Consolidating the same amount of content into fewer issues helps improve our efficiency and reduce waste.
- Renewed focus on quality: By refining the schedule, C&EN editors ensure each issue is packed with richer, more engaging content, stunning visuals, and deeper storytelling.
- Continued access to C&ENGE on the ACS Publications platform: Institutional subscribers will continue to view new issues at pubs.acs.org, just like they have in the past.
- Discoverability: C&EN content will continue to be discoverable on the ACS Publications platform. Content searches on our platform will continue to return news and analysis content alongside journal and book content.
- New monthly columns: Changes to the content in the print magazine and C&ENGE include opinion pieces by leaders in the global chemistry enterprise, a monthly strategic column, enhanced explainers for topical issues, our new “Volunteer Voices” column, and more.
Looking Ahead
C&EN’s editorial team is committed to meeting readers “where they are,” recognizing the many ways the global chemistry community engages with news and analysis. While institutional subscribers to C&ENGE will not yet have access to the newly enhanced C&EN website, they will continue to receive the digital version of the monthly magazine, ensuring continuity of access to trusted content.
ACS Publications is actively working toward migrating institutional subscribers to the same digital platform currently available to individual ACS members. This transition is expected to begin in 2026 and to bring expanded functionality and a more dynamic user experience to libraries and their patrons.
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