The scientific and professional conference 14th Ružička Days will be held in Vukovar from 13 to 15 September 2012. Since the previous conference, the 13th Ružička Days, held in 2010, it has taken on an international character, and in addition to the Croatian Society of Chemical Engineers and Technologists (HDKI) and the Faculty of Food Technology of the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek (PTFOS), this year's co-organizers are the European Federation of Food Science and Technology (EFFoST) and the European Association for Chemical and Molecular Sciences (EuCheMS). The presidents of these associations, prof. dr. sc. Dietrich Knorr, and prof. dr. sc. Ulrich Schubert, will welcome the Conference and, as top experts, will also hold plenary lectures in their fields. The main purpose of Ružička Days is to present scientific and professional activities in the fields of chemistry, chemical and biochemical engineering, food technology, biotechnology, medical biochemistry and pharmacy, and chemistry in agriculture, forestry and environmental protection. The goals are to promote excellence, interdisciplinarity, originality and innovation in scientific research as well as the application of research through cooperation with the economy, and thus improve competitiveness and the general development of society. These aspirations are also visible through the slogan "TODAY SCIENCE - TOMORROW INDUSTRY". Therefore, we are particularly pleased with the fact that, in addition to a large number of papers by participants from faculties and institutes, a significant number of diverse papers by our colleagues from industry are also represented. This is intended and offers the opportunity to stimulate discussion and establish cooperation between participants from higher education institutions, institutes and the economy, since each conference is also an opportunity to meet, exchange opinions and experiences. In addition to plenary, selected oral and poster presentations, a meeting of young chemists, the new strategy and action plan of the European Commission "Innovation for Sustainable Growth: Bioeconomy for Europe" will be presented and discussed within the framework of the Conference. The content of the Conference is complemented by social events - a welcome reception and gala dinner, an excursion that will include a tour of the Vukovar barracks, the Ilok Cellars with wine tasting, the Ilok City Museum in the renovated Odescalchi Castle, as well as exhibitions in the city of Vukovar. Since its beginnings, except during wartime, Ružička's Days have been held in Vukovar in memory of Nobel laureate Leopold (Lavoslav) Ružička, born in this Croatian city of recognizable and indelible tradition and significance. On the occasion of the 125th anniversary of his birth, September 13, 1887, colleagues S. Tomas, M. Planinić, A. Bucić-Kojić, N. Pavić and I. Hubalek wrote an article "Nobel laureate Ružička as a source of inspiration", which will also be presented with an introductory lecture. More than 140 works by almost 400 authors have been registered for this year's conference.