The long-established Scottish chemicals industry is a major component of the European Union (EU) and world chemicals markets. Scottish chemical activities generate some £3.4 billion annually, and the industry is of vital importance to the wider economy in Scotland, underpinning a wide range of other sectors.
With major global companies locating in Scotland, and world-leading Research & Development (R&D) taking place here, Scottish chemical expertise is constantly being enhanced.
Scottish chemical sectors
Chemical experiments, research and innovation have led the way to amazing discoveries that transcend the chemicals industry and span the electronics, health care, food and drink, and textiles sectors. The thriving Scottish chemicals industry comprises four main sectors:
The production of basic chemicals and pharmaceuticals represents Scotland’s largest chemicals sectors and continually add substantial value to the European chemical market.
The Scottish chemicals industry
Gas and oil derived from the North Sea have helped shape many industries in Scotland and are supplied as base chemicals worldwide. Many of the world's leading chemical companies are located in Scotland, where you'll also find a talented workforce and an excellent transport infrastructure.
- The big industrial buyers of Scottish chemical products are:
- Metals, mechanical and electrical industries.
- Textiles and clothing.
- The automotive industry.
- Paper and printing products.
- The industry manufactures a diverse range of materials and products, and showed a 36 per cent growth in turnover between 1998 and 2004.
- Pressures from changing domestic demand and globalisation are driving the industry towards higher added value products.
- There are also a large number of subsidiary, private and independent Scottish chemical manufacturing operations.