Plans to grow chemical exports by 50 percent

Scotland’s dynamic chemical sciences sector has announced ambitious plans to increase exports by 50 percent from £3bn to £4.5bn by 2020.

Trade body Chemical Sciences Scotland, unveiled its plans to help deliver economic growth for the sector and to reach the target.

The new blueprint will grow the economy by concentrating on export growth, the creation of a low carbon economy and growth through collaboration. The chemicals sector currently accounts for a quarter of Scottish manufacturing by turnover.

"Chemistry has a key role to play"

Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing said: “The chemical sciences sector is already of vital importance to Scotland's economy. It is Scotland's second biggest export sector, with exports valued at around £3 billion, and employs 14,000 people in Scotland.

"Chemistry has a key role to play in all of our lives, in the food we eat, the clothes we wear and the pharmaceuticals that help to keep us healthy.

“The sector is a great example of the innovation and skills there are in Scotland. I'm delighted to launch this strategy for industry – a blueprint for growth which I am sure will steer the sector as it goes from strength to strength.”

"Focus on driving export growth"

Chemical Sciences Scotland was set up in 2007 as a unique partnership of industry with Scotland’s world-renowned academic sector and government agencies.

Sandy Dobbie, chairman of Chemical Sciences Scotland, said: “Now the time has come to recalibrate our sights and focus on driving export growth and making Scotland a can do place to do business for the sector.

"That’s why we aim to grow our exports by 50 per cent. The chemicals industry also offers innovative low-carbon solutions to many of the challenges of the future when it comes to meeting our energy needs.”

Lena Wilson, chief executive, Scottish Enterprise, added: “We continue to support this industry, and its ambitious companies, to invest in growth. By working together, we can create a globally competitive 21st century chemical sciences sector-based in Scotland.”

In an additional announcement, Sasol Technology UK also revealed it is making a £1m investment in its research and development facility at St Andrews.

Read more about Scotland's thriving chemical sciences sector