Scotland has the formula for your success

Scotland presents a compelling logic for investment with world-class expertise in R&D and scale-up, connections with the world’s leading brands, and attractive co-location sites for manufacture.

Chemical sciences are at the heart of Scotland’s economy and underpin its key life sciences, energy, chemicals and electronics industries.

Chemical Sciences Scotland is a unique partnership between industry, to Scotland’s world-renowned academic sector and government agencies. The aim is to ensure the chemical sciences have a vibrant future, creating high value opportunities for skilled people and innovative companies.

Scotland offers advanced infrastructure and a dynamic environment where it’s easy to do business. We measure this across a broad range of topics including the regulatory process, the collaborative nature of a small nation, the transparency of capability and expertise across industry, academia and public support services.

Our chemical sciences sector supports activities servicing a wide customer base. From Aberdeen based business supporting the oil industry such as Aubin or Roemex with blended functional chemicals, to more southerly firms such as Gates or Interfloor working with the auto and textiles industries.

Make your next R&D investment in Scotland

Innovation is key to Scotland’s chemical sciences sector. Industry and academia come together to work on pushing the boundaries of the current technology in terms of products and manufacturing techniques. Scottish universities are working with successful companies at home and abroad on a wide variety of exciting projects.

Scotland key strengths in R&D include:

• 13 award-winning universities and 5 colleges with expertise in chemistry and chemicals engineering
• Specific expertise in:
  • Biological Chemistry
  • Catalysis 
  • Materials Chemistry 
  • Synthetic Organic Chemistry 
  • Pharmaceutical Chemistry 
• A range of financial incentives available, including R&D grants and assistance with training

Read more about chemicals R&D in Scotland 

Test and scale-up product ideas with experienced global chemicals companies

Scotland has a number of companies with extensive chemical capability. These companies provide an opportunity for prospective investors to scale-up and develop a wide variety of products.

With a rich history in development of techniques and problem solving, it's no surprise that Scotland not only has global companies offering scale-up and development services but a variety of more boutique sized firms are also active providing a range of services.

Working closely with the source of the intellectual property and the eventual manufacturing site these partners are well placed to help bring your product to market. Core companies include:

Read more about companies in Scotland with test and scale-up expertise

Co-locate in Scotland with existing successful speciality chemicals companies

Co-locating with existing companies can offer you the lowest risk route to market. Maximise your return on investment by co-locating with some of the successful chemical companies already doing business in Scotland.

Many global brands have already found the benefits of co-locating in Scotland. FujiFilm Imaging Colorants, Syngenta, Polimeri Europa and Piramal Healthcare all continue to enjoy on-going success operating out of Scotland. 

Whether you’re seeking to generate a new API or develop the next generation of corrosion inhibitors, you have everything you need right here in Scotland. With R&D linked into world leading academic groups and the support of government and enterprise, opportunities for innovation are exciting. Utilising one of Scotland’s economical co-location sites will result in your company having a concept to market presence in Europe.

Read more about co-locating in Scotland