Investment

In recent years, household confidence in consumer chemicals' end-products has led to higher consumption, and this is expected to increase further.

Investment potential and opportunities in speciality chemicals in Scotland

Europe is a growth market, and exports of products such as perfumes and toiletries from Scotland should rise as a result of the increased consumer confidence.

Scotland is renowned for innovation, with over 80 percent of chemicals companies in Scotland choosing to take advantage of our academic expertise in order to retain competitiveness.

Inward investors are attracted to Scotland by our significant capabilities in the areas of: 

  • Chemicals processing 
  • Product and process development 
  • Niche product development − high value niche end products are a growth market offering huge potential

Emerging markets

  • Low carbon energy

The global agrochemical market is rapidly expanding, and Scotland has the capabilities to capture a larger share of the market, particularly in green technologies and oil and gas.

Chemical companies are currently looking at the potential of biomass as a heat source, to reduce running costs, carbon emissions, and more security over energy prices.

Other emerging markets include:

  • Photovoltaics (solar power) 
  • Plastic electronics 
  • Composites

Scotland is well positioned with a strong infrastructure in place to support inward investors to harvest this potential.

As well as access to world-class talent within our universities and research centres, potential investors can take advantage of opportunities emerging in other major growth areas within the wider chemicals industry in Scotland.

These include:

  • Food additives – global demands for more convenient foods, and functional foods driven by health conscious consumers, are helping drive growth of the food additives and flavours market 
  • Cosmetics – consumer preferences for all natural and botanically driven fragrances and toiletries will drive growth in this sub-sector 
  • Basic pharmaceuticals 
  • Pharmaceutical preparations 
  • Teaching and training 
  • Polymers