Chemical Sector

The Process Industries Sector is of critical importance to the Economy of North East England.

• 58% of the UK’s remaining Petrochemical Industry is in North East England
• There are some 350 Process Industry companies in the North East Sector
• They employ some 34,000 people, highly-skilled workforce
• They produce £8b of GDP in the region
• GVA to the region £1.4b per annum

Pie chart illustrating the North East regional GDP

This pie chart shows:
15% Pharmaceutical & Speciality
10% Petrochemical
75% Other Industry

Pie chart illustrating the direct employment in manufacturing in North East England

This pie chart shows:
17% Pharmaceutical & Speciality
3% Petrochemical
80% Other Industry

The sector has 7 strategic thrusts: -

• Marketing
• Networking
• Skills and Education
• Trade
• Research and Development
• Manufacturing and Productivity
• GDP and Investment

Major players who are part of this sector in the North East include:

• AVECIA
• BASF
• CRODA
• DEGUSSA
• GSK
• HUNTSMAN
• ICI
• INVISTA
• JOHNSON MATTHEY
• LUCITE
• PETROPLUS
• PROCTER & GAMBLE
• SABIC
• SHASUN PHARMA SOLUTIONS
• TERRA

Supporting Documents and Downloads

Process Industries Sector Overview [pdf] (134 KB)

North East Chemicals Vision and Strategy [doc] (4.81 MB)

A strategy for chemicals in the North East [ppt] (6.16 MB)

NEPIC Skills/Education Action Plan 2007/08 [pdf] (5.78 MB)