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Scotland's chemical sciences facts
Chemical sciences in Scotland
Latest stats and facts on Scotland's chemical sciences industry. Published February 2020.
Industry profile
Scotland’s chemical sciences sector covers all areas of chemical sciences, from
- basic chemicals – such as ethylene and commodity polymers, to
- intermediates and specialities, through to
- pharma and agrochem active ingredients, such as vaccines and pesticides
With strong expertise in industrial biotechnology and continuous manufacturing, Scotland has been leading the way in innovative sustainable chemical manufacturing.
Scottish chemical sciences stats
240 companies
0.1% of Scotland's total companies (2019)
11,000 employment
0.4% of Scotland's total employment (2018)
£1.3bn GVA
0.9% of Scotland's GVA (2017)
£4.4bn exports
13.1% of Scotland's total international exports (2018)
£179m R&D
14.3% of Scotland's BERD (2017)
Skills and talent
Some of the world’s leading chemical companies like FujiFilm, GlaxoSmithKline, Ineos and Syngenta have Scottish operations. They sit alongside a growing number of small and medium sized businesses in the sector, working in a multitude of technologies.
These businesses benefit not only from the talented workforce and transport infrastructure, but also from the access to our world-renowned academic institutions, and Scotland’s continuous drive for innovation.
Chemistry is a vital science, core to many other sectors and one that underpins fields as diverse as medicine and the energy industry.
Company insight
Chemical sciences companies surveyed between July and December 2019
Performance last 6 months
-
50% reported increased turnover
-
44% reported improved profitability
Expectations next 6 months
-
54% expect to grow exports
-
31% expect to add staff
Companies
- Businesses in Scotland 2019, Scottish Government (drawn from Inter Departmental Business Register Office for National Statistics)
Employment
- Business Register and Employment Survey, Office for National Statistics
- Scottish Annual Business Statistics, Scottish Government
GVA
R&D
Exports
Company insight
- Economic Trends Survey, January 2020, Scottish Enterprise (unpublished data)
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