sector Overview:

The chemical industry has shown phenomenal growth for more than 50 years, most of which has been in the manufacture of synthetic organic polymers used as plastics, fibres and elastomers – synthetic polymers form 80% of the chemical industry’s global output. In 2003 the sector was calculated to be a $1.2 trillion global enterprise, largely concentrated in three areas of the world: Western Europe, North America and Japan, commonly referred to in the industry as the Triad and where the EU remains the largest producer area. However, the traditional dominance of chemical production in the Triad countries through such companies as Dow, DuPont, BASF and Bayer is being increasingly challenged by changes in feedstock availability and price, rises in labour and utility costs, differential rates of economic growth and environmental pressures.