Chemical sector
The North West is the largest regional centre for chemical manufacture in the UK maintaining a turnover in recent years of around £10 billion. Over 50% of this is exported and, despite increasing global competition, the industry has sustained its rank as the North West’s number 1 exporter.
Out of the 1200 wider chemistry using companies there is a main body of approx 500 "core" and "downstream" manufacturers and, in addition, a cluster of over 300 "service" organisations ranging from distributors and traders through to engineering services and analytical test houses. As such the chemistry-using sector remains a critical component of the North West's economic performance and manufacturing capability.
The main cluster organisation supporting the chemical industry within the North West is Chemicals Northwest. They focus on key themes such as Image, Innovation, Skills and Sustainable Development. The UKTI North West International Trade Team work closely with industry, Chemicals Northwest, the Regional Development Agency and other partners to identify the international objectives of NW based chemical companies and to assist on an individual basis or with group projects. Recent examples of these have been country focused trade missions (Baltic countries), application focused work-shops (Printed Electronics / GHS & Trade Controls), shared stands at international exhibitions (ChemSpec Europe / InformexUSA).
The International Trade Adviser leading on the chemical sector for the North West is Tricia Francis. You can contact Tricia by email tricia.francis@uktinorthwest.co.uk or phone on 07966 560644.