In 2021, the chemical sector with the highest research and development (R&D) spending worldwide was the multispecialty segment, with investments of 11.9 billion U.S. dollars. The second most significant sector in terms of R&D spending in the global chemical industry in 2021 was the focused specialties segment, with an investment of 7.2 billion U.S. dollars. Both of these segments represent crucial elements of the specialty chemicals sector; such R&D expenditures may suggest that the industry holds an optimistic view about the future of this sector.
Research and development (R&D) spending in the chemical industry worldwide in 2021, by segment
(in billion U.S. dollars)
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Research and development (R&D) spending in the chemical industry worldwide in 2021, by segment
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The sample includes only publicly listed chemical companies with revenues of more than three billion dollars and research and development spending worth more than 0.5 percent of revenues.
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BCG. (November 10, 2022). Research and development (R&D) spending in the chemical industry worldwide in 2021, by segment (in billion U.S. dollars) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 15, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1477573/global-research-and-development-spending-chemicals-by-segment/
BCG. "Research and development (R&D) spending in the chemical industry worldwide in 2021, by segment (in billion U.S. dollars)." Chart. November 10, 2022. Statista. Accessed April 15, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1477573/global-research-and-development-spending-chemicals-by-segment/
BCG. (2022). Research and development (R&D) spending in the chemical industry worldwide in 2021, by segment (in billion U.S. dollars). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 15, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1477573/global-research-and-development-spending-chemicals-by-segment/
BCG. "Research and Development (R&d) Spending in The Chemical Industry Worldwide in 2021, by Segment (in Billion U.S. Dollars)." Statista, Statista Inc., 10 Nov 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1477573/global-research-and-development-spending-chemicals-by-segment/
BCG, Research and development (R&D) spending in the chemical industry worldwide in 2021, by segment (in billion U.S. dollars) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1477573/global-research-and-development-spending-chemicals-by-segment/ (last visited April 15, 2025)
Research and development (R&D) spending in the chemical industry worldwide in 2021, by segment (in billion U.S. dollars) [Graph], BCG, November 10, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1477573/global-research-and-development-spending-chemicals-by-segment/
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