Chemical industry in the UK - statistics & facts
The chemical and pharmaceuticals industry is one of the United Kingdom’s largest industries and is a hugely important part of the nation’s economy. In 2021, chemical industry revenues in the UK stood at 75.2 billion British pounds, with a GVA (gross value added) of 30.7 billion British pounds. The industry also plays a big role in the European chemical market, being one of the countries with the largest chemical revenue in the region.
Whilst chemical manufacturing can be found in all regions of the United Kingdom, the industry is most prevalent in the north of the country. The main chemical sites are in Scotland, Teeside, and the Humber, with the largest located in the North West of England.
UK chemical exports
In 2021, the value of chemicals exported by the UK to the United States amounted to nearly 12 billion U.S. dollars, making the North American country the UK's largest trade partner for chemical exports. Over the past decade the value of chemicals exported worldwide by the UK have fluctuated, peaking at 72.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2011. By 2021, this figure had dropped to 61.66 billion U.S. dollars.UK chemical companies
As of 2021, there were 4,535 companies in the chemical industry. One of the leading chemical companies in the UK is Johnson Matthey, a multinational which operates in a number of markets such as pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. In 2022, the company had a net income of approximately 14 billion British pounds. Another leading company is Croda International, which was the leading chemical company based on market capitalization as of January 2024.Whilst chemical manufacturing can be found in all regions of the United Kingdom, the industry is most prevalent in the north of the country. The main chemical sites are in Scotland, Teeside, and the Humber, with the largest located in the North West of England.
