The Canadian chemical industry is comprised of a range of firms that specialize in the treatment and conversion of various substances for the production of chemical products.
is diverse and includes basic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, and paints and adhesives, among other products. As one of the country’s largest industries, the chemicals sector is vital to Canada’s economy. In 2022,
had a total value of 72.7 billion Canadian dollars. Moreover, the industry is a
, employing some 90,800 people in 2022. The industry has far-reaching ties, with trading partners located throughout the globe.
Imports and exports
Imports and exports of the Canadian chemical industry have seen steady growth since the turn of the century. In 2022, imports and exports amounted to 89.6 and 52.8 billion Canadian dollars, respectively. The United States is Canada’s largest trading partner for both imports and exports.
Canadian chemical exports to its southern neighbor amounted to nearly 40.1 billion Canadian dollars in 2022, while exports to China, the second leading destination for Canadian chemicals, amounted to 1.86 billion Canadian dollars. In terms of export value,
pharmaceuticals is the largest segment for worldwide chemical exports from Canada, with this figure more than tripling between 2010 and 2022.
Major industry players
As of 2022, Nutrien was by far the
leading chemical company headquartered in Canada in terms of market capitalization. The Saskatchewan-based firm is the global leader in the production of crop inputs, including nitrogen, phosphate, and
potash. Another key player in the Canadian chemicals sector is Vancouver-based Methanex. As the worldwide leader in the
production of methanol, Methanex’s products find applications in a wide variety of industries including construction, energy, and textiles. With regard to concentration of chemical operations, Ontario is home to
Canada’s largest chemical manufacturing sector, with operations from 9 out of the world’s largest 15 chemical firms located there.
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