Chemical industry in the United Kingdom

The chemical industry in the United Kingdom is one of the UK's main manufacturing industries. At one time, the UK's chemical industry was a world leader. The industry has also been environmentally damaging, and includes radioactive nuclear industries.

History
Weston Point chemical works, off the M56, near Runcorn and the River Weaver and the Weaver Viaduct

Sir William Henry Perkin FRS discovered the first synthetic dye mauveine in 1856, produced from aniline, having tried to synthesise quinine at his home on Cable Street in east London. Perkin's work, alone, led the way to the British chemical industry.

21% of the UK's chemical industry is in North West England, notably around Runcorn and Widnes. The chemical industry is 6.8% of UK manufacturing; around 85% of the UK chemical industry is in England.

Output

In 2015, the UK chemical industry exported £50bn of products.[1] The industry employs about 30,000 in research and development.

Regulation

Regulation of the UK chemical industry is largely under the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals legislation (REACH).

Chemical plants

Teesside and Cheshire are areas with an established chemical industry. Significant chemical plants in the UK include:

Companies

Significant chemical companies in the UK have been:

Organisations

Relevant organisations related to the UK chemical industry are the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), the Chemical Industries Association, and the Society of Chemical Industry. The chemical industry in Europe is represented by the European Chemical Industry Council or CEFIC.

See also

References
  1. CIA 2015 report
  2. UK Government chmical sector report 2017
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