Launched recently by Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism Fergus Ewing, Chemical Sciences Scotland’s refreshed Strategy targets a 50% increase in manufactured exports from the sector by 2020.

This target represents a significant commitment from the sector which is currently Scotland’s second largest exporter behind food & drink with approximately £3 billion pounds of exports annually.

The strategy, which is owned by Chemical Sciences Scotland, the voice of the sector in Scotland, was developed with support from Scottish Enterprise and the Chemical Sciences Scotland topic groups who represent the sector in Scotland.

Entitled ‘Platform for Growth’, the refreshed strategy looks to build on the work and successes of the previous strategy over the past five years. The objective of sustaining a vibrant and growing chemical sciences sector within Scotland for years to come, remains at the heart of this refresh.

Minister Fergus Ewing also announced an additional £1 million investment by synthetic fuels producer Sasol Technology UK at its research and development facility in St Andrews. Sasol is using the principles of nanotechnology to develop a new generation of catalysts to make energy production more efficient. 

Welcoming the strategy, Scottish Enterprise chief executive Lena Wilson, said: "Chemical Sciences Scotland has made significant progress since its inception in 2007. Strong export performance and continued growth underlines the sector's resilience and economic value, while its ambition, determination and achievements bode well for the future.

“We continue to support this industry, and its ambitious companies, to invest in growth. By working together, we can create a globally competitive 21st century chemical sciences sector-based in Scotland.”

• Download the refreshed strategy
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