Blueprint for chemical sciences sector boosts investment

The latest investment figures, which have been compiled to coincide with Scottish Enterprise’s (SE) board meeting this month in Stirling, demonstrate some of the early achievements which are being reaped from the Chemical Sciences Scotland initiative.

SE’s eleven-strong board will meet in Stirling this week as part of a rolling programme of board meetings which are scheduled to take place across the enterprise agency’s local offices to provide greater opportunity for board members to engage further with Scotland’s key industries as well as hear first hand about the agency’s accomplishments.

Chairman of the Chemical Sciences Scotland initiative, Sandy Dobbie, will provide the SE board with an overview of the key challenges facing the sector in Scotland as well as a valuable insight to the economic benefits leveraged from activity undertaken since the strategy’s inception.

Developed by the chemical industry, in partnership with Scottish Enterprise’s Stirling-based Chemicals team, the Chemical Sciences Scotland strategy builds on Scotland’s long and distinguished history and reputation by driving sector improvements and aims to ensure a vibrant and competitive chemicals industry exists in Scotland in 20 years time.

With more than 100 active members from both the public and private sector already working to deliver the strategy, there are some notable early achievements with a significant increase in industry capital and R&D investment levels and the formation of a new regulatory forum which is bringing industry players and regulators together to enable the industry to grow in a sustainable controlled way.

Scottish Enterprise Chairman, Sir John Ward, comments: “I welcome the determination of this vibrant and innovative sector. These early successes are testament to hard work, determination and opportunity which this sector offers Scotland, and we believe the continued success of the strategy depends on the continued collaboration and contribution by the chemical industry and its key public and private sector partners.

“Together, we can work to achieve our vision for the future, growing a competitive and sustainable industry, based on enterprise, innovation and investment, which both enhance and exploit the R&D capabilities of business, academia and education institutes in Scotland.”

Sandy Dobbie, Chairman of Chemical Sciences Scotland, says: “This invitation to present to the SE board has provided the industry with a valuable opportunity to underline the importance of the Chemical Sciences sector to Scotland’s economic prosperity.

“Not only does the industry boast significant growth potential but it constantly pushes the boundaries of innovation both in industrial and academic realms. As one of Scotland’s top export earners and highest value industries the chemicals sector punches well above its weight in terms of adding value to Scotland.

“This is a long term strategy; however achievements to date demonstrate that with strong leadership from the industry and strong support and collaboration with the public sector, the chemical sciences have a vibrant future in Scotland."

Scottish Enterprise’s work with the Chemical Sciences sector is an exemplar of the industry-led approach which the enterprise agency is pursuing across Scotland with those sectors recognised to offer significant prospects for economic growth.

As a vital building block on which many key Scottish industries depend, the sector also offers strong opportunities for synergies with other industries such as Energy, Life Sciences, Textiles and Food and Drink.