The UK’s biggest manufacturing exporter and one of it’s largest energy users, the chemical industry, has come out in support of the goal of net zero carbon emissions.

The Council of the Chemical Industries Association (business leaders of national and international companies) said “the Chemical Industry in the UK not only supports but will continue to work to the nation’s goal of 2050 net zero carbon emissions.” 

Steve Elliott, Chief Executive of the Association said “The chemical industry is uniquely placed to provide both a direct and indirect contribution to achieving net zero by 2050.  Directly, we are continuously working to improve our emissions performance, with the past 30 years seeing an improvement in our energy efficiency by 58%, alongside transitioning to cleaner sources of energy.”

He added “Indirectly, we are ‘the builder’ of a net zero economy. The chemicals we manufacture are essential components to energy-saving products. Our solutions are used at home, at work and throughout everyday life, saving at least 2 tonnes of greenhouse gases for every 1 tonne we directly emit."

He concluded: “to maximise the chances of meeting this ambitious goal we need significant public and private investment in new technology and infrastructure.  Such a partnership can help deliver secure and competitive feedstock and energy, boosting chemical investment and delivering more sustainable solutions for society.”

ENDS

NOTES

For further information and an interview with Steve Elliott, please contact CIA's Simon Marsh on 07951 389197 or [email protected]. 

• The chemical and pharmaceutical industry adds £19.2 billion of value to the UK economy every year from total annual turnover of £55.5 billion.

• In addition to gross value added, the sector also contributes to the UK economy in its position at the head of many supply chains within manufacturing and its employment of a well remunerated, high-skilled workforce. We support 500,000 jobs both directly and indirectly Chemical manufacturing adds over £10 billion in gross value added annually and pharmaceutical manufacturing over £8 billion.

• The wider chemical and pharmaceutical sector (manufacturing plus distribution) is the largest exporter of manufactured goods with annual exports of over £55 billion.

• 63% of companies in the sector export what they make to the world, the highest proportion of any goods manufacturing sector in the UK economy. 60% of our exports go to the European Union and 75% of our imports and raw materials come from the European Union.

• The sector’s level of business investment is around £5 billion (compared to automotive £3.6 billion and aerospace £1.5 billion, while the expenditure on research & development is £5.0 billion (automotive £2.7 billion and aerospace £2.1 billion).
                     
• The products and technologies of the Chemical industry are essential parts of medicines, food & drink, telecommunications, energy-saving, I.T, clothing and much more.

• For every tonne of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emitted, our products and technologies enable over 2 tonnes of GHG emissions savings.