Welcome to the Chemicals Sector Faculty

Specialist Advice & Support for SMEs 

The chemical sector underpins virtually all manufacturing, and includes the production of commodity/bulk chemicals, speciality chemicals, polymers, and consumer chemicals to mention a few. Businesses who make chemical products and solutions are integral to 96% of all manufactured goods*.

The UK is a leading global chemical producer, guided by innovation and sustainability, and is one of the largest manufacturing exporters in the UK, with a total value of exports worth approximately £28.5 billion in 2021 (excluding pharma). 

The DIT Chemicals team: 

• Ensures that UK companies in the chemicals supply chain are accessing the support available to them via DIT’s regional, overseas and sector teams. 

• Promotes UK expertise at overseas trade shows, conferences and with individual key customers. 

• Identifies new high value markets and new opportunities for UK businesses. 

• Promotes UK’s expertise in formulated products across key DIT high value sectors such as infrastructure, marine, automotive etc 

• Engages with trade associations and industry bodies to ensure that no business with the capability to trade overseas misses the opportunity to do so. 

The Chemicals faculty is bought to you in collaboration with the Export Academy to support export skills development. Please sign up to hear how the DIT Chemicals team and colleagues across the UK and overseas can help your company with your international focus.  

How can we help? 

With the chemical sector being so wide ranging, the focus and support of the DIT Chemicals team relates primarily to UK manufacturers of fine and speciality chemicals rather than bulk/commodity chemicals. Whether it is ingredients for food and medicines, paints and coatings for cars and planes, or materials for mobile phones and electric vehicle batteries; the DIT team are here to assist and support UK companies involved in the chemical supply chain across of number of other areas. 

The Chemical team’s priority markets include Germany, Turkey, India and China and we have dedicated chemical teams in British Embassies, Consulates and High Commissions in these markets. However, we also work closely with colleagues in other countries and can make suitable introductions to DIT staff  

The team regularly speak at events run by chemical Trade Associations and DIT regional teams, outlining the support we can give to UK companies. We also are involved in running UK pavilions, giving UK companies the opportunity to co-exhibit with DIT across of number of trade shows overseas; such as Chemspec Europe, Incosmetics and the “K” show.  

*[Source: Chemical Industries Association, 2021]  

About Us 

The DIT Chemicals team consists of 8 officials and is split between supporting foreign direct investment and assisting the trade promotion of UK companies overseas. 

The trade team works closely with DIT staff across the UK, Devolved Administrations and colleagues based in British Embassies, Consulates and High Commissions across the world in their support of UK chemical companies.  

The team also maintains close contact with other government departments relevant for the chemical industry; including BEIS, DEFRA and HSE. 

To get in touch with the team, please contact samuel.weston@trade.gov.uk

Events

Resources 

DIT Chemicals Brochure

Contact 

Talk to us about how we can help. 

Contact your local trade office and seek advice directly from one of our expert trade advisors 

To sign up to the UK Export Academy Chemicals Sector Faculty and help to grow your business by learning how to sell to new customers all around the world, click below on Register for the UK Export Academy.