Chemical substances and preparations are the foundation of our world. Chemicals are part of our daily lives. They are useful in many different ways. All chemicals have different, desired or adverse, healing or harmful effects.
The chemical industry is the most successful and diverse of the manufacturing sectors, with chemicals going into a wide range of consumer products including pharmaceutical substances, paints and inks, plastics and man-made rubber, fertilisers, soap and detergents, perfumes and cosmetics.
The European Union is the largest chemicals producer in the world accounting for more than half of global trade. Thus, the chemicals industry is vital to the success of the world’s economy.