Some major U.K. chemical companies

Although all the major multinational chemical giants have manufacturing facilities in the U.K., either directly or via subsidiary companies, we shall confine our attention here to those which are incorporated, or have their headquarters, in the U.K. They are Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), Zeneca, Shell Chemicals, B.P. Chemicals, Croda International, Smith Kline Beecham, Glaxo, Fisons, Albright and Wilson, Laporte, Rio Tinto Zinc, and Unilever. Let us now briefly consider each of these in turn. 

For many years this has been the U.K. s largest chemical company and indeed was always placed in the top five in the world. In 1993 the decision 

ICI retained the bulk chemical businesses such as petrochemicals, industrial chemicals and also materials and paints. Profits in 1993 were 290 million from sales of 7.6 billion. This still made it the fifth largest chemical producer in the world, but down from the third position which it occupied prior to Zeneca splitting off. Although it has manufacturing plants in many locations, its main plants are found on Merseyside and Teesside. 

Zeneca was formed in 1993 from the agrochemical, pharmaceutical and speciality chemicals parts of ICI. It therefore concentrates its activities on fine chemicals, particularly those that are biologically active. Note that it also encompasses the areas which are the most research intensive. Its main manufacturing locations include Fernhurst, Grangemouth, Huddersfield and Macclesfield. 

Croda International. This group of companies started with the manufacture of lanolin from wool greases, and oleochemicals, i.e. glycerides, fatty acids and compounds derived from them, remain an area of major importance. Other areas of interest include coal-tar chemicals heterocyclic compounds polymers used in adhesives, inks, paints and resins and foodstuffs. Manufacturing locations are centred on Humberside, Wolverhampton and Leek in Staffordshire. 

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