Chemical Science Small Businesses - Realising the Potential

The UK small and medium sized chemical science sector employs 120,000 people and generates almost £55 billion per annum of turnover making it important to both the UK chemical industry and the UK economy. 

The report by the RSC indicates that almost half the companies in the sector are growing and anticipate increasing their numbers of graduates over the next 2-3 years. 

Although this is a very positive message for the sector the majority of these companies predict difficulties in finding appropriately skilled graduates to fill these positions.   The report also identifies that many small companies find it increasingly difficult to interact with the research base making it difficult to exploit and commercialise innovative technologies. 

The report has many more findings with serious implications for UK chemical science companies and outlines how, in collaboration with others, the RSC can begin to help create a climate that will facilitate growth within this critical sector.