The EU is the largest chemical manufacturing region in the world, accounting for a third of world production. Spain is the fifth largest chemical producer in Europe and the seventh in the world.
The Spanish chemical industry is mainly concentrated in Catalonia, where practically half of the chemical production in Spain is generated. Likewise, almost 50% of Spain's chemical product exports are shipped from Catalonia.
Basic chemistry is the industry's main sub-sector. It specifically accounts for 48% of production. It should be pointed out that within Spain, Catalonia accounts for 60% of the country's basic chemistry production. The fine chemistry sector (66% of Spain's total production) is another sub-sector that is also worthy of mention.
These figures are a result of the concentration of the chemical sector in the area around Tarragona, whose Petrochemical Industrial Estate is considered to be one of the main chemical focal points in southern Europe. In the area of Tarragona alone, there are 47 companies that generate 4,900 jobs directly and a further 25,000 indirectly. Their production capacity almost reaches 18,300 metric tons, they have an annual turnover of 5,600 million euros and they account for 25% of Spain's total chemical production.
Some of the most well known companies in the sector include the Basf Group, Dow Chemical Ibérica, Ercross Tarragona, Lanxess Chemicals, Henkel, Repsol Química, and Bayer Hispania Industrial.
The trade fair, Expoquimia, is held in Barcelona every two years. Other fairs held include Equiplast (devoted to plastics and rubber) and Eurosurface (devoted to paints and products for treating surfaces).
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Updated 17/11/2008
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