Engineers working on site
About

What we do

As a membership organisation funded by subscription, we are committed to establishing the UK as the location of choice for industry growth. With 4,100 businesses nationwide providing the advanced materials essential to the production of 95% manufacturing goods, the chemical industry is fuelling UK growth.

Untitled design

 

At the Chemical Industries Association ensuring that member companies are represented at the highest level in Government is not just a goal, but a fundamental priority.

To do this we work with across a large number of organisations and supporting bodies, with and opposite government on political, economic and legislative issues affecting industry’s licence to operate and compete in UK, EU and the rest of the world. All aimed at making the UK as competitive a place as possible for members to trade and invest in.

Who we are>

 

Meeting user needs

All work undertaken by the association is focused on meeting our members’ needs. Our objectives are to:

Secure policy and regulatory environment that supports competitiveness, innovation and growth.

Maximise global trade opportunities 

Secure competitive net zero transition  

Secure the industry’s current and future workforce. 

How do we achieve this?

Collaboration

Highlighting the importance of working together with other industry leaders and staying ahead of industry trends by sharing insights, resources, expertise and through events driving collective growth and success.

Innovation

A commitment to promoting and facilitating innovation within the chemical industry, providing members with opportunities to explore new technologies, processes, and solutions to stay competitive and address evolving market demands.

Advocacy

Representing the interests of our members on key issues, advocating for policies, regulations, and market conditions that support the growth and sustainability of the chemical industry.

Find out about membership benefits

Who we work with

Our representation includes lobbying legislators, policy-makers and stakeholders on the issues that affect our member companies the most. We do this at UK, European and International level.  

17.5% (3)

Chemical Industry APPG

To brief Members on issues affecting chemical and pharmaceutical businesses in the UK and act as a forum for Members to express views.

Find out more

We contribute to ensuring a sustainable industry through the work of the Chemistry Council and by influencing UK Government policy through engagement on the budget, calls for evidence, and numerous government departments. 

17.5% (5)
  • Department for Business & Trade
  • Department for Energy Security & Net Zero
  • Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs
  • Department for Levelling UP, Housing & Communities
  • Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
  • Department for Work & Pensions
  • HM Treasury
  • Health and Safety Executive
  • Environment Agency
  • Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
  • Natural Resources Wales (HAS)
  • Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS)
  • Ofgem
  • International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA)
  • Cefic European Chemical Industry Council - Representing the UK on Cefic Board

Visit our policy areas to find out more

Policy Areas > 

Working for you

These are just some of the hightlights of the CIA's work:

Continued to deliver our Chemical Sector Climate Change Agreement helping the sector to reduce electricity and gas costs by £153m last year.

Secured a relook at GB REACH that would minimise costly replicating data duplications exercise estimated to cost UK businesses £2bn.

Successfully secured continued indirect carbon price relief until 2025 for energy intensive businesses totalling £35m.

Strong industry leadership on net zero with a 2021 collective agreement to reduce 50% emissions by 2034 and 90% by 2050, alongside new support tools for SME’s on their climate and wider sustainability journeys.

Assisted 95% of chemical sites in achieving a “well performing” rating for environmental protection

  • Slide 1

  • Slide 2

  • Slide 3

  • Slide 4

  • Slide 5

The CIA owns and supports

The Chemical Industries Association owns and supports three organisations. Visit these sites to find out more.

  • CIABATA

    CIABATA

    Manages and administers the chemical sector climate change agreement with the Department for Business and Trade and the Environment Agency.

  • Chemicals_Northwest

    ChemicalsNorthwest

    Chemicals Northwest is the industry-led, chemical cluster support organisation for the £10 billion North West chemical sector, the largest in the UK.

  • REACHReady

    REACHReady

    Supporting individuals in companies affected by the EU REACH Regulation.