Study paints grim picture for U.K. chemicals

Abstract

A sober, if gloomy, prospect faces the chemical industry in the U.K. 'There is strong evidence that the industry will decline significantly by 1990, maintains Gareth H. Thomas of the London-based National Economic Development Office. I hope very much that somebody can convince me that this analysis is wrong because the implications are serious. Speaking at a recent meeting of the Society of Chemical Industry in London, Thomas presented the salient points of a major study on the near-term prospects for the industry. The study, to be published soon, is a followup on one made two years ago by the chemicals committee of the National Economic Development Council (NEDC). This latest NEDC study centers on nine main branches of the industry—agrochemicals, dyes and pigments, fertilizers, inorganics, paints, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, soaps and detergents, and specialty organic chemicals. Those facing the prospect of serious decline are fertilizers, inorganics, and petrochemicals. Four—agrochemicals, dyes ...