Chemical industry snapshot
A leading industry
The chemical industry ranked the second exporter in Lithuania, after oil re铿乶ing with the strong tendency to be the first in the year 2022. Total sales in 2021 were 鈧�3.3 billion, up from 鈧�2.4 billion in 2020.
A strong exporter
Chemicals accounted for 13,9% in 2021 compared to 11,4% of Lithuania鈥檚 industry exports in 2020 and have been growing in recent years. The main products are phosphoric and nitrogen fertilisers and plastics, notably PET and products of biotechnologies.
The life sciences, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology sector has grown rapidly in recent years, with annual sales exceeding 鈧�2 billion and exceeded commodity chemical industries. The chemical industry is scattered throughout the country, including coastal areas. It employed 7,214 people in 2021.
How are we doing?
Strengths
- Well-educated labour force
- A university and research and university base with newly-created R&D centres Easy access to and expertise in the Russian markets
- Convenient logistics for road and sea transport
- Implementation of quality standards (mainly ISO) is widespread Constructive dialogue with the authorities
Challenges
- High prices for energy including natural gas
- Heavily reliant upon imported raw materials
- Government de铿乧it creates pressure to increase taxes and fees
Our contribution to a competitive Europe
Lithuania has set up three integrated Science, Studies and Business Centres (鈥淰alleys鈥�) designed to aid the development of its chemical industry.
- Sunrise Valley at Vilnius,
- Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology at Vilnius
- SANTAKA (pharmaceuticals and, life sciences) at Kaunas.聽
Two of the six Lithuanian smart specialisation priorities proposed are related to chemistry: medical and pharmaceutical engineering and new functional materials.
