This document compares chemical clusters in Europe. It finds that European chemical clusters have well-developed business environments, infrastructure, skilled labor forces, and proximity to suppliers. However, they also face high costs, a fragmented market, and regulatory burdens. The document analyzes the size, specialization, management, funding, priorities and services of chemical clusters compared to other industries. It shows chemical clusters are similar in size to European peers but more driven by industry than research.

1. Chemical Clusters in Europe – A Comparison
Gerd Meier zu Köcker
Institute for Innovation and Technology (iit)
Brussels, February 27, 2014

2. European Framework Conditions for Clusters in the
Chemical Industry
 Well developed business environment to reach high levels of
productivity
 availability of efficient transportation infrastructure and services
 good access to a highly qualified labour force
 Proximity of suppliers and related and supporting industries
 many global players and market leaders
 Excellent R&D infrastructure
 High factor costs
 Fragmented European market
 Regulatory environment leads to a significant cost burden for the
European chemical industry
 Improving framework conditions outside, esp. US

3. Main Industrial Agglomerations in Chemical Industry

4. Size of Cluster vs. Specialisation*
SpecialisationIndex
Number of enterprises per region
Lazio
Rheinland-Pfalz
Toscana
Veneto
*Data source: European Cluster
Observatory
High critical mass + high specialisationHigh critical mass + high specialisation
High critical mass + low specialisationHigh critical mass + low specialisation
Low critical mass +
high specialisation
Low critical mass +
high specialisation
Low critical mass +
low specialisation
Low critical mass +
low specialisation
Lombardia

5. Share of Professional Cluster Managements
Total vs. Chemical Sector

6. Chemical Cluster are of Similar Size as European Peers
Chemistry
Total

7. Industrial Driven vs. R&D Driven
Excellentportfolio
Chemistry

8. Biotech vs. Chemical Clusters
Specialisation vs. Broad Coverage
ChemistryChemistry

9. Critical Mass and Membership Growth
Chemistry

10. Chemistry
Biotechnology
Biotech vs. Chemical Clusters
Share of Public Funding Rate of Cluster Organisations

11. ChemistryExcellence Portfolio
Thematic Priorities of Services Offered
by Clustermanagements

12. ChemistryExcellence Portfolio
Business Support Services Offered by Cluster-
managements in the Field of Technology and Product Development

13. ChemistryExcellence Portfolio
Business Support Services Offered by Cluster-
managements in the Field of Internationalisation