The chemicals industry in the region is broadly split into two distinct geographical clusters centred on West Yorkshire and the Humber. In West Yorkshire there are around 230 companies employing 11,000 people, and the Humber is the base for 120 companies with 13,000 employees.

A long tradition of chemicals-related manufacture means that the region has a highly skilled workforce geared to the particular needs of the industry. It is experienced in all areas of production, innovation and marketing and is well accustomed to working in a continuous environment of 365 day operations.

The region is also fortunate to have a hub of university chemistry departments including the only UK school of Colour Chemistry at Leeds University. Other leading chemicals-based research is undertaken in Sheffield, Leeds, Huddersfield, York, Bradford and Hull universities which produce around 10% of England's science graduates, and have produced Nobel Laureates and the materials that have powered so much development in our society.

Sheffield, Leeds and York have been identified by the RSC as one of the UK's major clusters of chemical science spin out (Chemical Science Spin-outs from UK Universities 2005).

The region has an active program of skills support. One example includes the Centre for Assessment of Technical Competence Humber (CATCH) facility on the Humber. This unique facility, supported by Yorkshire Forward and operated by Humber Chemical Focus, comprises a development site and full-scale mock chemical plant replicating the real-life size and complexity of equipment found in industry but operating with non-hazardous liquids and powders.