The chemical industry ranks third in Lithuania, after oil refining and food production. Total sales in 2018 were €2.2 billion, up from €1.9 billion in 2017.
Lithuania
Lithuania
Chemical industry snapshot
A leading industry
How are we doing?
A strong exporter
Chemicals accounted for 7,96% in 2018 compared to 7,09% of Lithuania’s industry exports in 2017 and have been growing in recent years. The main products are phosphoric and nitrogen fertilisers and plastics, notably PET.
The nascent life sciences, pharma and biotech sector is growing fast, and now exceeds €500 million of annual sales. The chemical industry is dispersed around the country, including coastal areas. It employed 6,300 people in 2018.
Preparing the future
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
Weaknesses
- High prices for energy including natural gas
- Heavily reliant upon imported raw materials
- Government deficit creates pressure to increase taxes and fees
Our contribution to a competitive Europe
Lithuania has set up three integrated Science, Studies and Business Centres (“Valleys”) designed to aid the development of its chemical industry. They are Sunrise Valley at Vilnius; the Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology at Vilnius; and SANTAKA (pharmaceuticals and, life sciences) at Kaunas.
Two of the six Lithuanian smart specialisation priorities proposed are related to chemistry: medical and pharmaceutical engineering and new functional materials.