Cheshire

Cheshire County Council is a Local Government Organisation representing the North West of England - Cumbria, Lancashire, Manchester and Merseyside, on the European Chemical Regions Network (ECRN) and the UK’s DICIDA (Development Initiative for Chemical Industry Dependent Areas) network.

Cheshire stands between the West Midlands and the conurbations of Manchester and Liverpool and is surrounded by strong natural boundaries: the Mersey Valley to the North: the Pennines to the East and South East, and Welsh mountains to the West. Covering over 2,300 square kilometres, Cheshire is a diverse and historic area both socially and economically, and has 1 million people living within its borders, equating to 15% of the North West’s population.

Cheshire has the most successful economy in the North West. It is the UK’s fifth best performing sub-region in GVA (Gross Value Added) terms, with economic output per head of around 27% above the regional average, and 13% above the national average. The sector currently provides half of Cheshire’s manufacturing output and is of key importance to Cheshire’s economy with 139 companies employing 14,000 personnel directly, and supporting a further 56,000 indirectly. The industry generates annual sales of 3 billion euros, with over half of its production being exported.

Cheshire is home to Shell Global Solutions, previously Shell Research which is spearheading the development of new bio-fuels, bio-lubes and low-sulphur fuels and is also at the hub of a rapidly developing life science and clinical community. Additionally it is home to Astra Zeneca’s main European Research and Development facility and its second largest manufacturing plant.

Cheshire is still synonymous with innovation and cutting edge development and is home to some of the industry’s most dynamic and successful companies including: Shell Chemicals, Shell UK Oil Products Ltd, Ineos Chlor, Kemira Growhow Ltd, Associated Octel, Brunner Mond, CIBA Speciality Chemicals, Hay Chemicals, Cabot Carbon, British Salt, Solvay Speciality Chemicals, DSM Resins.