The Netherlands offers the chemical industry:

	an excellent infrastructure
	one of the lowest levels of energy cost within the EU
	a highly productive, well-educated labour-force
	variety and availability of basic chemicals
	a clearly articulated, integrated long-term environmental policy

The $31 billion Dutch chemical industry accounts for 18% of the country's industrial production, making it the second largest sector after the food industry. The Netherlands, with just 4% of the EU population, produces 6% of its chemicals and 10% of its basic chemicals.

The Dutch advantage in chemicals grew quickly with the advent of local giants such as Shell, Akzo and DSM, combined with the large domestic availability of natural resources as coal, natural gas, oil and salt.

In addition to producers of chemicals there are also about 100 chemical product trading companies in the Netherlands with total annual sales of about $6 billion. From base chemicals measured in tons to specialties sold in grams and even milligrams, all types of chemicals are easy to obtain.

The Netherlands has developed a highly advanced infrastructure for transporting-storing of chemicals. The Dutch ethylene pipeline network is part of the north-west European system and connects with 40% of European ethylene capacity. The Dutch also have additional pipeline networks for natural gas, oil and industrial gases. Nearly one-third of European non-captive tank capacity for chemicals is located in the Netherlands.

Close to other major industrial centers in Europe, Rotterdam is Europe's chief chemicals port. Quick delivery to many large customers in the automotive, electronics and packaging industries is assured.

The Netherlands is the fifth largest exporter of chemicals world-wide. The sector is essential to the Dutch economy: chemicals make up 18% of the country's exports, and chemical exports account for 8% of Dutch GDP; 80% of chemical production is exported.

For these reasons, several fine-chemical companies have set up manufacturing plants in the Netherlands. Examples vary from fine-chemicals to more basic materials and to pharmaceuticals.