Chemical SMEs defined by numbers

These facts and figures show that chemical SMEs may be small, but they are a significant and essential part of the global industry

Rex Features

406
-The number of US companies with one to 19 employees involved in plastics material and resin manufacturing
SOURCE: US Census Bureau

Fewer than 500 employees
-The US definition of an SME: “We define SME the way the Small Business Administration does – below 500 employees. However, most of our member companies (80%) are 100 employees or less and some people use that as the barometer internally”
SOURCE: Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates

2.31bn tonnes
The amount of material moved by the UK’s Chemical Business Association (CBA) member companies in 2008
SOURCE: CBA

100%
The number of members signed up to Responsible Care
SOURCE: CBA

6
Number of incidents per million tonnes moved in 2008
SOURCE: CBA

17,093
The number of micro enterprises operating in the EU chemical industry, having less than 10 employees.These provide 3.8% of employment and generate nearly2% of sales
SOURCE: Cefic/Eurostat

23m
The number of SMEs in the EU, providing around 75m jobs and representing 99% of all enterprises
SOURCE: EU

96%
The percentage of European chemical companies that are SMEs, having less than 250 employees, providing 37% of all jobs and generating 30% of sales
SOURCE: Cefic/Eurostat

41,123
The number of enterprises operating in the EU chemical industry (excluding the pharmaceuticals sector), providing employment for 1.8m people in 2007
SOURCE: Eurostat

<250
The number of employees the EU defines as an SME: “The category of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is made up of enterprises which employ fewer than 250 persons and which have an annual turnover not exceeding €50m [$64m], and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding €43m”
SOURCE: EU

6
The average number of employees in an EU enterprise
SOURCE: EU

Read Paul Hodges’s Chemicals & the Economy blog for a look at key industry influencers over the next 12-18 months