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Chemicals

Estonia has an export-oriented Chemicals sector benefitting from a full value chain and world-class skills in oil shale, rare earth metals and petrochemicals. Our pro-business environment is competitive and trustworthy, with digitalisation applied to deliver new capabilities.

  • #3 globally for science education
  • #6 in Europe for ease of doing business
  • 85% of output exported
  • 18th century, oil shale production began

Our advantages

1stglobally in entrepreneurial activity
Talent poolHighly qualified, multilingual and skilled talent pool.
Chemical industryWorld-class expertise in oil shale, rare earth metals, petrochemicals and fertilisers.
LogisticsFull chemicals value chain from production to testing and logistics.
ITExtensive application of IT in operations, management and innovation.
Ease of doing businessTrustworthy and competitive business environment within EU.

Overview

Estonia’s heritage dates to the 18th century when oil shale production began, today it benefits from a modern, high-quality chemicals industry oriented to global markets.

Estonia’s advantages start early, ranking top 10 globally in the teaching of science, maths and IT. The Institute of Chemistry at Tartu University plus vocational competence centres ensure a significant percentage of the workforce possess relevant education in addition to being multilingual and well trained.

Belying its compact size, Estonia possesses globally unique expertise in oil shale and rare earth metals, and is highly experienced in the production, blending and storage of value-added petrochemical and fertiliser products.

Estonia’s value chain, which is largely located in the Ida-Virumaa region, includes modern production and storage facilities; ISO accredited testing centres offering measurement, analyses and chromatography; and a growing R&D capability. A full logistics capability, including specialist storage, allows goods to be exported efficiently by sea, rail or road.

Global giants such as Henkel, Neo Performance Materials, Ostchem and Tikkurila trust Estonia to produce high value, sensitive products. Eastman produces a range of speciality chemicals in Kohtla-Järve for export to global industrial, food and medical industries. ISO and FSSC accredited, the 66 acre site benefits from environmentally sustainable features such as shared power and water facilities.

In the future, Estonia’s world-class IT skills will deliver new efficiencies and capabilities to the chemicals industry. Improved enterprise planning and automation will support lower capital and operating expenditures. Deeper insights on performance will allow the delivery of higher value solution in a more proactive manner. Blockchain technologies will assure global supply chain integrity.

Whether you seek customised, high-quality production within the EU regulatory framework or world class digitalisation capability, Estonia is a competitive, scalable location for chemicals businesses.

Chemicals

These websites can be useful when interested in the Chemical industry in Estonia:

You are also welcome to send us a request for personal e-consulting to obtain more specific information.

Business opportunities in Estonia

News & events

Need more information?

Need more information?

What is it like to run a business in Estonia? How to benefit from the e-solutions and the efficiency of our business culture? What are the opportunities in specific sectors? Who to partner up with?

The Estonian Investment Agency’s team is happy to help you via its complimentary e-Consulting service, organize online or offline follow-up events such as virtual investment visits and guide you through the fairly simple process of investing in Estonia.

Request e-consulting