The Fine Chemical Industry, 2000–2024

The fine chemical industry manufactures products that are used by many major industrial sectors, including the food and beverage, cosmetics, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, electronics, paper, automotive, painting, and water industries. The industry saw significant changes in the first quarter of the current century, including the uptake of new “greener” production technology, digitalization, and changes in the structure and geographical distribution. Despite its relevance and significant annual growth rates lasting for decades, knowledge of this industry among chemistry and chemical engineering scholars, including graduate and undergraduate students, is often limited. Providing an updated critical insight into industry and the main changes that have occurred in the past 25 years, this study identifies the technology and policy drivers of change. The conclusions of the study may inform further practice-oriented education on industrial aspects of the chemical enterprise.