The Chemical Industry Association encompasses economic entities from the basic chemical industry, the production of industrial gases, the manufacturing of pharmaceutical products, the production of cosmetics and household products, as well as the production and processing of plastics and rubber.

The Chemical Industry Association within the Chamber includes around 60 economic entities, key representatives of this industry, covering all the aforementioned sectors. The chemical industry, along with the production and processing of plastics and rubber, represents a significant infrastructural industrial sector, whose products are utilized across nearly all segments of the economy, while also covering essential and vital areas of consumer demand. A particularly important segment experiencing continuous growth is the pharmaceutical industry, including the manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations.

At a session of the Chemical Industry Association held on 22 January 2025, Mr. Aleksandar Chadikovski, from TGS Tehnichki Gasovi DOO, Skopje, was elected as the President of the Association for the next five-year term, while Mr. Emil Evgenievski, from Alkaloid AD, Skopje, was elected as the Vice President.

As representatives of the Chemical Industry Association in the Assembly of the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia for the 2025-2030 mandate period, the following individuals were elected:

1.     Borijan Borozanov, Johnson Matthey DOOEL, Skopje

2.     Emil Evgenievski, Alkaloid AD, Skopje

3.     Dushan Pecovski, Replek Farm DOOEL, Skopje 

4.     Aleksandar Chadikovski, TGS Tehnichki Gasovi DOO, Skopje

 The chemical industry, along with the manufacture and processing of plastics and rubber, represents a significant infrastructural industrial sector. Its products are used across almost all segments of the economy and cover essential and vital areas of everyday life in consumer markets. Approximately 60% of its production is supplied as semi-finished goods to other industrial sectors, while the remaining 40% is marketed as final products.

A particularly important and continuously growing segment is the pharmaceutical industry, which includes the manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations.

Key indicators for this industry show a contribution of approximately 1.8% to 2% in added value to GDP and around 5% of total employment in the manufacturing industry.

Within the structure of industrial production in the manufacturing sector, these activities account for 7.86%.

Industrial Production by Year

The chemical sector generates an average annual export volume of approximately €2.1 billion.

Key installed facilities in the chemical industry focus on the manufacture and export of finished pharmaceuticals, paints and coatings, PVC powder, granules, and compounds, PVC pipes, plastic packaging, cosmetic products, construction additives, and industrial gases.

Existing production facilities and a highly skilled workforce provide a solid foundation for accelerated growth and investment, particularly in environmental protection projects. These projects focus on soil purification, catalytic coatings, water treatment products, and waste management solutions.

Regarding plastics manufacture and processing, there are installed facilities for plastic waste collection and recycling, contributing to environmental sustainability.

In 2024, chemical product exports totaled $2.21 billion, marking an 18% decrease compared to the same period in 2023. The majority of exports belong to the chemical materials and products subcategory, amounting to $1.84 billion in 2024, reflecting a 22% decline compared to the first 11 months of 2023, when exports stood at $2.38 billion. It is important to note that this high percentage is primarily due to the export of catalysts.

The chemical industry accounts for approximately 30% of the country’s total exports.