Chemical Manufacturing

A Key Supplier to Georgia’s Robust Manufacturing Industry

Why Georgia for Chemicals

Strong manufacturing and construction industries
Well-developed R&D market
Highly-skilled workers
Renowned workforce training program
Excellent accessibility to market
Business-friendly environment

PQ Announces Plan for New Silicate Furnace at its Georgia, USA Manufacturing Facility

"There continues to be increasing demand for silicates in North America. This investment in our local manufacturing infrastructure will help ensure that our valued customers have the resources to deliver their offerings in a cost-effective, sustainable manager. We have been a proud neighbor in Augusta for more than 58 years. We are excited to expand our strong presence in Georgia with this investment and continue to participate in the growth of this vibrant community."

Source: “PQ Announces Plan for New Silicate Furnace at its Georgia, USA Manufacturing Facility” PQ Press Release, 12.21.2023

Clorox Success Story

401

Chemical Mfg. locations in Georgia

GPC Economic Development, 2025

2nd

State for Job Growth (2025-2035)

Lightcast 2025.4Q

$10.5B

Chemical Manufacturing GRP

Lightcast 2025.4Q

Industry Snapshot

Despite the chemical manufacturing industry’s resurgence at the national level, this industry has been a constant in Georgia's economy. Chemical manufacturers seeking to expand or locate in Georgia can rely on the state’s robust and growing manufacturing and construction industries to drive demand for their products.

Additionally, the varied composition of the state's chemical manufacturing industry gives existing and potential facilities ample room to grow.

Top sectors include:

Other Chemical Products and Preparation
Resin, Synthetic Rubber, and Artificial and Synthetic Fibers
Soap & Cleaning Compounds

25,200

Chemical Manufacturing Industry Jobs

Lightcast 2025.4Q

13%

Anticipated Growth 2025 - 2035

Lightcast 2025.4Q

$25.79

Median Hourly Earnings

Lightcast 2025.4Q

Talent Critical to Chemical Manufacturing

Based on staffing patterns for the chemical manufacturing industry, Georgia has an abundance of workers employed in critical occupations. The graphs to the left illustrate the character of Georgia's chemical manufacturing talent. Occupations include:

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

Quality Talent for Less

Georgia is known for its high-quality affordable workforce. Wage rates in the state typically fall below the national average, particularly in manufacturing occupations. The state’s chemical manufacturing wages are no exception.

Projected growth of 13% in chemical manufacturing industry workers over the next decade compared to 5% nationally
Median hourly earnings of $25.79 compared to $29.00 nationally (based on top 10 chemical manufacturing industry staffing pattern occupations)

Top Employers

Georgia's chemical manufacturers produce diverse products - from pharmaceuticals and inorganic compounds to paints and fertilizers.

Basic Chemicals: SNF Inc. (1,000), Arxada (480)
Resin, Synthetic Rubber & Artificial Synthetic Fibers and Filaments: Aquafil USA Inc. (525), Indorama Ventures Hygiene (234)
Paint, Coating & Adhesives: Plaid Enterprises (530), Sherwin-Williams (330)
Pesticide, Fertilizer & Other Agricultural Chemicals: Nutrien (520), BASF Corp. (180)
Pharmaceuticals & Medicine: Takeda (1,500), Boehringer-Ingelheim Animal Health (1,223)
Soap, Cleaning Component & Toilet Preparation: Zep Inc. (330), Clorox (250),

92k

Industry-Relevant Grads. (2020-2024)

Lightcast 2025.4Q

#2

Leading Workforce Training Program

Area Development, 2025

22

Technical Colleges

TCSG, 2025

The People and Support Needed to Succeed

Georgia's high concentration of degree-seeking students and top-tier colleges and universities make the state one of the country’s richest in top-level talent. These institutions also offer companies access to cutting-edge research and development partnerships.

Since 2014, there has been a 34% increase in the number of graduates skilled in supporting Georgia's chemical manufacturing operations.
Georgia Tech ranks 4th for engineering R&D funding nationally and has benefited from a 88% uptick in engineering R&D funding since 2014.
Emory University is a top recipient of federally-funded medical research dollars, ranking among the top 20 universities nationwide.
Other valuable partners in the state include: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and Georgia Tech’s Manufacturing Institute (GTMI) and Center for Chemical Evolution