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

Manus Bio Invests in Georgia’s Bioeconomy

“We look forward to manufacturing our ingredients in Georgia and contributing to the State’s bioeconomy. In particular, we are impressed by the talented employees and are appreciative of the strong support we have received from the local and state government.”

Dr. Ajikumar Parayil, Founder and CEO, Manus Bio Source: “Manus Bio Inc. to Open Manufacturing Facility in Augusta,” Governor’s Office Press Release, 7.3.2018

Clorox Success Story

792

Georgia Department of Labor 2019 Annual

23,169

Chemical Manufacturing Industry Jobs

EMSI, 3rd Q 2020

#2

Largest Manufacturing GRP

EMSI, 3rd Q 2020 (2019 data)

Industry Snapshot

Despite the chemical manufacturing industry’s recent resurgence at the national level, this industry has long 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
Soap, Cleaning Compound & Toilet Preparation
Basic Chemicals

650k

Georgia Workers in Relevant Occupations

EMSI, 3rd Q 2020

#1

State for Chemical Manufacturing Growth

EMSI 2020.3Q (Job Growth 2020 to 2030)

$15.61

Median Hourly Earnings

EMSI, 3Q 2020

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 8% in chemical manufacturing industry workers over the next decade compared to 0% nationally
Median hourly earnings of $15.61 compared to $17.40 nationally (based on top 10 chemical industry staffing pattern occupations)

Georgia offers an ample supply of skilled employees with a variety of technical backgrounds. In addition to the 23,169 workers directly employed in chemical manufacturing, there are more than 650,000 Georgians with industry relevant skill-sets.

Top Employers

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

Basic Chemicals: SNF Inc. (1,000), Huber Engineered Materials (517), Kemira (363), Airgas USA (300)
Resin, Synthetic Rubber & Artificial Synthetic Fibers and Filaments: FiberVisions Corp. (220), Aquafil USA Inc. (200)
Paint, Coating & Adhesives: Plaid Enterprises (530), Sherwin-Williams (330), TCI Powder Coatings (200)
Pesticide, Fertilizer & Other Agricultural Chemicals: BASF (770)
Pharmaceuticals & Medicine: Boehringer-Ingelheim (1,338), Takeda (1,000)
Soap, Cleaning Component & Toilet Preparation: Zep Inc. (430), Clorox (250)

17k

Annual Chemical Mfg. Related Graduates

IPEDS, 2019

#1

Leading Workforce Training Program

Area Development, 2019

22

Technical Colleges

TCSG, 2020

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 2015, there has been a 14% increase in the number of graduates skilled in supporting Georgia's chemical manufacturing operations.
Georgia Tech ranks 2nd for engineering R&D funding nationally and has benefited from a 36% uptick in engineering R&D funding since 2010.
Emory University is a top recipient of federally-funded medical research dollars, ranking among the top 15 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