Chemical & Petrochemicals

The chemical industry has four segments:

  1. petrochemicals
  2. fertilizers
  3. inorganic chemicals
  4. specialty and fine chemicals

Few people know that Alberta is Canada's leading petrochemicals manufacturer. The province is to four major petrochemical plants with a combined annual production capacity of almost nine billion pounds. Two Alberta chemical plants - at Joffre and Fort Saskatchewan - are the world's largest.

Petrochemical production is one of Alberta’s largest manufacturing industries.  In 2007, the industry accounted for sales of over $14 billion and exports of $7.2 billion to global markets such as the USA, China, Korea, Mexico, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan.

The viability of the industry, which directly employs more than 7,000 Albertans, is dependant on access to a secure and affordable supply of natural gas liquid (NGL) feedstock, especially ethane.

The Alberta Government has been working with stakeholders to assist in securing and expanding sustainable feedstock supplies and to find ways to enhance opportunities in the petrochemical sector.

The petrochemical industry has invested approximately $9 billion in Alberta since the 1970s to substantially increase production capacity for ethylene, polyethylene, ethylene glycol and linear olefins. For example, ethylene production has nearly doubled in recent years as a result of expansions at both Joffre and Fort Saskatchewan.

Numerous Industry Employment Opportunities

The petrochemical industry is a major contributor to Alberta's economy. As a result, Alberta suppliers also have the expertise to satisfy customers in the global marketplace. The industry provides employment opportunities to graduates from Alberta's 35 post-secondary learning institutions. The 7,773 engineers, scientists, technologists, operators, tradesmen, and support personnel working in Alberta's chemical industry share an annual payroll of $526 million.

Alberta's Chemical Industry Operators

Major players in Alberta's chemical industry include the following companies:

For more information about Alberta's Chemical and Petrochemical Industry, contact:

Date Updated: Mar 18, 2009
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