The Past, the Present, and Prospects for the Chemical Industry in Colombia

The primary industry sectors that form the backbone of the chemical industry in Colombia are hydrocarbon refining and production (oil); coal, gold, and ferronickel mining; cement production; chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing; and consumer product (e.g., food, beverages, personal care, and cleaning products) production. Food and beverage and consumer product production, although not typically thought of as part of the chemical industry, are discussed here because of their economic importance to Colombia and because they employ a significant number of process engineers, chemical engineers, and food engineers. This article reviews the history of the chemical industry in Colombia, presents some economic data, and looks at future prospects.