Chemical Industry together with the production and processing of plastics and rubber is significant infrastructure industrial branch, which products are used in almost all segments of economy, while in general consumption covers significant and vital life spheres.             Around 60 percent of the production is delivered as semi-finished products to other industrial branches, and the other 40 percent are delivered as finished products.                                        Special significant part, which shows continuous growth, is the pharmaceutical industry, production of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations.       Production of chemicals and chemical products in the structure of total industrial production  of the country in 2012 have a share of 2,29 percent and production of plastic products and rubber with 2 percent and production of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations of 2,47 percent or total share of 6,7 percent. Approximately such is the share in the structure of added value of industry and mining.
In 2012 the production of chemicals and chemical products notes a drop by 13,9 percent.  In the production of rubber and plastic products in 2012 is increased by 20 percent compared to the previous year. The production of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations shows continuous growth of physical volume and in 2012 it amounts 8,4 percent.
Chemical complex in 2012 has realized export of goods in the amount of US$ 667,3  million (in 2011 was realize export in the amount of US$ 621,4 million). The share in total export of the Republic of Macedonia it amounted 17,7 percent.
The import of goods for the chemical complex needs and of finished chemical products in 2012 is above US$ 150 thousand higher than export. The import amounts US$ 864,1 million and in the total import of the Republic of Macedonia participates by 13 percent.                                                                                         
The production in chemical industry is accomplished by using contemporary technologies and equipment. Several foreign investments are realized which have positive impact over the overall companies` operation, mostly in the increasing of the export.                          
Potentials                                                                                                                           
In chemical industry there are more important capacities for production and export of:                                                                                                 
- Ready medicines                                                            
- Detergents 
- PVC powder  
- PVC granulates and compounds     
- PVC pipes 
- Plastic packaging 
- Cosmetics 
- Construction additives   
- Technical gases
In the chemical industry, the existing production potentials of the installed capacities, as well as the skilled personnel potential are base for accelerated development and investment, mostly in the realization of projects in the field of human environment protection, clearing up of the soil, catalytic shells, products for water and waste treatment.  
In the segment of production and processing of plastics, and in other products from chemical industry, investments are needed for collecting and recycling of plastics in order to protect the human environment.