| In recent years clusters have become the focal point of many new policy initiatives. The challenge set out by the increasing global economy and the growing competition on innovation rather than on productivity alone has accelerated the interest in new approaches to economic policy for
competitiveness. In many regions Clusters proved to be useful way to boost the efforts of translating global opportunities and macroeconomic achievements into real productive improvements in companies and to launch effective actions and initiatives. For companies, and in particular SMEs, clusters are important because they reduce the barriers to entry for new business creation. Often through the establishment of new partnerships with universities and other institutions they allow companies to be more productive and innovative than they could be in isolation. Hereby, “Clusters” can be defined as “innovative networks or groups of interrelated industries or interconnected companies and associate institutions in a particular field that are characterised by substantial potential of growth and competitiveness, and that are essential for the wealth creation in the region. The chemical industry in the cooperating regions of Saxony-Anhalt, Limburg and North-East of England is absolutely critical for their regional development. All three regions have successfully initiated the cluster processes which aim at the concentration of business and political activities on the successful development of the chemical industry. The project ChemSME serves as a platform for interregional exchange of experience between the regions Saxony-Anhalt, Limburg and North-East of England with regard to the development of chemical clusters. The particular objective is to define and benchmark best-practices for mutual benefit in improving cluster development, particularly amongst SMEs. The following pages provide a brief overview of the chemical clusters in the cooperating regions.
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