International Chemical Trade Association

ICTA was formally established in 2016 to represent the interests of over 1300 chemical distributors world-wide. Among the members of ICTA are formulators, wholesalers, distributors, resellers, importers, exporters, sales offices of the chemical industry and logistics service providers. Today, ICTA national association members have an aggregate direct turnover in excess of 55 billion euros and employ more than 70.000 employees.

Chemical distributors offer the following services:

  1. Chemicals First and foremost chemical distributors connect supply and demand for chemical substances needed to produce all types of products. Chemical distributors function as linking pin between for instance large chemical producers and small customers or between far away producers and local customers.
  1. Handling services Chemical distributors offer a wide variety of handling service, from storage and transport to blending, formulating, repackaging and relabelling.
  1. Quality assurance Chemical distributors supervise high quality of the chemicals they deliver.
  1. Safety measures Chemical distributors ensure safe storage, safe transport and safe delivery of their products.
  1. Regulatory compliance Chemical distributors make sure their products comply with local legislation requirements, for instance regarding registration, labelling or packaging. They also help with customs clearance and complying with import regulations.
  1. Financing assistance Chemical distributors may help customers with financing, for instance by offering the possibility of payment schedules.
  1. Advice over 60.000 chemical substances are listed in the product portfolios of chemical distributors around the world. Given the knowledge of their product portfolios, chemical distributors are well-positioned to help their customers to work more safely and efficiently by:
    • Giving advice about the right substances for customers. Chemical distributors help their customers with improving their products, optimizing their production process or substituting dangerous substances with less dangerous ones. encourage the use of chemical substitutions that are less risky for health and the environment.
    • Giving advice about working safely with the chemicals they provide.
    • Provide legal support to their customers to ensure compliance throughout the supply chain.

SSHE

Security

Transport

Become an ICTA member

ICTA improves the professionalism of the global chemical distribution sector, advocates to policy makers in the international arena and communicates the message of the sector.

Connecting supply and demand

For instance by providing access to local markets or to customers in relatively low tonnage bands.

Solving logistical challenges

Related to transport, storage, customs and tax formalities.

Providing handling services

Such as re-labelling, re-packaging or formulating.

Ensuring the quality

Of the products delivered to customers.

Improving Safety of the Supply Chain

For instance when storing explosive substances or when trading drug precursors.

Compliance and Legal Assistance

Assisting suppliers and customers with compliance and legal aspects.

Helping Customers with Financing

Of the procurement of chemical substances.

Enabling innovation

Thanks to their technical knowledge, flexibility and role as central player in the supply chain.

Sustainability

Helping improve products and optimizing product processes.