Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Pittsburgh may be known for its primary metals industry, but the Steel
City also is home to a healthy chemical industry that, like the
metals, has had to evolve and innovate a
The chemical industry employs an estimated 10,000 people in the region
and in 2008 was the areas the region

Despite the loss in employment, local companies have maintained a
strong presence here, shifting from heavy manufacturing to the less
labor-intensive research and development.

 said Chris Briem, regional economist with the University of
 Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh metro area, with its high quality of life, low cost of
living and close proximity to research universities, is home to the
North American headquarters of a number of industry leaders, including
PPG Industries Inc., Bayer Corp. and Bayer MaterialSciences LLC,
LANXESS Corp., NOVA Chemicals Inc., Calgon Carbon Corp., Koppers Inc.,
Almatis Inc. and INDSPEC Chemical Corp.

Additionally, German chemical giant BASF, Tennessee-based Eastman
Chemical Co. and Illinois-based Nalco all have a significant presence
in the area.