The European Chemical Regions Network (ECRN) was originally started as an INTERREG IIIc project in 2004 with 13 member regions from 7 different European countries. The idea was to bring chemical regions from all over Europe together in order to better tackle the special challenges for these regions by exchanging information, exploring solutions for common problems and by speaking with a single voice.

Today the network has grown from a temporary project to a recognized European chemical stakeholder and a network full of chemical expertise. ECRN is a registered association under German law and the network currently covers 16 member regions, whose cooperation is supported by a Brussels-based secretariat.