The Chemissa website has been established by South Africa's Department of Trade and Industry (dti), the Chemical and Allied Industry Association (CAIA), the Plastics Federation of South Africa (PFSA), the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union (CEPPWAU), UASA and the South African Chemical Workers Union (SACWU) as a business information resource for the chemical, plastics and petrochemical industries in Southern Africa and the SADC region.

The purpose of the website is to provide an information system on the chemical sector. Links guide the user to sites providing information on the South African Development Community (SADC) countries, their chemical companies, financial incentives, international market information, health and safety including Responsible Care, employment opportunities, research, training and skills, business opportunities, news and views, events, public appreciation of chemistry, legislation and industry organisations world-wide.