Profile

The EU27 chemical industry, encompassing base, specialty, and consumer chemicals, is vital to the European economy, supplying diverse sectors and employing 1.2 million people. While specialty chemicals contribute significantly to sales, the industry faces challenges due to China’s dominance, holding 43% of global sales and driving the majority of investments from the global chemical industry. Europe’s market share on the global chemical market has continued to decline.  

Europe is the second largest chemicals producer in the world

World chemical sales 2023, €5,195 billion

EU27 market share dropped significantly in 10 years

World chemical sales by comparaison: top 10 countries

Over 20 years, the EU27 share of global chemical Market dropped

EU27 share of global chemical market

Petrochemicals and specialties account for more than half of EU27 chemical sales

EU27 chemical sales 2023 (€655 billion)

Two thirds of EU27 chemical sales generated in four Member States

EU27 chemical sales broken down by country (2023)

EU27 chemical sales significantly decreased in 2023 vs 2022

EU27 chemical sales structure (€ billion)

one third of EU27 chemical sales is generated from exports

EU27 chemical sales structure (%)

More than half of EU chemicals are supplied to the industry

Customer sectors of the EU27+UK chemical industry (2017)

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Trade Development – Growth And Competitiveness – Our Contribution To EU27 Industry – Energy Consumption – Capital & R&I Spending – Environmental Performance