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 over 40% of global sales and leading in innovation. Europe’s market share has declined due to factors such as an aging population, market maturity, high energy and labor costs, regulatory burden, and an increasingly competitive global market.
Europe is the second largest chemicals producer in the world
World chemical sales 2022, €5,434 billion
![FactsandFigures2023_ch1_1_World chemical sales, 2022_without title](https://cefic.org/app/uploads/2023/12/FactsandFigures2023_ch1_1_World-chemical-sales-2022_without-title-1024x595.png)
China dominates chemical sales globally
World chemical sales : top 10 countries
![FactsandFigures2023_ch1_2_World chemical sales- top 10 countries_without title](https://cefic.org/app/uploads/2023/12/FactsandFigures2023_ch1_2_World-chemical-sales-top-10-countries_without-title-1024x536.png)
EU27 market share dropped significantly
World chemical sales by comparaison: top 10 countries
![](https://cefic.org/app/uploads/2023/12/FactsandFigures2023_ch1_3_World-chemical-sales-by-comparison-top-10-countries_without-title-1024x593.png)
Over 20 years, the world market share of EU27 chemical sales drops sharply
EU27 share of global chemical market
![FactsandFigures2023_ch1_4_EU27 share of global chemical market_without title](https://cefic.org/app/uploads/2023/12/FactsandFigures2023_ch1_4_EU27-share-of-global-chemical-market_without-title-1024x614.png)
Petrochemicals account for more than one fourth of EU27 chemical sales
EU27 chemical sales 2022 (€760 billion)
![FactsandFigures2023_ch1_5_EU27 chemical sales, 2022_without title](https://cefic.org/app/uploads/2023/12/FactsandFigures2023_ch1_5_EU27-chemical-sales-2022_without-title-1024x531.png)
Two thirds of EU27 chemical sales generated in four Member States
EU27 chemical sales broken down by country (2022)
![FactsandFigures2023_ch1_6_EU27 chemical sales broken down by country, 2022_without title](https://cefic.org/app/uploads/2023/12/FactsandFigures2023_ch1_6_EU27-chemical-sales-broken-down-by-country-2022_without-title-1024x497.png)
EU27 chemical sales significantly increased in 2022
EU27 chemical sales structure (€ billion)
![FactsandFigures2023_ch1_7_EU27 chemical sales structure (Ôé¼ billion)_without title](https://cefic.org/app/uploads/2023/12/FactsandFigures2023_ch1_7_EU27-chemical-sales-structure-Oe¼-billion_without-title-1024x540.png)
Nearly one third of EU27 chemical sales is generated from exports
EU27 chemical sales structure (%)
![FactsandFigures2023_ch1_8_EU27](https://cefic.org/app/uploads/2023/12/FactsandFigures2023_ch1_8_EU27-chemical-sales-structure-_without-title-1024x521.png)
More than half of EU chemicals are supplied to the industry
Customer sectors of the EU27+UK chemical industry (2017)
![FactsandFigures2023_ch1_9_Customer sectors of the EU27+UK chemical industry, 2017_without title](https://cefic.org/app/uploads/2023/12/FactsandFigures2023_ch1_9_Customer-sectors-of-the-EU27UK-chemical-industry-2017_without-title-1024x669.png)
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Trade Development – Growth And Competitiveness – Our Contribution To EU27 Industry – Energy Consumption – Capital & R&I Spending – Environmental Performance
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