The key findings are;

• EU27 manufacturing: low demand challenges business confidence.
• EU27 chemicals: Business confidence remains low.
• 2024: Gas prices remain above the pre-crisis levels (2014–2019).
• EU27 chemical industry lacks a strong domestic demand.
• 2024: EU27 chemicals capacity utilisation is a key concern.
• Chemical business in Germany has not been doing well since 2022.
• 2024 chemical production shows a fragmented Europe.
• EU27 chemical production growth by country (year over year)
• 2024: EU27 chemicals prices and sales well below 2023 levels
• 2024: EU27 chemical exports (€bn): 1% above 2023 results
• 2024: EU27 chemical imports (€bn): 5% below 2023 results
• 2024: EU27 chemical trade surplus (€bn): 34% above 2023 results
• 2024 vs 2023: Global chemicals production up by 4.8%

You can access the Chemicals Monthly Briefing prepared by Dr Moncef HADHRI, Economic Affairs Manager at Cefic here.