Market Trends of Europe Chemical Logistics Industry
Europe is the second largest Chemical Producer Globally
One of Europe's largest manufacturing industries is the chemicals industry. It is crucial to supply cutting-edge materials and technological advancements to boost Europe's industrial competitiveness because it is an "enabling industry."
The industry makes petrochemicals, polymers, basic inorganics, specialized chemicals, and consumer chemicals. The industry is undergoing a rapid structural transformation due to its many difficulties, including greater competition from other nations and rising expenses. However, the industry responded quickly to the financial crisis and maintained a stable overall sales level.
Germany was Europe's top importer of chemical goods in 2021, with imports totaling almost EUR 94 billion (USD 103.3 billion). The next two countries were Belgium and the Netherlands, with imports of chemicals totaling about EUR 65 billion (USD 69.84 billion) and EUR 61 billion (USD 65.53 billion), respectively.
Germany was the continent's top exporter of chemical goods in 2021, with exports totaling over EUR 127.5 billion (USD 137 billion). The Netherlands and Belgium came in second and third, respectively, with chemical exports totaling approximately EUR 85 billion (USD 91.33 billion) and EUR 77 billion (USD 82 billion).
The NAFTA nations had a 20.9% share of the global chemicals industry in 2010. At 59.2% in 2021, Asia holds the largest share of the global chemicals market.
Base Chemical Production Accounts for 58% of European Union Chemical Sales
Output from the European Union chemical industry covers three broad product areas - base chemicals, specialty chemicals, and consumer chemicals. Base or commodity chemicals cover petrochemicals, their derivatives (polymers), and basic inorganics. They are produced in large volumes and sold in chemical or other industries.
The basic inorganic chemicals sub-sector includes producing chemical elements, inorganic acids such as sulphuric acid, bases such as caustic soda, alkalis, and other inorganic compounds such as chlorine.
The petrochemicals sub-sector covers the manufacturing of chemicals using basic processes, such as thermal cracking and distillation. In most cases, polymers in primary forms are integrated into petrochemical sites. Plastics in primary forms embrace the manufacturing of resins, plastic materials, and elastomers. Specialty chemicals cover areas such as paints and inks, crop protection, dyes and pigments, and auxiliaries for industries (other chemicals such as glue, essential oils, and gelatine).
Specialty chemicals are produced in small volumes, representing 30.2% of European Union chemical sales in 2021. Consumer chemicals, such as soaps, detergents, perfumes, and cosmetics, are sold to final consumers. They represented 13.8% of total European Union chemical sales in 2021. That year, petrochemicals and specialty chemicals accounted for 55.9% of European Union chemical sales. In 2021, almost 64% of these chemicals produced were EU 27 home sales and Intra-EU 27 sales, while 36% were exported to countries outside Europe.
