Cefic's 2025 Facts & Figures of the European Chemical Industry

With a turnover of €635 billion and 1.2 million people employed, supplying essential materials to industries ranging from automotive to healthcare, the European chemical industry remains a pillar of Europe’s economy and daily life. Yet, the landscape is shifting: Europe’s share of the global chemical market has dropped to 13%, while China now leads with 46% of global sales.

Energy remains a critical factor, as European gas prices are still three times higher than in the US, impacting competitiveness. Nevertheless, the industry has improved its energy efficiency by 40% since 1990. At the same time, the sector faces weak demand, growing import pressure, and persistently low capacity utilisation – 9.5% below pre-crisis levels (2014-2019). While Europe remains a net exporter – thanks especially to high-value specialty chemicals – its trade surplus has not kept pace with global growth, and the region has lost ground compared to other major exporters.

With around 31,000 companies – most of them SMEs – the chemical sector is deeply woven into Europe’s industrial fabric, supporting jobs and innovation across the continent. As the industry adapts to global shifts, it continues to play a vital role in Europe’s economic future. However, securing this role in the future without increasing Europe’s level of supply dependencies will require bold action from European policy makers.