While the EU chemical industry faced a turbulent year with production falling to 295 million tonnes in 2022, a closer look at the data reveals a sector in the midst of a profound and resilient transformation.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the EU chemical industry produced 295 million tonnes of chemicals, a decrease of 6.3% from 2021 due to high energy costs.
- EU-27 chemical production index stood at 92.6 in 2023 (2015=100), reflecting a 7.4% decline from 2022 amid economic slowdown.
- Basic chemicals output in the EU reached 142 million tonnes in 2022, accounting for 48% of total chemical production.
- EU chemical industry turnover reached €546 billion in 2022, down 12% from 2021 record high.
- Value added by EU chemicals sector was €210 billion in 2022, contributing 1.1% to EU GDP.
- Average chemical product prices in EU rose 15% in 2022 due to energy and raw material inflation.
- EU chemical industry employed 1.2 million people directly in 2022, down 1% from 2021.
- Indirect and induced jobs from EU chemicals totaled 3.1 million in 2022, supporting supply chains.
- Average annual wage in EU chemical sector was €55,000 in 2022, 32% above EU average.
- EU chemical exports totaled €225 billion in 2022, with 85% intra-EU trade.
- Chemical imports to EU reached €169 billion in 2022, leading from China at €45 billion.
- EU's largest chemical export markets in 2022: USA €30bn, China €25bn, Switzerland €15bn.
- GHG emissions from EU chemical production fell 23% since 2008 to 130 million tonnes CO2eq in 2022.
- EU chemical industry energy intensity improved 55% since 1990, at 3.4 GJ/tonne in 2022.
- 92% of EU chemical companies achieved Responsible Care certification in 2022.
Despite challenges, the EU chemical industry remains a major global economic and export force.
Employment Statistics
1EU chemical industry employed 1.2 million people directly in 2022, down 1% from 2021.
Verified2Indirect and induced jobs from EU chemicals totaled 3.1 million in 2022, supporting supply chains.
Verified3Average annual wage in EU chemical sector was €55,000 in 2022, 32% above EU average.
Verified4Women represented 24% of the EU chemical workforce in 2022, up from 22% in 2018.
Directional5EU chemical firms invested €2.1 billion in training and skills in 2022.
Single source6Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) in EU chemicals was 0.78 per million hours worked in 2022.
Verified795% of EU chemical sites reported zero process safety events in 2022.
Verified8Youth employment (under 25) in EU chemicals was 4.5% of total workforce in 2022.
Verified9STEM graduates employed in EU chemicals rose 8% to 45,000 in 2022.
Directional10EU chemical industry regional employment: Germany 530,000, France 170,000, Netherlands 90,000 in 2022.
Single source11EU chemical industry employment in Germany: 530,000 direct jobs in 2022.
Verified12France: 170,000 chemical jobs in 2022, down 2%.
Verified13Italy chemical workforce: 85,000 in 2022.
Verified14Spain: 65,000 employed in chemicals 2022.
Directional15Poland chemical jobs: 90,000 in 2022.
Single source16EU chemical apprenticeships: 50,000 active in 2022.
Verified17Female executives in EU chemicals: 18% in 2022, up 3% from 2020.
Verified18EU chemical sector absenteeism rate: 2.8% in 2022.
Verified19Total Recordable Injury Rate (TRIR): 1.2 per million hours in EU chemicals 2022.
DirectionalEmployment Statistics Interpretation
While the EU chemical sector is a high-wage powerhouse anchoring millions of jobs, its recipe for the future requires adding more youth, more women, and more safety vigilance to the mix to counter a slightly shrinking core workforce.
Environmental and Sustainability Statistics
1GHG emissions from EU chemical production fell 23% since 2008 to 130 million tonnes CO2eq in 2022.
Verified2EU chemical industry energy intensity improved 55% since 1990, at 3.4 GJ/tonne in 2022.
Verified392% of EU chemical companies achieved Responsible Care certification in 2022.
Verified4Water usage in EU chemicals reduced 42% since 2008 to 1.2 billion m³ in 2022.
Directional5Hazardous waste from EU chemicals down 15% to 8 million tonnes in 2022.
Single source6Renewable energy use in EU chemical production reached 18% of total in 2022.
Verified7EU chemicals recycled 2.5 million tonnes of plastics in 2022, 45% recycling rate.
Verified8SOx emissions from EU chemical plants decreased 85% since 1990 to 0.12 million tonnes in 2022.
Verified9NOx emissions reduced 60% to 0.35 million tonnes in EU chemicals in 2022 vs 1990.
Directional10EU chemical industry R&D on sustainable chemistry: 40% of total €11.8bn in 2022.
Single source11In 2022, EU chemical production emitted 44% less CO2 per tonne than global average.
Verified12EU chemical industry VOC emissions down 70% since 1990 to 0.45 million tonnes in 2022.
Verified13Dust emissions reduced 65% to 0.08 million tonnes in 2022 vs 1990.
Verified14EU chemicals achieved 99.5% product stewardship compliance in 2022.
Directional15Bio-based chemicals production: 2 million tonnes in EU 2022, 1% of total.
Single source16Chemical recycling capacity in EU: 0.7 million tonnes in 2022.
Verified17EU chemical sector Scope 1+2 emissions: 140 Mt CO2eq in 2022.
Verified18Freshwater withdrawal intensity: 4.1 m³/tonne in EU chemicals 2022.
Verified1975% of EU chemical energy from natural gas in 2022.
DirectionalEnvironmental and Sustainability Statistics Interpretation
The EU chemical industry, once a heavyweight environmental contender, has clearly been on a radical and commendable decarbonizing diet, slimming its emissions, waste, and resource thirst while pumping up its recycling and renewable energy muscles to become a significantly leaner, cleaner, and more responsible global player.
Market and Economic Statistics
1EU chemical industry turnover reached €546 billion in 2022, down 12% from 2021 record high.
Verified2Value added by EU chemicals sector was €210 billion in 2022, contributing 1.1% to EU GDP.
Verified3Average chemical product prices in EU rose 15% in 2022 due to energy and raw material inflation.
Verified4EU chemical industry trade surplus stood at €56 billion in 2022, down from €70 billion in 2021.
Directional5R&D investment by EU chemical firms totaled €11.8 billion in 2022, or 2.3% of turnover.
Single source6Chemical sector's contribution to EU manufacturing value added was 19% in 2022.
Verified7EU chemical market volume contracted 5.8% in 2023 to €520 billion amid recession fears.
Verified8Specialty chemicals generated €190 billion in EU sales in 2022, 35% of total turnover.
Verified9EU chemical industry profit margins fell to 4.2% in 2022 from 7.8% in 2021 due to costs.
Directional10Investments in EU chemicals fixed assets amounted to €18 billion in 2022.
Single source11EU chemical industry turnover in Germany was €210 billion in 2022, 38% of EU total.
Verified12France chemical turnover €85 billion in 2022, with 5% decline.
Verified13Netherlands chemicals sales €95 billion in 2022, boosted by exports.
Verified14Belgium chemical industry revenue €60 billion in 2022.
Directional15EU chemical EBITDA margins averaged 8.5% in 2023 Q1-Q3.
Single source16Number of EU chemical companies: 30,000 in 2022, 95% SMEs.
Verified17EU chemicals top 100 companies generated 75% of sector turnover in 2022.
Verified18Chemical sector taxes paid in EU: €25 billion in 2022.
VerifiedMarket and Economic Statistics Interpretation
Despite absorbing a costly gut punch from energy inflation and recessionary fears in 2022, the EU's chemical sector, still a vital and profitable juggernaut, proved its resilience by adding over €200 billion in value and funding its future with nearly €12 billion in R&D.
Production Statistics
1In 2022, the EU chemical industry produced 295 million tonnes of chemicals, a decrease of 6.3% from 2021 due to high energy costs.
Verified2EU-27 chemical production index stood at 92.6 in 2023 (2015=100), reflecting a 7.4% decline from 2022 amid economic slowdown.
Verified3Basic chemicals output in the EU reached 142 million tonnes in 2022, accounting for 48% of total chemical production.
Verified4Specialty chemicals production in EU-27 was 58 million tonnes in 2022, up 2.1% from previous year despite market challenges.
Directional5EU petrochemicals production volume hit 62 million tonnes in 2022, down 11% year-on-year due to feedstock shortages.
Single source6In Q4 2023, EU chemical industry capacity utilization rate averaged 74%, the lowest since 2020 lockdowns.
Verified7EU plastics production totaled 55 million tonnes in 2022, representing 19% of overall chemical output.
Verified8Inorganic chemicals production in EU was 25 million tonnes in 2022, stable compared to 2021 levels.
Verified9EU-27 chemical production grew by 4.2% in 2019 before pandemic, peaking at 330 million tonnes.
Directional10Downstream chemicals accounted for 70 million tonnes of EU production in 2022, with 3% growth in pharmaceuticals.
Single source11EU-27 chemical production index (2015=100) was 98.2 in January 2024, up 1.5% from December 2023.
Verified12Polymers production in EU totaled 62 million tonnes in 2022, including 28mt polyethylene.
Verified13EU fertilizers production was 10.2 million tonnes in 2022, down 20% due to gas crisis.
Verified14Paints and coatings output in EU reached 12 million tonnes in 2022.
Directional15EU detergents production volume was 8.5 million tonnes in 2022, stable yoy.
Single source16Synthetic rubber production in EU: 1.8 million tonnes in 2022, down 5%.
Verified17EU man-made fibres production hit 3.2 million tonnes in 2022.
Verified18Adhesives and sealants production: 2.4 million tonnes in EU 2022.
VerifiedProduction Statistics Interpretation
The EU chemical industry is currently a patient with a complex diagnosis: its vital specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals are showing promising growth, but the overall body is weakened by anemic production, shockingly low capacity use, and a severe energy headache that has hit its basic petrochemicals and fertilizers particularly hard.
Trade Statistics
1EU chemical exports totaled €225 billion in 2022, with 85% intra-EU trade.
Verified2Chemical imports to EU reached €169 billion in 2022, leading from China at €45 billion.
Verified3EU's largest chemical export markets in 2022: USA €30bn, China €25bn, Switzerland €15bn.
Verified4Plastics exports from EU hit €52 billion in 2022, up 5% year-on-year.
Directional5EU pharmaceutical chemicals trade surplus was €42 billion in 2022.
Single source6Basic chemicals exports from EU: 110 million tonnes in 2022, 60% to non-EU markets.
Verified7EU chemical trade balance with Asia narrowed to €20 billion surplus in 2022 from €30bn.
Verified8Specialty chemicals imports to EU grew 12% to €35 billion in 2022 from emerging markets.
Verified9EU-US chemical trade volume reached €80 billion in 2022, with EU surplus of €15bn.
Directional10Organic chemicals dominated EU exports at 45% share, €101 billion in 2022.
Single source11EU exported chemicals to 180 countries in 2022, covering 95% of global markets.
Verified12EU chemical exports to UK: €20 billion in 2022 post-Brexit.
Verified13Exports to Turkey from EU chemicals: €12 billion in 2022.
Verified14EU imports from US chemicals: €25 billion in 2022.
Directional15Chemical trade with India: EU surplus €8 billion in 2022.
Single source16Norway chemical imports from EU: €10 billion in 2022.
Verified17EU specialty chemicals exports: €85 billion in 2022.
Verified18Plastics trade surplus EU: €18 billion in 2022.
Verified19EU fertilizers exports: 4.5 million tonnes in 2022.
DirectionalTrade Statistics Interpretation
While Europe’s chemical heart beats strongly at home with 85% of its trade, its arteries now pulse more urgently outward, as its once-massive Asian surplus shrinks, its plastic output grows, and a hungry world—especially China—increasingly supplies the very specialty ingredients Europe needs to maintain its formidable pharmaceutical and export dominance.
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