From a colossal €541 billion turnover fueling 17% of global chemical sales to powering 1.2 million European jobs, the continent's chemical industry in 2022 revealed itself as a dynamic and indispensable economic force, as unpacked by the following key statistics.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the European chemical industry generated a total turnover of €541 billion, representing 17% of global chemical sales.
- The EU chemical sector's sales grew by 12.5% in 2022 compared to 2021, driven by higher prices.
- Germany's chemical industry accounted for 29% of Europe's total chemical turnover in 2022, totaling €157 billion.
- European chemical production reached 264 million tonnes in 2022.
- Plastics production in Europe was 55.5 million tonnes in 2022.
- Germany produced 55 million tonnes of chemicals in 2022.
- The European chemical industry employed 1.2 million people directly in 2022.
- Indirect jobs supported by EU chemicals totaled 3.1 million in 2022.
- Germany's chemical workforce was 530,000 in 2022.
- Europe's chemical exports totaled €220 billion in 2022.
- EU chemical imports were €164 billion in 2022.
- Germany's chemical exports €130 billion in 2022.
- EU chemical industry reduced CO2 emissions by 55% since 1990 per tonne in 2022.
- Chemical sector energy intensity down 65% since 1990 in EU 2022.
- 98% of chlorine production uses mercury-free technology in Europe 2022.
Europe's chemical industry grew significantly in 2022, driven by strong sales and exports.
Employment Statistics
- The European chemical industry employed 1.2 million people directly in 2022.
- Indirect jobs supported by EU chemicals totaled 3.1 million in 2022.
- Germany's chemical workforce was 530,000 in 2022.
- France employed 170,000 in chemicals in 2022.
- Netherlands chemical jobs 85,000 in 2022.
- Belgium's chemical sector employed 90,000 people in 2022.
- Chemical industry average wage in EU €55,000 per year in 2022.
- 25% of EU chemical workforce are women in 2022.
- R&D staff in European chemicals 160,000 in 2022.
- Apprenticeships in German chemicals 45,000 in 2022.
- UK's chemical employment 190,000 in 2022.
- Italy chemical jobs 95,000 in 2022.
- Spain employed 70,000 in chemicals 2022.
- Poland chemical workforce 120,000 in 2022.
- Safety incident rate in EU chemicals 0.45 per million hours worked in 2022.
- Lost time injury frequency 0.8 in European chemicals 2022.
- High-skilled jobs 65% of chemical employment in EU 2022.
- Digital skills gap affects 20% of chemical jobs in Europe 2022.
- Average age of chemical workers 45 years in EU 2022.
- Turnover rate in chemicals 4.5% in Europe 2022.
- STEM graduates in chemicals 30,000 annually EU 2022.
- Remote work adoption 25% in chemical offices 2022.
- Unionization rate 60% in EU chemical industry 2022.
- Overtime hours averaged 150 per worker in chemicals 2022.
- Training investment €2 billion in EU chemicals 2022.
- Youth employment under 25: 8% in chemicals 2022.
- Migrant workers 12% of chemical workforce EU 2022.
- Shift workers 40% in chemical plants 2022.
- Pension coverage 95% in EU chemicals 2022.
Employment Statistics Interpretation
While boasting a formidable army of 1.2 million directly and over 3 million indirectly, the European chemical industry reveals a powerhouse in need of reinforcements—grappling with an aging, mostly male workforce and a digital skills gap, even as it pays well, invests in training, and maintains impressive safety and unionization standards.
Environmental Impact and Sustainability
- EU chemical industry reduced CO2 emissions by 55% since 1990 per tonne in 2022.
- Chemical sector energy intensity down 65% since 1990 in EU 2022.
- 98% of chlorine production uses mercury-free technology in Europe 2022.
- Water usage in chemicals 5 m3 per tonne produced average EU 2022.
- Zero plastic waste to landfill achieved by 80% EU chemical sites 2022.
- Renewable energy use in chemicals 20% of total in 2022 EU.
- Product stewardship covers 100% of EU chemical production 2022.
- REACH compliance cost €10 billion annually for industry 2022.
- Bio-based plastics production up 10% to 2.2 million tonnes 2022.
- Chemical recycling capacity 0.8 million tonnes in Europe 2022.
- PFAS phase-out 70% completed in EU chemicals 2022.
- Green hydrogen projects 50 in pipeline for chemicals 2022.
- Carbon capture utilization 1 million tonnes CO2 in chemicals 2022.
- Biodiversity initiatives on 90% chemical sites EU 2022.
- Waste recycling rate 92% in EU chemical industry 2022.
- NOx emissions reduced 80% since 1990 per tonne chemicals 2022.
- SOx emissions down 95% in EU chemicals since 1990 2022.
- VOC emissions cut 75% per tonne produced 2022 EU.
- Sustainable sourcing 60% of raw materials in chemicals 2022.
- LCA conducted on 85% products by large firms 2022.
- Circular economy investment €5 billion in EU chemicals 2022.
- Net zero roadmap covers 95% production by 2050 committed 2022.
- Electric vehicles chemicals sustainable sourcing 50% 2022.
- Microplastics regulation compliance 100% EU producers 2022.
- Eco-design implemented in 70% new products 2022 chemicals.
Environmental Impact and Sustainability Interpretation
The European chemical industry is industriously scrubbing its environmental slate clean, having slashed emissions and waste with the fervor of a zealot, yet it still dutifully groans under the weight of a €10 billion regulatory receipt, proving that true green transformation is both impressively effective and notoriously expensive.
Market Size and Revenue
- In 2022, the European chemical industry generated a total turnover of €541 billion, representing 17% of global chemical sales.
- The EU chemical sector's sales grew by 12.5% in 2022 compared to 2021, driven by higher prices.
- Germany's chemical industry accounted for 29% of Europe's total chemical turnover in 2022, totaling €157 billion.
- France's chemical production value reached €73 billion in 2022, with specialties contributing 45%.
- The Netherlands chemical industry turnover was €92 billion in 2022, boosted by exports.
- Europe's chemical industry R&D investment stood at €32 billion in 2022, or 6% of turnover.
- Specialty chemicals represented 42% of EU chemical sales in 2022, valued at €227 billion.
- Basic chemicals turnover in Europe was €314 billion in 2022, 58% of total sales.
- The chemical industry's contribution to EU GDP was 1.1% in 2022, equating to €186 billion in value added.
- Belgium's chemical sector turnover hit €60 billion in 2022, with petrochemicals leading.
- Europe's chemical trade surplus was €56 billion in 2022.
- The projected CAGR for European chemical market from 2023-2028 is 3.2%.
- UK chemical industry revenue reached £14.5 billion in 2022 post-Brexit.
- Italy's chemical turnover was €55 billion in 2022, focused on polymers.
- Europe's top 100 chemical companies had combined sales of €412 billion in 2022.
- Chemical sales in Poland grew 15% to €18 billion in 2022.
- Spain's chemical industry turnover was €48 billion in 2022.
- Austria chemical sales reached €15 billion in 2022.
- Switzerland's chemical/pharma turnover was €70 billion in 2022.
- Europe's chemical market volume was 295 million tonnes in 2022.
- EU27 chemical production index rose 2.1% in 2022 vs 2021.
- Nordic countries' chemical turnover totaled €25 billion in 2022.
- Europe's plastics production value was €120 billion in 2022.
- Chemical park revenues in Europe exceeded €200 billion in 2022.
- Eastern Europe's chemical sales grew 10% to €40 billion in 2022.
- Luxembourg chemical logistics turnover €5 billion in 2022.
- Europe's inorganic chemicals market size €85 billion in 2022.
- Organic chemicals segment €250 billion in Europe 2022.
- Petrochemicals in Europe valued at €180 billion turnover 2022.
- Fertilizers market in Europe €35 billion in 2022.
Market Size and Revenue Interpretation
While often working quietly behind the scenes, Europe's €541 billion chemical industry is the continent's unassuming chemical whisperer, proving its immense scale and quiet indispensability by holding a 17% global market share and powering everything from polymers to pharmaceuticals with a tidy €56 billion trade surplus.
Production Volumes
- European chemical production reached 264 million tonnes in 2022.
- Plastics production in Europe was 55.5 million tonnes in 2022.
- Germany produced 55 million tonnes of chemicals in 2022.
- Ethylene production capacity in Europe was 29 million tonnes per year in 2022.
- Propylene output in EU reached 18 million tonnes in 2022.
- Ammonia production in Europe totaled 12.5 million tonnes in 2022.
- Polyethylene production volume 18.2 million tonnes in Europe 2022.
- Polypropylene output 11.5 million tonnes in EU27 2022.
- PVC production in Western Europe 5.8 million tonnes in 2022.
- Soda ash production capacity 12 million tonnes in Europe 2022.
- Hydrogen production for chemicals 2.5 million tonnes in EU 2022.
- Methanol production 5 million tonnes in Europe 2022.
- Benzene production 12 million tonnes annually in Europe 2022.
- Toluene output 6.5 million tonnes in EU 2022.
- Xylenes production 8 million tonnes in Europe 2022.
- Urea production 6 million tonnes in Europe 2022.
- Nitric acid production 10 million tonnes EU 2022.
- Caustic soda output 11 million tonnes in Europe 2022.
- Chlorine production 9.8 million tonnes in EU 2022.
- Pharmaceuticals active ingredients production 1.2 million tonnes Europe 2022.
- Paints and coatings volume 12 million tonnes in Europe 2022.
- Adhesives production 3.5 million tonnes EU 2022.
- Detergents output 10 million tonnes in Europe 2022.
- Tires chemicals input 2 million tonnes Europe 2022.
- Petrochemicals intermediates 50 million tonnes produced 2022 EU.
- Bio-based chemicals production 2.5 million tonnes in Europe 2022.
- Carbon black production 1.8 million tonnes Europe 2022.
- Synthetic rubber output 3.2 million tonnes EU 2022.
- Polymers total production 65 million tonnes Europe 2022.
- Specialty polymers 8 million tonnes in Europe 2022.
- Agrochemicals active substances 0.5 million tonnes EU 2022.
- Dyes and pigments 1.2 million tonnes Europe 2022.
Production Volumes Interpretation
While Europe's chemical industry produced a staggering 264 million tonnes of product in 2022, making everything from life-saving pharmaceuticals to the tires we drive on, it's sobering to realize that the 55.5 million tonnes of plastics alone represent a monumental commitment to materials we are still learning to manage responsibly.
Trade and Exports
- Europe's chemical exports totaled €220 billion in 2022.
- EU chemical imports were €164 billion in 2022.
- Germany's chemical exports €130 billion in 2022.
- France chemical exports €60 billion 2022.
- Netherlands exports €85 billion chemicals 2022.
- 65% of EU chemical production exported in 2022.
- Top export destination USA €35 billion in 2022.
- China imports from EU chemicals €25 billion 2022.
- Specialty chemicals export share 75% of production 2022.
- Plastics exports from Europe €50 billion 2022.
- Pharmaceuticals exports €120 billion EU 2022.
- Belgium chemical exports €55 billion 2022.
- UK chemical exports £45 billion 2022.
- Italy exports €40 billion chemicals 2022.
- Chemical trade with Turkey €15 billion EU exports 2022.
- Switzerland chemical exports €60 billion 2022.
- Intra-EU chemical trade €400 billion 2022.
- Export growth to Asia 8% for EU chemicals 2022.
- US tariff impact reduced EU chemical exports by €2 billion 2022.
- Russia-Ukraine war cut chemical exports to Russia by 40% in 2022.
- EU chemical trade surplus with Africa €10 billion 2022.
- Latin America EU chemical exports €12 billion 2022.
- Middle East imports from EU €8 billion chemicals 2022.
- Logistics costs rose 15% impacting chemical exports 2022.
- Digital trade platforms used by 30% chemical exporters 2022.
- Carbon border tax projected to affect €5 billion exports 2023+.
Trade and Exports Interpretation
The data paints Europe's chemical industry as a formidable export juggernaut, whose hefty trade surplus is built on a precarious pillar of specialty products, yet it's nervously eyeing the storm clouds of geopolitics, tariffs, and rising costs that threaten to erode its formidable balance sheet.
Sources & References
- Reference 1CEFICcefic.orgVisit source
- Reference 2VCIvci.deVisit source
- Reference 3UICuic.orgVisit source
- Reference 4VNCIvnci.nlVisit source
- Reference 5ESSENSCIAessenscia.beVisit source
- Reference 6STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 7CAFICcafic.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 8FEDERCHIMICAfederchimica.itVisit source
- Reference 9CENcen.acs.orgVisit source
- Reference 10PUICpuic.org.plVisit source
- Reference 11FEIQUEfeique.orgVisit source
- Reference 12CHEMIEINDUSTRIEchemieindustrie.atVisit source
- Reference 13SIWFsiwf.chVisit source
- Reference 14ECec.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 15LIFE-SCIENCE-NORDIClife-science-nordic.comVisit source
- Reference 16PLASTICS-EUROPEplastics-europe.orgVisit source
- Reference 17EUROCHLOReurochlor.orgVisit source
- Reference 18CHILOGchilog.luVisit source
- Reference 19GRANDVIEWRESEARCHgrandviewresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 20MORDORINTELLIGENCEmordorintelligence.comVisit source
- Reference 21PETROCHEMISTRYpetrochemistry.euVisit source
- Reference 22FERTILIZERSEUROPEfertilizerseurope.comVisit source
- Reference 23CEFICECFceficecf.comVisit source
- Reference 24EBF-BPebf-bp.orgVisit source
- Reference 25PVCpvc.orgVisit source
- Reference 26CEMBUREAUcembureau.euVisit source
- Reference 27HYDROGEN-EUROPEhydrogen-europe.euVisit source
- Reference 28METHANOLmethanol.orgVisit source
- Reference 29EFMAefma.orgVisit source
- Reference 30EFPIAefpia.euVisit source
- Reference 31CEPEcepe.euVisit source
- Reference 32FEICAfeica.euVisit source
- Reference 33Aa.i.s.e.euVisit source
- Reference 34ETRAetra.euVisit source
- Reference 35BICONSORTIUMbiconsortium.euVisit source
- Reference 36CARBONBLACKcarbonblack.comVisit source
- Reference 37EUROPEAN-RUBBER-JOURNALeuropean-rubber-journal.comVisit source
- Reference 38PLASTICSINSIGHTplasticsinsight.comVisit source
- Reference 39TDMAtdma.infoVisit source
- Reference 40DELOITTEdeloitte.comVisit source
- Reference 41PWCpwc.comVisit source
- Reference 42KPMGkpmg.comVisit source
- Reference 43INDUSTRIALL-UNIONindustriall-union.orgVisit source
- Reference 44EUROFOUNDeurofound.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 45EUROSTATeurostat.euVisit source
- Reference 46OECDoecd.orgVisit source
- Reference 47CHEMRECYCLINGchemrecycling.euVisit source
- Reference 48EUROPEFLUOReuropefluor.orgVisit source
- Reference 49CCUS-EUROPEccus-europe.euVisit source
- Reference 50SOLVENTSsolvents.orgVisit source
- Reference 51ECOLVDecolvd.euVisit source
- Reference 52ACEAacea.autoVisit source