GITNUXREPORT 2026

German Chemical Industry Statistics

Germany's chemical industry grew in 2022 but faced significant decline in 2023.

Gitnux Team

Expert team of market researchers and data analysts.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

German chemical industry turnover reached 225.2 billion euros in 2022.

Statistic 2

EBITDA of the German chemical sector was 28.4 billion euros in 2022.

Statistic 3

Average return on sales (ROS) in German chemicals: 9.8% in 2022.

Statistic 4

Investment volume in the industry: 8.7 billion euros in 2022.

Statistic 5

R&D expenditure: 9.6 billion euros (4.3% of sales) in 2022.

Statistic 6

Chemical industry contribution to German GDP: 2.8% in 2022 (approx. 110 billion euros).

Statistic 7

Number of chemical companies in Germany: 2,800 (2023).

Statistic 8

Market share of top 10 chemical firms in Germany: 65% of turnover (2022).

Statistic 9

Price index for chemical products: 118.4 (2020=100) in 2023.

Statistic 10

Export value of chemicals: 106.5 billion euros in 2022.

Statistic 11

Profit margin average: 7.2% for German chemical firms in 2022.

Statistic 12

Total assets of chemical industry: 450 billion euros (2022).

Statistic 13

Debt ratio: 28% for the sector in 2022.

Statistic 14

Value added by chemical industry: 95 billion euros in 2022.

Statistic 15

Energy costs as % of sales: 12.5% in 2022.

Statistic 16

Raw material costs share: 45% of production costs (2022).

Statistic 17

Turnover in 2023: 212 billion euros, down 6% from 2022.

Statistic 18

Investments dropped to 7.9 billion euros in 2023.

Statistic 19

ROS fell to 4.5% in 2023.

Statistic 20

German chemical industry employed 512,000 people in 2022.

Statistic 21

Average salary in chemical sector: 72,500 euros gross annually (2022).

Statistic 22

Apprentices in chemical industry: 28,000 (2023).

Statistic 23

Female workforce percentage: 22% in 2022.

Statistic 24

R&D employees: 78,000 (15% of total workforce, 2022).

Statistic 25

Labor productivity: 440,000 euros per employee (2022).

Statistic 26

Absenteeism rate due to illness: 4.2% in 2022.

Statistic 27

Number of engineers in sector: 120,000 (2023).

Statistic 28

Training investment per apprentice: 25,000 euros/year (2022).

Statistic 29

Share of employees over 55: 28% (2023).

Statistic 30

Turnover rate: 3.8% annually (2022).

Statistic 31

Safety incident rate: 1.2 per million hours worked (2022).

Statistic 32

Digital skills training participants: 45,000 (2022).

Statistic 33

Migrant workers percentage: 18% (2023).

Statistic 34

Part-time employment: 15% of workforce (2022).

Statistic 35

Overtime hours average: 120 hours per employee/year (2022).

Statistic 36

Union membership rate: 35% (2022).

Statistic 37

Chemical patents filed by German firms: 12,500 in 2022.

Statistic 38

Employment stable at 510,000 in 2023.

Statistic 39

Apprentice intake: 27,500 in 2023.

Statistic 40

R&D spending in German chemical industry: 9.8 billion euros in 2022 (4.4% of sales).

Statistic 41

Number of R&D employees: 82,000 in 2022.

Statistic 42

Patent applications in chemicals: 15,200 (DPMA 2022).

Statistic 43

New products launched: 1,200 by VCI members in 2022.

Statistic 44

Biotech R&D investment: 2.1 billion euros (2022).

Statistic 45

Green chemistry projects funded: 450 million euros (2022).

Statistic 46

AI applications in R&D: 25% of firms using (2023 survey).

Statistic 47

Number of startups in chemtech: 180 (2023).

Statistic 48

Cooperation agreements with universities: 2,500 active (2022).

Statistic 49

3D printing materials developed: 150 new types (2022).

Statistic 50

Sustainable chemistry sales share: 35% (2022).

Statistic 51

Hydrogen technology R&D: 1.2 billion euros invested (2022).

Statistic 52

Battery chemicals R&D spend: 800 million euros (2022).

Statistic 53

Digital twins in plants: 40% adoption (2023).

Statistic 54

CO2 utilization patents: 450 filed (2022).

Statistic 55

In 2022, the German chemical industry achieved a total production volume of 221.5 billion euros, marking a 5.2% increase from the previous year.

Statistic 56

The specialty chemicals segment in Germany produced 58.7 billion euros worth of goods in 2022, representing 26.5% of total chemical output.

Statistic 57

Basic chemicals production in the German industry reached 89.2 billion euros in 2022, up 7.1% year-over-year.

Statistic 58

Germany's chemical production capacity utilization stood at 78.4% in 2022, down from 82.1% in 2021 due to energy costs.

Statistic 59

In 2023 Q1, chemical production index in Germany was 102.3 (2020=100), a 4.5% decline from Q1 2022.

Statistic 60

Plastics production in the German chemical sector totaled 42.1 billion euros in 2022.

Statistic 61

Pharmaceutical chemicals output in Germany was 31.4 billion euros in 2022, growing 3.8%.

Statistic 62

Man-made fibers production volume in Germany reached 2.8 billion euros in 2022.

Statistic 63

Inorganic basic chemicals production capacity in Germany is approximately 25 million tons annually as of 2023.

Statistic 64

Ammonia production in German plants totaled 2.1 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 65

Ethylene production capacity in Germany stands at 4.2 million tons per year (2023 data).

Statistic 66

Propylene cracker output in Germany was 3.5 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 67

Polyethylene production in Germany reached 3.8 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 68

PVC production volume in the German industry was 1.9 million tons annually (2022).

Statistic 69

German chemical industry energy consumption for production was 142 TWh in 2022.

Statistic 70

CO2 emissions from German chemical production totaled 28.5 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 71

Water usage in German chemical plants averaged 15 cubic meters per ton of product in 2022.

Statistic 72

Waste generation in the sector was 12.4 million tons in 2022, with 95% recycled.

Statistic 73

Number of chemical production sites in Germany: 5,200 as of 2023.

Statistic 74

Ludwigshafen chemical complex (BASF) has a production capacity of over 11 million tons/year.

Statistic 75

In 2023, German chemical production volume declined by 11% to approximately 197 billion euros.

Statistic 76

Petrochemicals output fell to 75 billion euros in 2023.

Statistic 77

The production index for chemicals was 95.6 (2015=100) in 2023 annual average.

Statistic 78

Fertilizer production in Germany: 4.5 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 79

Synthetic rubber production: 1.2 million tons (2023).

Statistic 80

Chemical exports from Germany: 109.3 billion euros in 2022.

Statistic 81

Chemical imports: 78.4 billion euros in 2022.

Statistic 82

Trade surplus in chemicals: 30.9 billion euros (2022).

Statistic 83

Top export market: USA with 12.5 billion euros (2022).

Statistic 84

China chemical exports: 11.2 billion euros (2022).

Statistic 85

EU internal trade chemicals: 65 billion euros exports (2022).

Statistic 86

Specialty chemicals export share: 55% of production (2022).

Statistic 87

Pharma chemicals exports: 28.5 billion euros (2022).

Statistic 88

Plastics exports: 22.4 billion euros (2022).

Statistic 89

Share of chemicals in total German exports: 9.8% (2022).

Statistic 90

FDI in chemical sector: 15.2 billion euros inflows (2022).

Statistic 91

Logistics costs for exports: 4.5 billion euros (2022).

Statistic 92

E-commerce sales in chemicals: 2.8 billion euros (2023).

Statistic 93

Tariff barriers impact: 1.2 billion euros lost (2022 est.).

Statistic 94

Free trade agreements coverage: 85% of exports (2023).

Statistic 95

Chemical export growth to Asia: 8.2% (2022).

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Despite facing a tough year with rising energy costs and a notable production decline in 2023, Germany's chemical industry, a powerhouse generating over 221 billion euros the previous year, remains a resilient and foundational pillar of the European economy.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, the German chemical industry achieved a total production volume of 221.5 billion euros, marking a 5.2% increase from the previous year.
The specialty chemicals segment in Germany produced 58.7 billion euros worth of goods in 2022, representing 26.5% of total chemical output.
Basic chemicals production in the German industry reached 89.2 billion euros in 2022, up 7.1% year-over-year.
German chemical industry turnover reached 225.2 billion euros in 2022.
EBITDA of the German chemical sector was 28.4 billion euros in 2022.
Average return on sales (ROS) in German chemicals: 9.8% in 2022.
German chemical industry employed 512,000 people in 2022.
Average salary in chemical sector: 72,500 euros gross annually (2022).
Apprentices in chemical industry: 28,000 (2023).
R&D spending in German chemical industry: 9.8 billion euros in 2022 (4.4% of sales).
Number of R&D employees: 82,000 in 2022.
Patent applications in chemicals: 15,200 (DPMA 2022).
Chemical exports from Germany: 109.3 billion euros in 2022.
Chemical imports: 78.4 billion euros in 2022.
Trade surplus in chemicals: 30.9 billion euros (2022).

Germany's chemical industry grew in 2022 but faced significant decline in 2023.

Economic and Financial Metrics

German chemical industry turnover reached 225.2 billion euros in 2022.
EBITDA of the German chemical sector was 28.4 billion euros in 2022.
Average return on sales (ROS) in German chemicals: 9.8% in 2022.
Investment volume in the industry: 8.7 billion euros in 2022.
R&D expenditure: 9.6 billion euros (4.3% of sales) in 2022.
Chemical industry contribution to German GDP: 2.8% in 2022 (approx. 110 billion euros).
Number of chemical companies in Germany: 2,800 (2023).
Market share of top 10 chemical firms in Germany: 65% of turnover (2022).
Price index for chemical products: 118.4 (2020=100) in 2023.
Export value of chemicals: 106.5 billion euros in 2022.
Profit margin average: 7.2% for German chemical firms in 2022.
Total assets of chemical industry: 450 billion euros (2022).
Debt ratio: 28% for the sector in 2022.
Value added by chemical industry: 95 billion euros in 2022.
Energy costs as % of sales: 12.5% in 2022.
Raw material costs share: 45% of production costs (2022).
Turnover in 2023: 212 billion euros, down 6% from 2022.
Investments dropped to 7.9 billion euros in 2023.
ROS fell to 4.5% in 2023.

Economic and Financial Metrics Interpretation

Despite injecting over 110 billion euros into the German economy and a heroic R&D spend of 9.6 billion euros, the industry was ultimately brought back to earth in 2023 by a sobering cocktail of high energy prices, rising costs, and shrinking margins, proving that even chemistry can't always balance its own equation.

Employment and Labor

German chemical industry employed 512,000 people in 2022.
Average salary in chemical sector: 72,500 euros gross annually (2022).
Apprentices in chemical industry: 28,000 (2023).
Female workforce percentage: 22% in 2022.
R&D employees: 78,000 (15% of total workforce, 2022).
Labor productivity: 440,000 euros per employee (2022).
Absenteeism rate due to illness: 4.2% in 2022.
Number of engineers in sector: 120,000 (2023).
Training investment per apprentice: 25,000 euros/year (2022).
Share of employees over 55: 28% (2023).
Turnover rate: 3.8% annually (2022).
Safety incident rate: 1.2 per million hours worked (2022).
Digital skills training participants: 45,000 (2022).
Migrant workers percentage: 18% (2023).
Part-time employment: 15% of workforce (2022).
Overtime hours average: 120 hours per employee/year (2022).
Union membership rate: 35% (2022).
Chemical patents filed by German firms: 12,500 in 2022.
Employment stable at 510,000 in 2023.
Apprentice intake: 27,500 in 2023.

Employment and Labor Interpretation

The German chemical industry is a high-performing, innovation-driven juggernaut that pays well and trains heavily, yet it faces the delicate balancing act of an aging, predominantly male workforce, stubbornly low turnover, and a pressing need to attract more women and digital talent to sustain its formidable productivity.

Innovation and R&D

R&D spending in German chemical industry: 9.8 billion euros in 2022 (4.4% of sales).
Number of R&D employees: 82,000 in 2022.
Patent applications in chemicals: 15,200 (DPMA 2022).
New products launched: 1,200 by VCI members in 2022.
Biotech R&D investment: 2.1 billion euros (2022).
Green chemistry projects funded: 450 million euros (2022).
AI applications in R&D: 25% of firms using (2023 survey).
Number of startups in chemtech: 180 (2023).
Cooperation agreements with universities: 2,500 active (2022).
3D printing materials developed: 150 new types (2022).
Sustainable chemistry sales share: 35% (2022).
Hydrogen technology R&D: 1.2 billion euros invested (2022).
Battery chemicals R&D spend: 800 million euros (2022).
Digital twins in plants: 40% adoption (2023).
CO2 utilization patents: 450 filed (2022).

Innovation and R&D Interpretation

While its €9.8 billion R&D engine hums with 82,000 minds, Germany's chemical industry is methodically betting its future on green molecules, digital twins, and bio-inspired startups, proving that even a traditional titan can teach itself new, sustainable alchemy.

Production Volumes and Capacities

In 2022, the German chemical industry achieved a total production volume of 221.5 billion euros, marking a 5.2% increase from the previous year.
The specialty chemicals segment in Germany produced 58.7 billion euros worth of goods in 2022, representing 26.5% of total chemical output.
Basic chemicals production in the German industry reached 89.2 billion euros in 2022, up 7.1% year-over-year.
Germany's chemical production capacity utilization stood at 78.4% in 2022, down from 82.1% in 2021 due to energy costs.
In 2023 Q1, chemical production index in Germany was 102.3 (2020=100), a 4.5% decline from Q1 2022.
Plastics production in the German chemical sector totaled 42.1 billion euros in 2022.
Pharmaceutical chemicals output in Germany was 31.4 billion euros in 2022, growing 3.8%.
Man-made fibers production volume in Germany reached 2.8 billion euros in 2022.
Inorganic basic chemicals production capacity in Germany is approximately 25 million tons annually as of 2023.
Ammonia production in German plants totaled 2.1 million tons in 2022.
Ethylene production capacity in Germany stands at 4.2 million tons per year (2023 data).
Propylene cracker output in Germany was 3.5 million tons in 2022.
Polyethylene production in Germany reached 3.8 million tons in 2022.
PVC production volume in the German industry was 1.9 million tons annually (2022).
German chemical industry energy consumption for production was 142 TWh in 2022.
CO2 emissions from German chemical production totaled 28.5 million tons in 2022.
Water usage in German chemical plants averaged 15 cubic meters per ton of product in 2022.
Waste generation in the sector was 12.4 million tons in 2022, with 95% recycled.
Number of chemical production sites in Germany: 5,200 as of 2023.
Ludwigshafen chemical complex (BASF) has a production capacity of over 11 million tons/year.
In 2023, German chemical production volume declined by 11% to approximately 197 billion euros.
Petrochemicals output fell to 75 billion euros in 2023.
The production index for chemicals was 95.6 (2015=100) in 2023 annual average.
Fertilizer production in Germany: 4.5 million tons in 2023.
Synthetic rubber production: 1.2 million tons (2023).

Production Volumes and Capacities Interpretation

While Germany's chemical industry flexed a robust 221.5 billion euro muscle in 2022, its 2023 stumble to 197 billion reveals a sector grimacing under energy costs, yet still potent enough to recycle 95% of its waste and remain Europe's indispensable chemical engine.

Trade and Exports

Chemical exports from Germany: 109.3 billion euros in 2022.
Chemical imports: 78.4 billion euros in 2022.
Trade surplus in chemicals: 30.9 billion euros (2022).
Top export market: USA with 12.5 billion euros (2022).
China chemical exports: 11.2 billion euros (2022).
EU internal trade chemicals: 65 billion euros exports (2022).
Specialty chemicals export share: 55% of production (2022).
Pharma chemicals exports: 28.5 billion euros (2022).
Plastics exports: 22.4 billion euros (2022).
Share of chemicals in total German exports: 9.8% (2022).
FDI in chemical sector: 15.2 billion euros inflows (2022).
Logistics costs for exports: 4.5 billion euros (2022).
E-commerce sales in chemicals: 2.8 billion euros (2023).
Tariff barriers impact: 1.2 billion euros lost (2022 est.).
Free trade agreements coverage: 85% of exports (2023).
Chemical export growth to Asia: 8.2% (2022).

Trade and Exports Interpretation

While our precision-made molecules are clearly in high demand abroad, netting a robust €30.9 billion surplus, it seems the world is still trying to figure out how to send us a chemical bill that even comes close to matching our own formidable invoice.

Sources & References

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