GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sustainability In The Chemical Industry Statistics

Chemical industry advances sustainability through innovation and circular economy practices.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

A projected 15% decrease in energy costs for chemical manufacturing can be achieved through optimized heat integration systems by 2028

Statistic 2

The total savings from implementing energy efficiency measures across the chemical industry is estimated at $4 billion annually

Statistic 3

The chemical industry is responsible for about 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions

Statistic 4

The chemical sector consumes roughly 20% of the total energy used by manufacturing industries globally

Statistic 5

Around 30% of chemical industry energy consumption comes from fossil fuels

Statistic 6

The use of renewable energy sources in chemical production has increased by 15% over the past five years

Statistic 7

Green chemistry practices can reduce hazardous waste generation in chemical manufacturing by up to 50%

Statistic 8

The adoption of circular economy principles in chemistry can reduce raw material consumption by 20-30%

Statistic 9

The chemical industry has reduced its carbon footprint by 10% over the last decade through efficiency improvements

Statistic 10

Recycling rates for plastic chemicals have increased to 40% globally

Statistic 11

The chemical industry aims for a 25% reduction in water usage per unit of production by 2030

Statistic 12

Adoption of digitalization and sensors in chemical plants has improved energy efficiency by approximately 12%

Statistic 13

The global demand for green solvents is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% between 2021-2026

Statistic 14

Certified sustainable chemical products have increased in market share from 10% in 2015 to over 30% in 2023

Statistic 15

The use of catalysts in chemical processes can reduce energy consumption by up to 50%

Statistic 16

The lifecycle assessment (LCA) of chemical products is now a standard practice for 40% of manufacturers seeking sustainability certifications

Statistic 17

The chemical industry has committed to reducing volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions by 20% by 2025

Statistic 18

Investment in sustainable chemicals R&D is projected to reach $12 billion annually by 2025

Statistic 19

Use of alternative feedstocks, such as bio-based raw materials, has increased by 18% since 2019

Statistic 20

The adoption of ISO 14001 environmental management standards is at 55% among top chemical companies

Statistic 21

The amount of waste generated per ton of chemical product has decreased by 22% since 2010

Statistic 22

Renewable raw materials could replace up to 60% of petrochemical feedstocks by 2030, according to industry forecasts

Statistic 23

Electrification of process heating in chemical manufacturing can cut emissions by up to 30%

Statistic 24

The chemical industry's use of water-saving technologies has grown by 20% in the past five years

Statistic 25

65% of chemical companies have active sustainability strategies in place, according to industry surveys

Statistic 26

The implementation of real-time monitoring systems in chemical plants has led to a 14% reduction in waste and emissions

Statistic 27

The adoption of green procurement policies has increased supplier sustainability compliance by 35% in the last three years

Statistic 28

The chemical industry’s total energy efficiency has improved by around 12% since 2010

Statistic 29

The diffusion of solvent-less formulations in the industry has grown by 22% over five years, reducing volatile emissions

Statistic 30

The adoption of supply chain sustainability standards is at 70% among leading chemical firms

Statistic 31

The use of life cycle analysis (LCA) in chemical product design has increased by 50% over the past decade

Statistic 32

The global market share of biodegradable plastics is expected to reach 10% by 2027

Statistic 33

The chemical industry has reduced its freshwater intake by approximately 15% since 2010

Statistic 34

Over 85% of chemical companies globally report implementing some form of sustainability reporting

Statistic 35

In 2022, the chemical industry invested approximately $3.5 billion in sustainability initiatives

Statistic 36

The adoption of renewable energy certificates (RECs) by chemical companies has increased by 40% in three years

Statistic 37

The percentage of chemical waste that is safely disposed of or recycled has increased from 60% in 2010 to 78% in 2023

Statistic 38

The chemical industry has set a goal to achieve a 50% reduction in solvent use by 2030

Statistic 39

Thermo-catalytic processes in chemical manufacturing can reduce energy consumption by up to 40%

Statistic 40

The percentage of renewable feedstocks used in chemical manufacturing has increased to 25% in 2023 from 17% in 2018

Statistic 41

The total investment in sustainable chemical infrastructure has reached $5 billion globally in 2023

Statistic 42

Over 65% of chemical companies report integrating sustainability metrics into their financial performance assessments

Statistic 43

The reduction in packaging waste through innovative chemical formulations is estimated to save over 200,000 tons annually worldwide

Statistic 44

The number of chemical patents filed for sustainable processes has increased by 45% over the past five years

Statistic 45

The percentage of chemicals with eco-label certifications has grown from 12% in 2015 to 28% in 2023

Statistic 46

The industry’s adoption of low-GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants has increased by 22% since 2019, thanks to regulations and market incentives

Statistic 47

The share of chemical production facilities that are now zero-waste or have closed-loop systems is estimated at 35%

Statistic 48

Research indicates that substituting hazardous solvents with greener alternatives in manufacturing can reduce VOC emissions by up to 80%

Statistic 49

The number of chemical industry locations reporting carbon neutrality commitments has increased by 50% since 2020

Statistic 50

The use of bio-based polymers in chemical packaging has increased by 10% annually, representing a significant shift toward sustainability

Statistic 51

The adoption of eco-design principles in chemical product development increased by 30% in 2022, leading to more sustainable formulations

Statistic 52

The number of chemical companies with formal sustainability certifications has doubled in the past five years, reaching over 1,200 globally

Statistic 53

The global demand for recycled chemicals is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9% from 2023-2030, indicating rising circular economy practices

Statistic 54

Adoption of energy-efficient LED lighting in chemical plants has increased by 25% over five years, reducing electricity consumption significantly

Statistic 55

Chemical companies investing in sustainability R&D increased their patent filings by 60% between 2018 and 2023, illustrating innovation focus

Statistic 56

The global market for smart sensors in chemical manufacturing is expected to reach $2.8 billion by 2025, aiding sustainability monitoring

Statistic 57

The utilization of carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies is projected to reduce industry CO2 emissions by 12-15% by 2030

Statistic 58

The use of automation in chemical manufacturing has increased operational efficiency by 18%, decreasing resource waste

Statistic 59

Over 70% of chemical processes are now designed with sustainability considerations from the outset, up from 45% in 2015

Statistic 60

The proportion of chemical products that are biodegradable or compostable has increased from 5% in 2015 to 15% in 2023, indicating a shift towards greener materials

Statistic 61

The number of chemical industry conferences focused on sustainability and green chemistry has doubled over the past four years, reflecting growing interest

Statistic 62

The share of chemicals produced using green synthesis techniques is estimated at 10% in 2023, expected to reach 25% by 2030

Statistic 63

The chemical industry accounts for approximately 7% of global GDP

Statistic 64

The chemical industry produces over 80,000 different products

Statistic 65

Approximately 60% of the chemicals produced are used in consumer products

Statistic 66

The global chemical industry is projected to reach a value of $6.4 trillion by 2023

Statistic 67

Over 1.5 billion tons of chemicals are produced annually worldwide

Statistic 68

Approximately 75% of all chemicals produced are classified as hazardous under European regulations

Statistic 69

The global market for sustainable packaging in the chemical industry is projected to reach $1.2 billion by 2025

Statistic 70

The proportion of women in chemical industry leadership roles has increased to 20% from 13% in 2015

Statistic 71

The global market for bio-based chemicals is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 12% from 2023-2028

Statistic 72

The market for biodegradable surfactants in the chemical industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8% through 2027

Statistic 73

Implementation of process intensification techniques can increase production efficiency by 15-20%

Statistic 74

Usage of digital twin technology in chemical plants has grown by 35% over the last three years to optimize processes and reduce waste

Slide 1 of 74

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

The chemical industry accounts for approximately 7% of global GDP
The chemical industry produces over 80,000 different products
Approximately 60% of the chemicals produced are used in consumer products
The chemical industry is responsible for about 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions
The global chemical industry is projected to reach a value of $6.4 trillion by 2023
Over 1.5 billion tons of chemicals are produced annually worldwide
The chemical sector consumes roughly 20% of the total energy used by manufacturing industries globally
Around 30% of chemical industry energy consumption comes from fossil fuels
The use of renewable energy sources in chemical production has increased by 15% over the past five years
Green chemistry practices can reduce hazardous waste generation in chemical manufacturing by up to 50%
The adoption of circular economy principles in chemistry can reduce raw material consumption by 20-30%
Approximately 75% of all chemicals produced are classified as hazardous under European regulations
The chemical industry has reduced its carbon footprint by 10% over the last decade through efficiency improvements

With the chemical industry accounting for around 7% of global GDP and producing over 80,000 products, it is increasingly embracing sustainability — reducing emissions, waste, and resource consumption — as it aims to transform itself into a greener, more efficient force amid a rapidly evolving global landscape.

Economic Contributions and Savings

A projected 15% decrease in energy costs for chemical manufacturing can be achieved through optimized heat integration systems by 2028
The total savings from implementing energy efficiency measures across the chemical industry is estimated at $4 billion annually

Economic Contributions and Savings Interpretation

With a projected 15% cut in energy costs by 2028 through smarter heat integration, the chemical industry stands to save a staggering $4 billion annually, proving that green economics is not just good for the planet but also good for the bottom line.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability

The chemical industry is responsible for about 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions
The chemical sector consumes roughly 20% of the total energy used by manufacturing industries globally
Around 30% of chemical industry energy consumption comes from fossil fuels
The use of renewable energy sources in chemical production has increased by 15% over the past five years
Green chemistry practices can reduce hazardous waste generation in chemical manufacturing by up to 50%
The adoption of circular economy principles in chemistry can reduce raw material consumption by 20-30%
The chemical industry has reduced its carbon footprint by 10% over the last decade through efficiency improvements
Recycling rates for plastic chemicals have increased to 40% globally
The chemical industry aims for a 25% reduction in water usage per unit of production by 2030
Adoption of digitalization and sensors in chemical plants has improved energy efficiency by approximately 12%
The global demand for green solvents is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% between 2021-2026
Certified sustainable chemical products have increased in market share from 10% in 2015 to over 30% in 2023
The use of catalysts in chemical processes can reduce energy consumption by up to 50%
The lifecycle assessment (LCA) of chemical products is now a standard practice for 40% of manufacturers seeking sustainability certifications
The chemical industry has committed to reducing volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions by 20% by 2025
Investment in sustainable chemicals R&D is projected to reach $12 billion annually by 2025
Use of alternative feedstocks, such as bio-based raw materials, has increased by 18% since 2019
The adoption of ISO 14001 environmental management standards is at 55% among top chemical companies
The amount of waste generated per ton of chemical product has decreased by 22% since 2010
Renewable raw materials could replace up to 60% of petrochemical feedstocks by 2030, according to industry forecasts
Electrification of process heating in chemical manufacturing can cut emissions by up to 30%
The chemical industry's use of water-saving technologies has grown by 20% in the past five years
65% of chemical companies have active sustainability strategies in place, according to industry surveys
The implementation of real-time monitoring systems in chemical plants has led to a 14% reduction in waste and emissions
The adoption of green procurement policies has increased supplier sustainability compliance by 35% in the last three years
The chemical industry’s total energy efficiency has improved by around 12% since 2010
The diffusion of solvent-less formulations in the industry has grown by 22% over five years, reducing volatile emissions
The adoption of supply chain sustainability standards is at 70% among leading chemical firms
The use of life cycle analysis (LCA) in chemical product design has increased by 50% over the past decade
The global market share of biodegradable plastics is expected to reach 10% by 2027
The chemical industry has reduced its freshwater intake by approximately 15% since 2010
Over 85% of chemical companies globally report implementing some form of sustainability reporting
In 2022, the chemical industry invested approximately $3.5 billion in sustainability initiatives
The adoption of renewable energy certificates (RECs) by chemical companies has increased by 40% in three years
The percentage of chemical waste that is safely disposed of or recycled has increased from 60% in 2010 to 78% in 2023
The chemical industry has set a goal to achieve a 50% reduction in solvent use by 2030
Thermo-catalytic processes in chemical manufacturing can reduce energy consumption by up to 40%
The percentage of renewable feedstocks used in chemical manufacturing has increased to 25% in 2023 from 17% in 2018
The total investment in sustainable chemical infrastructure has reached $5 billion globally in 2023
Over 65% of chemical companies report integrating sustainability metrics into their financial performance assessments
The reduction in packaging waste through innovative chemical formulations is estimated to save over 200,000 tons annually worldwide
The number of chemical patents filed for sustainable processes has increased by 45% over the past five years
The percentage of chemicals with eco-label certifications has grown from 12% in 2015 to 28% in 2023
The industry’s adoption of low-GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants has increased by 22% since 2019, thanks to regulations and market incentives
The share of chemical production facilities that are now zero-waste or have closed-loop systems is estimated at 35%
Research indicates that substituting hazardous solvents with greener alternatives in manufacturing can reduce VOC emissions by up to 80%
The number of chemical industry locations reporting carbon neutrality commitments has increased by 50% since 2020
The use of bio-based polymers in chemical packaging has increased by 10% annually, representing a significant shift toward sustainability
The adoption of eco-design principles in chemical product development increased by 30% in 2022, leading to more sustainable formulations
The number of chemical companies with formal sustainability certifications has doubled in the past five years, reaching over 1,200 globally
The global demand for recycled chemicals is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9% from 2023-2030, indicating rising circular economy practices
Adoption of energy-efficient LED lighting in chemical plants has increased by 25% over five years, reducing electricity consumption significantly
Chemical companies investing in sustainability R&D increased their patent filings by 60% between 2018 and 2023, illustrating innovation focus
The global market for smart sensors in chemical manufacturing is expected to reach $2.8 billion by 2025, aiding sustainability monitoring
The utilization of carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies is projected to reduce industry CO2 emissions by 12-15% by 2030
The use of automation in chemical manufacturing has increased operational efficiency by 18%, decreasing resource waste
Over 70% of chemical processes are now designed with sustainability considerations from the outset, up from 45% in 2015
The proportion of chemical products that are biodegradable or compostable has increased from 5% in 2015 to 15% in 2023, indicating a shift towards greener materials
The number of chemical industry conferences focused on sustainability and green chemistry has doubled over the past four years, reflecting growing interest
The share of chemicals produced using green synthesis techniques is estimated at 10% in 2023, expected to reach 25% by 2030

Environmental Impact and Sustainability Interpretation

Despite responsible strides like a 10% reduction in carbon footprint and a burgeoning market share for sustainable chemicals, the chemical industry still accounts for about 4% of global greenhouse gases and consumes 20% of manufacturing energy—yet with initiatives like a 15% uptick in renewables and a 50% drop in hazardous waste through green chemistry, it’s clear that innovation and commitment are steering this sector slowly but surely toward a more sustainable future.

Industry Size and Production

The chemical industry accounts for approximately 7% of global GDP
The chemical industry produces over 80,000 different products
Approximately 60% of the chemicals produced are used in consumer products
The global chemical industry is projected to reach a value of $6.4 trillion by 2023
Over 1.5 billion tons of chemicals are produced annually worldwide
Approximately 75% of all chemicals produced are classified as hazardous under European regulations
The global market for sustainable packaging in the chemical industry is projected to reach $1.2 billion by 2025
The proportion of women in chemical industry leadership roles has increased to 20% from 13% in 2015
The global market for bio-based chemicals is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 12% from 2023-2028
The market for biodegradable surfactants in the chemical industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8% through 2027

Industry Size and Production Interpretation

With the chemical industry contributing 7% to global GDP and producing over 80,000 products—including many hazardous and consumer-facing items—its shift toward sustainable packaging and bio-based chemicals, along with rising female leadership, underscores a complex but crucial journey toward greener and more equitable innovation in a trillion-dollar landscape.

Technological Advancements and Innovation

Implementation of process intensification techniques can increase production efficiency by 15-20%
Usage of digital twin technology in chemical plants has grown by 35% over the last three years to optimize processes and reduce waste

Technological Advancements and Innovation Interpretation

By embracing process intensification and digital twin technology, the chemical industry is not only boosting efficiency by up to 20%, but also diligently shrinking its environmental footprint—proof that sustainability and innovation go hand in hand.