FactsFigures2021 Leaflet V05

THE EUROPEAN
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY
A VITAL PART OF
EUROPE’S FUTURE
FACTS
& FIGURES
2021
Cefic Facts & Figures 2021
A full version of the 2021 Cefic Facts & Figures of

the European chemical industry is available online
on the Cefic website.
Enquiries
Dr. Moncef Hadhri
Economic Affairs
Tel. +32.2.436.93.65
mha@cefic.be
Unless specified, chemical industry excludes pharmaceuticals
Disclaimer:
For the sake of data integrity, figures within Cefic’s Facts & Figures publications are compiled
and updated on a regular basis from public statistical sources (Eurostat, EU Commission,
EEA, …). These sources regularly review their previous years’ data and at times retroactively
amend it. As a result of these updates, the comparison of annual Cefic Facts & Figures
editions is not necessarily consistent over time.
Foreword
The European Commission has recognised the chemical industry for its
The Chemical industry is “indispensable” role to help society achieve the new European Green
Deal objectives. Cefic has clearly expressed our industry’s support for
a vital part of Europe’s economy the Green Deal and Europe’s ambition to go climate neutral by 2050.
and its innovative solutions This transition will bring huge challenges, but it also brings a set of opportunities
for industry. Europe must show its leadership in innovating and deploying
are essential to deliver a low competitive new technologies for delivering a climate neutral, circular and
digital transition. Whether it is chemistry for solar panels, wind turbines,
carbon and circular economy batteries, building insulation, medicines, chemical recycling technologies or the
both within Europe and beyond huge variety of other solutions we provide, our European chemical industry
can excel and thrive in delivering its innovation-led contributions to the
its borders. Green Deal. This is also the way to ensure sustainable economic growth
and new jobs thrive and remain in Europe.
Supported by the major new, multi-billion European Recovery Plan package,

Europe can move forward fast. If Europe’s many industries and companies
are truly enabled to deliver to their strengths – such as coming up with
world-class innovations – and are enabled to bring these to the market,
we will jointly convert opportunity into success.
But we will need to work with European policymakers and governments

to have the right framework conditions in place that keep competitiveness
during this transition in clear focus.
With a supportive, enabling and forward-looking policy framework,

starting with an EU Industrial Strategy that enables industry to deliver
on the EU Green Deal, our industry can play a large role in building
a better sustainable future for Europe and its people.
We stand ready to cooperate closely with the Institutions to ensure

this vision is brought to reality.
Europe is the second largest

chemicals producer in the world
World chemical sales (2019, €3,669 billion)
World chemical sales (2019, €3,669 billion)
Rest of Europe*
EU27
168
China
543 Japan
NAFTA**
570 1,488 119
168
South Korea
92
India 362 Rest of Asia***
26
117
Latin America Africa
16
Rest of the world
Source: Cefic Chemdata International 2020

Source: Cefic Chemdata
* Rest of EuropeInternational 2020 Norway,Turkey, Russia and Ukraine
covers UK, Switzerland,
* Rest
** of Europe
North covers
American UK, Switzerland,
Free Trade Agreement Norway, Turkey, Russia and Ukraine
*** Asia excluding China, India, Japan and South Korea
** North American Free Trade Agreement Unless specified, chemical industry
*** Asia excluding China, India, Japan and South Korea excludes pharmaceuticals
China dominates chemical sales

world ranking
World chemical sales by country: top 10
Chemical sales by country: top 10
1,600
Chemical sales 2019 (€ billion)
1,488
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600 543
504
400
200 168 119 92 76 74 65 49

0
China EU27 USA Japan South India Taiwan Russia Brazil Saudi
Korea Arabia

Unless specified, chemical industry
Source: Cefic Chemdata International 2020 excludes pharmaceuticals
World market share of European

chemical sales drops by half
EU27 share of global chemicals market
EU27 share of global chemicals market
600 30
EU27 chemical sales (€ billion)
World share (%)

550 543
550 26.7% 518 510
535
506 498 494
500 455 471 478 25
456
450 436 380
400 367 20
350
313
300 15
250 14.8%
200 10
150
100 5
50
0 0
1999 2001 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
EU27 chemical sales (€ billion)

World share (%)

A smaller share for Europe of a

bigger chemicals cake
Growth in world chemical sales 2019-2030
Growth in world chemical sales 2019-2030
Sales 2019 Sales 2030
2.7% 1.0%
3.6%
3.2% 1.1% 3.7%
4.6%
4.6% 10.5%
14.8% 40.6%
€3.7 trillion €6.2 trillion 48.6%
14.2%
15.5%
15.6%
15.8%
China Rest of Europe*
Rest of Asia*** Japan
NAFTA** Latin America
EU27 ROW
Source:
* RestCefic Chemdata
of Europe International
covers UK, 2020 Turkey, Russia and Ukraine
Switzerland, Norway,
** * Rest
North of Europe
American covers
Free Trade UK, Switzerland, Norway, Turkey, Russia and Ukraine
Agreement
Europe strong
on chemicals trade
Extra-EU27 chemicals trade balance
Extra-EU27 chemicals trade balance
200
€ billion
180
160
140
120
100
80
60 46,8 47,2 47,0 49,1

41,5 43,1 41,7 45,2 45,2
39,3 39,5
40
20
0
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Extra-EU27 trade balance

� Extra-EU27 exports
� Extra-EU27 imports
Europe holds trade surplus with top

competing markets
EU27 chemicals trade flows with major geographic blocs
EU27 chemicals trade flows with major geographic blocs
Rest of Europe*
35.9
63.3 China Japan
25.2 NAFTA**
49.6 14.2
14.7
4.7
6.7
11.8
3.9
Africa Rest of Asia***
9.4 Rest of 32.9
4.0 the world
Latin America
5.3
26.3
2.0
Extra-EU27 exports 2019 (€177.5 billion)

Extra-EU27 imports 2019 (€132.4 billion)

Source: Cefic Chemdata
* Rest of EuropeInternational 2020 Norway,Turkey, Russia and Ukraine
* Rest
** of Europe
North covers
American UK, Switzerland,
Free Trade Agreement Norway, Turkey, Russia and Ukraine
Europe generates more

chemicals trade* with USA
EU27 chemicals trade* flows with top partners (2019)
EU27 chemicals trade* flows with top partners (2019)
Russia
14.6% 5.4%
United
Kingdom Turkey Japan
6.7% China
17.1% 3.8% 3.7%
USA 9.3% 3.1%
Switzerland South Korea
3.0%
India
2.5%
Singapore
EU27 trade surplus

EU27 trade deficit

Source:
Cefic Chemdata
* Trade International 2020
= exports + imports Unless specified, chemical industry
* Trade = exports + imports excludes pharmaceuticals
Europe is the largest destination market

for US chemicals exports
World network of major chemicals exports flows (2018, top 5, %)
World network of major chemicals exports flows (2018, top 5, %)
Largest Second largest Third largest Fourth largest Fifth largest Top 5
exporting exporting exporting exporting exporting
market market market market market
EU27 + UK Rest of Asia* United States Rest of Europe** China Africa 67.4%
Rest of Asia* China EU27 + UK United States Japan Middle East 81.8%
United States EU27 + UK Rest of Asia* Latin America China Japan 61.7%
China Rest of Asia* EU27 + UK United States Latin America Japan 83.8%
Japan Rest of Asia* China United States EU27 + UK Latin America 96.7%
Middle East Rest of Asia* China EU27 + UK Africa United States 93.3%
Rest of Europe** EU27 + UK Rest of Asia* Latin America United States China 93.6%
Africa EU27 + UK Rest of Asia* Latin America United States Middle East 94.0%
Latin America EU27 + UK United States Rest of Asia* China Japan 85.7%
Oceania Rest of Asia* China United States EU27 + UK Japan 89.6%
World Rest of Asia* China EU27 + UK United States Latin America 73.5%

* Asia excluding China, Japan and Middle East
Source:
Ceficexcluding
** Europe Chemdata International
EU27+UK; 2020Norway,
it covers Russia,
* AsiaSwitzerland
Turkey, excludingandChina, Japan and Middle East
Ukraine
** Europe excluding EU27+UK; it covers Russia, Norway, Unless specified, chemical industry
Turkey, Switzerland and Ukraine excludes pharmaceuticals
Europe has the largest

chemicals surplus in the world
World matrix: chemicals trade balance (2018)
World matrix: chemicals trade balance (2018)
Rest
EU27 Rest of United Middle of Latin
+ UK Asia* States China Japan East Europe** Africa America Oceania World
EU27 + UK
Rest of Asia*
United States
China
Japan
Middle East
Rest of Europe**
Africa
Latin America
Oceania
World
Trade deficit
Trade surplus
Source: Cefic
Source: Cefic

Chemdata
Chemdata International
International 2020
* Asia excluding China, Japan and Middle East
2020
* Asia excluding
** Europe excluding China, itJapan
EU27+UK; coversand Middle
Russia, East
Norway,
** Europe
Turkey, excluding
Switzerland EU27+UK; it covers Russia, Norway,
and Ukraine Unless specified, chemical industry
Turkey, Switzerland and Ukraine excludes pharmaceuticals
Europe losing exports

competitiveness in chemicals
Chemical exports by country of origin (2008 vs 2018)
Chemical exports by country of origin (2008 vs 2018)
2008 (% of total) 2018 (% of total)
18.2%
21.3%
24.4% 21.6%
2.6%
1.7%
€506.5 billion 2.6% €863.1 billion
3.4% 15.6%
1.9% 3.2%
2.2% 18.3%
3.5% 8.9% 3.9%
8.4%
5.7%
4.7%
7.0% 13.4%
EU27 + UK Singapore 7.4%
United States Saudi Arabia
China India
South Korea Russia
Japan Thailand
ROW*
Source:
Source: Cefic
Cefic Chemdata
Chemdata International
International 2020 2020 Unless specified, chemical industry
* Rest
* Rest ofWorld,
of the the World, intra-EU27+UK
intra-EU27+UK trade excluded
trade excluded excludes pharmaceuticals
Energy costs are the Achilles’ heel

of European industry
Average ethylene cash costs in Europe vs North America
Average ethylene cash costs in Europe vs North America
1,300
Ethylene Cash Cost (US$/ton)
1,200
1,100
1,000
900
800
700 630
600
500
400
300 355
200
100
0
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
� Europe
� North America

Source: ICIS
Source: ICIS andand
CeficCefic
analysisanalysis
2020 2020 excludes pharmaceuticals
Emerging economies outpace industrial

countries in chemicals production
Average chemicals production growth per annum (2009-2019)
Average chemicals production growth per annum (2009-2019)
12
Average production growth p. a. (2009-2019, %)
10
9.3
6 5.5
4
3.0
2.5
2 1.5 1.4 1.3
0.4
0
-2 -1.4
China Russia South India Japan EU27 USA Brazil Mexico
Korea

Europe facing an increasing uncertainty,

and below its pre-crisis level
EU27 chemical industry production
EU27 chemical industry production
110 10
EU27 production index (2015 = 100)
Production % change (y-o-y)

Jan-Nov 2020, % change (y-o-y)
-2.8
105 5
100 0
95 -5
90 -10
85 -15
Jan'18 Mar'18 May'18 Jul'18 Sep'18 Nov18 Jan'19 Mar'19 May'19 Jul'19 Sep'19 Nov19 Jan'20 Mar'20 May'20 Jul'20 Sep'20 Nov'20
Production index (2015=100), Left Hand Side (LHS)

Production % change (y-o-y), Right Hand Side (RHS)
Source: Cefic Chemdata International 2020 Unless specified, chemical industry

Europe reaches the highest level

in chemicals investment
Capital spending in the EU27
Capital chemical
spending industry
in the EU27 chemical industry
30 25
Capital spending (% added value)

Capital spending (€ billion)
25 20.0%
20
16.5%
20
20.1 21.5 21.5 15
19.4 19.2 19.6 19.2 20.9
18.4 17.8
15 17.4 16.6 17.4
16.4 16.0
15.8 16.0
14.8
13.1 10
10
5 5
0 0
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019
Average growth rate p.a. 2001 - 2019

� EU27 added value (€ billion): +2.3%
EU27 capital spending (€ billion): +1.2%
China dominates world chemicals investment
Capital spending by region

Capital spending by region
Rest of Europe*
5.2
9.6
EU27
China
14.5 16.4
34.1 21.5
NAFTA**
27.1 7.2
6.8
Japan
91.5
2.8
5.5
South Korea
2.0
India 5.5
Rest of Asia***
10.4
2.8
3.9 22.1
Latin America
1.5
1.8
Rest of the world
2009 chemicals capital spending (€ billion)

2019 chemicals capital spending (€ billion)

Source: Cefic
* RestChemdata
of Europe International 2020 Norway,Turkey, Russia and Ukraine
* Rest of
** NorthEurope covers
American UK,
Free Trade Switzerland, Norway, Turkey, Russia and Ukraine
Agreement
Europe reaches the highest level

in R&I chemicals investment
R&I spending in the
R&IEU27 chemical
spending industry
in the EU27 chemical industry
12 10
% of added value
€ billion
10 7.9% 8
9.3
9.1
8 8.5 8.4 7.7 7.2%
7.7 7.6 7.9 6
7.3 7.3 7.2 7.1 7.3
6.9 6.9 7.0
6 6.7 6.7 6.7
4
4
2
2
0 0
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019
Average growth rate p.a. 2001 - 2019

� EU27 added value (€ billion): +2.3%
EU27 R&I spending (€ billion): +1.7%
Europe is the second largest

R&I investor in the world
R&I spending by region
R&I spending by region
EU27
7.2 China
6.0 Switzerland
9.3 3.2 5.8
0.4
8.5 0.7 14.8 0.8 6.8
USA
0.7 1.9 Japan
1.5 South Korea
India
0.1
0.2
Brazil
1.7
2.3 Rest of the world
2009 chemicals R&I spending (€ billion)

2019 chemicals R&I spending (€ billion)

Europe falls significantly its fuel

and power consumption*
Fuel and power consumption in the EU27 chemical* industry
Fuel and power consumption in the EU27 chemical* industry
70
Millions of tonnes of oil equivalent
65
64.7 -24%
60
55
55.7
50 52.5 52.6
49.2 49.1
48.2
45
40
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2018
Source: Eurostat Energy Database and Cefic analysis 2020

* Chemicals including pharmaceuticals
Source: Eurostat Energy Database and Cefic analysis 2020 Unless specified, chemical industry
* Chemicals including pharmaceuticals excludes pharmaceuticals
Chemicals energy intensity

halved in Europe
Energy intensity in the EU27
Energy chemical
intensity industry*
in the EU27 chemical industry*
200 +94.7%
Index (1991 = 100)
180
160
140
120
100
80 100.0
-13.8%
85.2
60
68.0
40 55.8 52.3
45.2 44.3
20
0
1991 1996 2001 2006 2011 2016 2018
Average growth rate p.a. 1991-2018
� EU27 chemicals production index (2.5%)
� EU27 energy consumption index (-0.5%)
� EU27 energy intensity (-3.0%)
Source: Eurostat Energy Database and Cefic analysis 2020 Unless specified, chemical industry
Source: *Eurostat
Chemicals
Energy including pharmaceuticals
Database and Cefic analysis 2020 excludes pharmaceuticals
* Chemicals including pharmaceuticals
European chemical production,

greenhouse gas emissions, decouple
EU27 GHG emissions*
EU27 and production**
GHG emissions* and production**
+94.7%
200
Index (1991 = 100)
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
-49.6%
20
0
1991 1996 2001 2006 2011 2016 2018
� EU27 chemicals production

� EU27 greenhouse gas emissions
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA)
Source: * EnergyEnvironment
European (Fuel andAgency
Power(EEA)CO2) is included Unless specified, chemical industry
** Including
* Energy pharmaceuticals
(Fuel and Power CO2) is included excludes pharmaceuticals
** Including pharmaceuticals
Europe enhancing environmental

performance
EU27 GHG emissions*
EU27 per unitemissions*
GHG of energy consumption and per
per unit of energy unit of production**
consumption
and per unit of production**
140
Index (1991 = 100)
120
100
80
-42%
60
40
20
-74%
0
1991 1996 2001 2006 2011 2016 2018
� EU27 chemicals greenhouse gas emissions (per unit of energy consumption*)

� EU27 chemicals greenhouse gas emissions intensity (per unit of production)
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA)

Source: * EnergyEnvironment
European (Fuel andAgency
Power(EEA)CO2) is included Unless specified, chemical industry
** Including
* Energy pharmaceuticals
(Fuel and Power CO2) is included excludes pharmaceuticals
** Including pharmaceuticals
Europe falls significantly its

total number of accidents
Number of accidents at work
Number in EU27+UK
of accidents chemicals
at work in EU27+UK chemicals
200
Index (2010 = 100)
150
100 100
69
50
0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
� Number of fatal accidents

� Number of non-fatal accidents
Source: Eurostat database (hsw_n2_01 and hsw_n2_02) and Cefic analysis 2020 excludes pharmaceuticals
Source: Eurostat database (hsw_n2_01 and hsw_n2_02) and Cefic analysis 2020
Cefic, the European Chemical Industry Council, founded in 1972, is the voice of large, medium and small chemical
companies across Europe, which provide 1.1 million jobs and account for about 15% of world chemicals production.
Cefic members form one of the most active networks of the business community, complemented by partnerships
with industry associations representing various sectors in the value chain. A full list of our members is available on
the Cefic website: www.cefic.org/about-us
Cefic is an active member of the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA), which represents
chemical manufacturers and producers all over the world and seeks to strengthen existing cooperation with global
organisations such as UNEP and the OECD to improve chemicals management worldwide.
FOLLOW US
European Chemical Industry Council ‑ Cefic aisbl
EU Transparency Register n° 64879142323‑90
www.cefic.org

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THE EUROPEAN

A full version of the 2021 Cefic Facts & Figures of

Unless specified, chemical industry excludes pharmaceuticals

Supported by the major new, multi-billion European Recovery Plan package,

But we will need to work with European policymakers and governments

With a supportive, enabling and forward-looking policy framework,

We stand ready to cooperate closely with the Institutions to ensure

Europe is the second largest

Source: Cefic Chemdata International 2020

China dominates chemical sales

200 168 119 92 76 74 65 49

Source: Cefic Chemdata International 2020

World market share of European

World share (%)

EU27 chemical sales (€ billion)

Unless specified, chemical industry

A smaller share for Europe of a

60 46,8 47,2 47,0 49,1

Extra-EU27 trade balance

Europe holds trade surplus with top

Extra-EU27 exports 2019 (€177.5 billion)

Source: Cefic Chemdata International 2020

Europe generates more

EU27 trade surplus

Source: Cefic Chemdata International 2020

Europe is the largest destination market

Source: Cefic Chemdata International 2020

Europe has the largest

Europe losing exports

2008 (% of total) 2018 (% of total)

Energy costs are the Achilles’ heel

Unless specified, chemical industry

Emerging economies outpace industrial

Average chemicals production growth per annum (2009-2019)

Source: Cefic Chemdata International 2020

Europe facing an increasing uncertainty,

Production % change (y-o-y)

Production index (2015=100), Left Hand Side (LHS)

Source: Cefic Chemdata International 2020 Unless specified, chemical industry

Europe reaches the highest level

Capital spending (% added value)

Average growth rate p.a. 2001 - 2019

China dominates world chemicals investment

Capital spending by region

2009 chemicals capital spending (€ billion)

Source: Cefic Chemdata International 2020

Europe reaches the highest level

Average growth rate p.a. 2001 - 2019

Europe is the second largest

2009 chemicals R&I spending (€ billion)

Source: Cefic Chemdata International 2020

Europe falls significantly its fuel

Source: Eurostat Energy Database and Cefic analysis 2020

Chemicals energy intensity

European chemical production,

� EU27 chemicals production

Europe enhancing environmental

� EU27 chemicals greenhouse gas emissions (per unit of energy consumption*)

Source: European Environment Agency (EEA)

Europe falls significantly its

� Number of fatal accidents

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