The international chemical industry has seen a slow recovery according to the latest Facts & Figures report [1] by the European Chemical Industry Council (cefic).

The value of worldwide chemicals sales in 2013 was 3,156 billion €, an increase of 2.4 % compared to the previous year. This was mostly driven by China, where chemicals sales swelled from 918 billion € in 2012 to 1,047 billion € in 2013. The European Union and the United States had very similar total chemicals sales in 2013 and share the second rank.

 

 

 

Share of Chemicals Trade in Total Merchandise by Region in 2012

(CIS = Commonwealth of Independent States, an association of former Soviet Republics, [1])

 

 

 

Chemicals Sales in 2013 – Absolute Values

(EU = EU-28, NAFTA = North American Free Trade Agreement, excluding pharmaceuticals, [1])

 

 

 

Chemicals Sales Shares 2003 vs. 2013

(EU = EU-28, NAFTA = North American Free Trade Agreement, excluding pharmaceuticals, [1])

 

 

 

Chemicals Sales Shares of EU Member States in 2013

(EU = EU-28, excluding pharmaceuticals, [1])

 

 

 

Top 10 Countries in 2013

(comparing absolute sales values, excluding pharmaceuticals, [1])

 

 

 

Chemicals Exports and Imports Shares

(EU = EU-28, NAFTA = North American Free Trade Agreement, excluding pharmaceuticals, [1])

 

 

 

Investment in the Chemical Industry

(EU = EU-28, excluding pharmaceuticals, [1])

 

 

 

R&D Spending

(EU = EU-28, excluding pharmaceuticals, [1])

 

 

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References

• [1] International Trade Statistics 2013
  World Trade Organization (WTO)
• [2] Facts and Figures 2014
  The European Chemical Industry Council (cefic)

 

Also of Interest

• International Chemical Trade (2012 Data)
  ChemViews Mag. 2014.
  DOI: 10.1002/chemv.201400116
• All Industry Roundups