Thanks to the strong pharma business, chemical production rose in the 2nd quarter 2015 by 1.6 % against the previous quarter, according to the VCI. The prices for chemicals stabilized. Total chemical industry sales went up 0.4 % because of foreign business. In particular, trading with overseas customers developed positively; especially sales to the USA grew vigorously. Exports benefited from the favorablee rate of the euro to the US dollar. Sales also expanded in Europe, the industry’s major export market.

VCI President Marijn Dekkers expects a slight growth of 1.5 % for the 2nd half of 2015 in chemical production in Germany. “The weak euro benefits exports, and low oil prices positively impact the chemical business too. But at the same time, the economic situation is becoming less dynamic in China – the largest chemical market worldwide.”

• Verband der Chemischen Industrie (VCI), Frankfurt, Germany