Industry Statistics and Trends
Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Europe key trends
The effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict add substantial costs.
Many chemicals require oil and gas as inputs, so disruption to the supply of these key commodities has put upwards pressure on production costs.
Bio-based products become more popular.
R&D activity is rising as manufacturers seek to capitalise on growing demand for sustainable, bio-based chemicals.
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Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Europe
Industry Revenue
Total value and annual change from 2012-2030. Includes 5-year outlook.
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Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Europe market size (2020-2025)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 6.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €365.0bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Rising eco-awareness hit Ethylene sales to packaging manufacturers
- Polyethylene is the world’s most widely used plastic. It’s made by the polymerisation of ethylene, a basic organic chemical compound, and it’s the material used to make most plastic bags, plastic films and plastic containers.
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Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Europe outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Tightening emissions regulations put pressure on chemical manufacturers
- European carbon regulations are set to tighten significantly between 2025 and 2030. The EU aims to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and the UK Emission Trading Scheme will cut its cap from 69 million allowances in 2024 to just 24 million by 2030. These stricter rules could double carbon costs for basic chemical producers using hydrocarbon feedstocks.
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Revenue
€365.0bn
Employees
671k
Wages
€XX.Xbn
European Leaders & Laggards
* CAGR values are for the years 2020-2025.
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Biggest companies in the Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Europe
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (€m)
2025 | Profit (€m)
2025 | Profit Margin (%)
2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
LyondellBasell Industries Holdings NV | 38,382.5 | 2,396.1 | 6.2 | |
INEOS Group Holdings SA | 10,786.0 | 1,671.0 | 15.5 | |
BASF SE | 67,880.0 | 2,973.2 | 4.4 |
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Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Europe
Products & Services Segmentation
Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report
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What is the market size of the Basic Chemical Manufacturing industry in Europe in 2025?
The market size of the Basic Chemical Manufacturing industry in Europe is €365.0bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Basic Chemical Manufacturing industry in Europe in 2025?
There are 7,309 businesses in the Basic Chemical Manufacturing industry in Europe, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.6 % between 2020 and 2025.
Has the Basic Chemical Manufacturing industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Basic Chemical Manufacturing industry in Europe has been growing at a CAGR of 6.1 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Basic Chemical Manufacturing industry in Europe over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Basic Chemical Manufacturing industry in Europe is expected to grow.
What does the Basic Chemical Manufacturing industry in Europe include?
Dyes and pigments and Organic basic chemicals are part of the Basic Chemical Manufacturing industry in Europe.
Which countries have the most businesses in the Basic Chemical Manufacturing industry in Europe?
The European country with the most businesses in the Basic Chemical Manufacturing industry is Russia.
How competitive is the Basic Chemical Manufacturing industry in Europe?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Basic Chemical Manufacturing industry in Europe.
Related Industries
This industry is covered in 37 countries
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Austria
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Romania
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Norway
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in the UK
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Germany
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Estonia
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Iceland
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Europe
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Portugal
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Czechia
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Serbia
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Hungary
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Switzerland
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Denmark
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Turkey
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Ireland
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Malta
- Industrial Gas Manufacturing in the UK
- Dye & Pigment Manufacturing in the UK
- Inorganic Basic Chemical Manufacturing in the UK
- Organic Basic Chemical Manufacturing in the UK
- Organic Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Germany
- Inorganic Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Germany
- Dye & Pigment Manufacturing in Germany
- Industrial Gas Manufacturing in Germany
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Spain
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in France
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Lithuania
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in the Netherlands
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Belgium
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Cyprus
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Finland
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Bulgaria
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Greece
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Russia
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Slovakia
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Italy
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Sweden
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Poland
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Latvia
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Croatia
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Slovenia
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies in this industry manufacture basic chemical products, fertilisers and associated nitrogen compounds, as well as plastics and synthetic rubber in primary forms. They also produce liquefied or compressed gases, dyes and pigments, chemical elements, inorganic acids and compounds, organic compounds and distilled water.
Related Terms
Organic ChemicalsInorganic ChemicalsYieldWhat's included in this industry?
Dyes and pigmentsOrganic basic chemicalsInorganic basic chemicalsCompanies
LyondellBasell Industries Holdings NVINEOS Group Holdings SABASF SEIndustry Code
2011 - Manufacture of basic chemicals in Europe
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Performance
Key Takeaways
Rising eco-awareness hit Ethylene sales to packaging manufacturers
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Revenue Highlights
Trends
- Revenue
- 2025 Revenue Growth
- Revenue Volatility
Employment Highlights
Trends
- Employees
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Employee
Business Highlights
Trends
- Businesses
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Business
Profit Highlights
Trends
- Total Profit
- Profit Margin
- Profit per Business
Current Performance
Charts
- Revenue in the Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Employees in the Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Business in the Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Profit in the Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
Analysis
What's driving current industry performance in the Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Europe industry?
Outlook
Analysis
What's driving the Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Europe industry outlook?
Volatility
Analysis
What influences volatility in the Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix
Life Cycle
Analysis
What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Life Cycle Matrix
Products and Markets
Highlights
Trends
- Largest Market
- Product Innovation
Key Takeaways
Exports are likely to slide as US tariffs make European chemicals less competitive in this market. Basic chemicals face immediate 10% tariffs and a 20% for EU products starting in July 2025. This is likely to hit Germany hardest as the US absorbs nearly a quarter of its pharmaceutical exports.
Products and Services
Charts
- Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis
How are the Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Europe industry's products and services performing?
Analysis
What are innovations in the Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Europe industry's products and services?
Major Markets
Charts
- Major Market Segmentation
Analysis
What influences demand in the Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Europe industry?
International Trade
Highlights
- Largest Importer
- Smallest Importer
- Total Imports into Europe
- Largest Exporter
- Smallest Exporter
- Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
- Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
- Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables
Value and annual change (%) included
- Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2025)
Geographic Breakdown
Business Locations
Heat maps
- Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2025)
Industry Geographic Breakdown
Data Tables
Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:
- Revenue (2025)
- IVA (2025)
- Enterprises (2025)
- Employment (2025)
- Exports (2025)
- Imports (2025)
Competitive Forces
Highlights
Trends
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
Key Takeaways
Mergers and acquisitions are commonplace. Competition between chemical producers is intense, encouraging them to join forces or look for takeover targets to grab more of the market.
Supply Chain
Charts
Buyer and supply industries
Companies
Market Share
Charts
- Industry Market Share by Company (2020-2025)
Companies
Data Tables
Top 11 companies by market share:
- Market share (2025)
- Revenue (2025)
- Profit (2025)
- Profit Margin (2025)
Data Tables
- Countries of operation for LyondellBasell Industries Holdings NV
- Countries of operation for INEOS Group Holdings SA
- Countries of operation for BASF SE
- Countries of operation for Solvay SA
- Countries of operation for Versalis SpA
- Countries of operation for Air Liquide SA
- Countries of operation for Dow Inc
- Countries of operation for Repsol SA
- Countries of operation for Wacker Chemie AG
- Countries of operation for BorsodChem
- Countries of operation for Borealis AG
External Environment
Highlights
Trends
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key Takeaways
Strict laws govern chemical use. Stringent requirements are placed on chemical production, use and disposal, with the aim of driving innovation towards more sustainable products.
External Drivers
Analysis
What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Europe industry?
Financial Benchmarks
Highlights
Trends
- Profit Margin
- Average Wage
- Largest Cost
Key Takeaways
Competition and high operating costs constrain profit. Price competition (both internally and from low-cost imports from China) puts significant strain on chemical manufacturers’ returns, while persistently high energy bills add to operating costs.
Cost Structure
Charts
- Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
-
Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
- Marketing
- Depreciation
- Profit
- Purchases
- Wages
- Rent
- Utilities
- Other
Analysis
What trends impact cost in the Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Europe industry?
Key Ratios
Data tables
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
Country Benchmarks
European Leaders & Laggards
Data Tables
Top and bottom five countries listed for each:
- Revenue Growth (2025)
- Business Growth (2025)
- Job Growth (2025)
European Country Performance
Data Tables
Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:
- IVA/Revenue (2025)
- Imports/Demand (2025)
- Exports/Revenue (2025)
- Revenue per Employee (2025)
- Wages/Revenue (2025)
- Employees per Establishment (2025)
- Average Wage (2025)
Structural Comparison
Data Tables
Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
- Volatility
- Capital Intensity
- Innovation
- Life Cycle
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Methodology
Where does IBISWorld source its data?
IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
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