Introduction: Chemicals Download PDF
The chemicals industry is a new industry when compared to others, but it is a very important one. It plays a vital part in the smooth functioning of any industry that involves manufacturing, or that uses chemicals in the creation of a final product. Despite the slump around 2002, it is a relatively high growth industry.
Risk Description
Chemicals Industry
The world chemicals sector should maintain moderate growth this year despite the slowdown in raw materials. Strong demand from emerging countries, especially China and India, will largely offset the sluggishness in North America and Western Europe resulting from the slowdown of domestic demand. The major Western chemical companies will benefit substantially in such conditions via their exports and their production facilities in emerging regions. The sector has largely been able to pass on raw material price increases to buyers even if the downstream industry continues to experience difficulties on that score. The overall financial health and profitability of sector companies has remained good in that context with ongoing restructuring a contributing factor..
Corporations (By Sales)
Sectoral Rankings
|
World |
North America |
Japan |
Western Europe |
Central Europe |
Emerging Asia |
Latin America |
Middle East |
CIS | |
|
April 2008 |
A- |
A- |
A |
A- |
B+ |
A |
B+ |
A+ |
B+ |
Trade Statistics
| Country | Exports (thousands) | Imports (thousands) | Net Trade (thousands) | Share of Exports (%) |
Share of Imports (%) |
Exports Growth (%) | Imports Growth (%) |
| Germany | 98,252,305 | 60,657,535 | 37,594,770 | 11.345 | 6.567 | 16.259 | 10.924 |
| United States | 97,786,953 | 102,105,441 | (4,318,488) | 11.291 | 11.054 | 12.204 | 10.117 |
| Belgium | 59,405,193 | 46,474,879 | 12,930,314 | 6.859 | 5.031 | 23.175 | 8.961 |
| Japan | 51,541,397 | 32,968,398 | 18,572,999 | 5.951 | 3.569 | 17.235 | 6.051 |
| Netherlands | 44,376,356 | 25,741,003 | 18,635,353 | 5.124 | 2.787 | 22.752 | 5.974 |