Drittes Quartal: Chemie-Industrie profitiert von höheren Preisen
Die Umsatzprognose der Chemiebranche fällt besser aus, doch die Produktion geht zurück und Stellen werden abgebaut. Warum Deutschland für viele Unternehmen weiter im roten Bereich bleibt.
In the third quarter, the German chemical and pharmaceutical industry saw an increase in revenue due to higher prices, reaching 53 billion Euros, which is 5.8 percent more than the same period last year. However, production fell by 3.5 percent, and the number of employees decreased by 2.5 percent, to approximately 464,000 people.
According to VCI Managing Director Wolfgang Große Entrup, the chemical-pharmaceutical industry has lost ground again in the third quarter. The one-time effects of the second quarter have largely expired, and extreme low water levels in rivers have further stressed the industry. While major players in the sector have made good deals globally, Germany remains in the red for many companies.
Customers are cutting production, and the weak industrial cycle is putting pressure on demand in Germany and Europe. Major customers, particularly the automotive industry, have reduced their production, and pharmaceutical sales continue to be volatile due to the uncertain U.S. business environment. The overall production forecast for the year was recently lowered by the VCI to a 1.5 percent decline, down from an initial projection of stagnation at the beginning of the year.
The energy-intensive chemical industry has been suffering from relatively high energy prices in Germany and the economic slowdown. Additionally, unpredictable trade policy under U.S. President Donald Trump has further impacted the chemical sector. Companies like BASF and Evonik have already initiated major cost-cutting programs, including layoffs.
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