Overview Key strengths Key risks World's leading chemicals producer by scale and portfolio breadth, with global footprint and vertically integrated production benefiting from the "Verbund" concept. Structural competitive disadvantage for European production due to regionally high energy and feedstock costs. A gradual shift to higher-margin, higher-growth end markets thanks to portfolio realignment initiatives, including acquisitions and divestitures. Volatile profitability and cash flow due to considerable exposure to the cyclical commodity chemicals industry and to cyclical end markets, which face sluggish demand on a dampened global economy. Diversification benefits of producing commodity and specialty chemicals, complemented by a sizable share of agrochemicals. Reduced financial flexibility due to high investments in growth projects in next two years, partly compensated by disposal proceeds.
