Monthly Industry Briefings > Monthly Industry Forecasts > Chemicals

Chemical production among the core European countries was broadly negative with the exception of the UK. In Germany, chemical production fell by 3% on the month in September with all sub-sectors except for paints posting a decline. Meanwhile, France was little better with output edging down by 0.2%, the second consecutive decline, while Italian production shrunk by a much larger 4.7%, although this came after a sharp 4.1% rise in the previous month. At the same time, chemical production in the UK rose by 1.1% due in large part to an 8% increase in basic chemicals, which has been volatile recently. Looking ahead, the latest survey data for Oct-Nov has been broadly positive on account of stronger orders and production expectations pointing to a steady increase in output ahead.