Cover Story
-
July 7, 2008 - Volume 86, Number 27
- p. 35
Facts & Figures Of The Chemical Industry
The chemical industry began to feel the impact of a changing economy in 2007
Got A Thing For Data?
Got the number crunch itch? Satisfy it at www.cen-online.org/coverstory/86/8627tables.html, where downloadable
versions of the Facts & Figures tables are in CSV (Comma Separated Values,
think excel) file format. Zip files versions of the tables are below:
Facts & Figures Zip
» Finances (48 KB)
» Employment (12 KB)
» Production (28 KB)
» Trade (12 KB)
» 60 Tables (96 KB)

The chemical industry held its act together in 2007. With prices up and trade in chemicals especially strong, most world regions saw production grow. But economic conditions such as rising raw material costs and the falling dollar began to have a noticeable effect.
Companies in the U.S. and Europe that had enjoyed a slight break from high costs in 2006 found that profits were squeezed again in 2007. Demand, however, remained strong. Chemical shipments increased 9% in the U.S. and 6.5% in Europe.
Producer prices were up slightly across the board, especially for petrochemicals, as companies sought to pass cost increases along to customers. But the biggest price increases were for agricultural chemicals, which experienced both increased raw materials costs and a large boost in demand. In the U.S., prices for agricultural chemicals rose by 14.5%.
The falling dollar had a large impact on trade balances in the U.S. and Europe. A boom in U.S. plastics exports powered a chemical trade surplus for the first time since 2001. Meanwhile, the strong euro made exports from Europe expensive compared with chemicals priced in dollars, and many countries there saw exports go down.
In Asia, China continued to be the main story. Chinese imports of chemicals went up 22% to more than $68 billion, while exports surged 35% to $51 billion, significantly shrinking that country's chemical trade deficit.
One bright spot was the increase in capital spending in the U.S. and Europe—even as companies faced a cloudy outlook for the global economy. R&D spending was mixed, however, and employment fell in the U.S., Europe, and Canada.
C&EN staff members who collected industry data from the major chemical-producing countries and regions are
Cover Story
- Editor's Page: Facts & Figures
- The most complete set of statistics on the chemical industry available anywhere for the cost of membership in the American Chemical Society.
- Introduction: Facts & Figures Of The Chemical Industry
- The chemical industry began to feel the impact of a changing economy in 2007
- Finances: Growth In Demand Mitigates Soaring
- Profits decreased, but strong finances supported capital spending
Download FInances (PDF size: 412 KB) - Employment: Jobs Decrease In Most Regions
- Japan was the only country to see major employment growth, U.S. continues decline
Download Employment (PDF size: 744 KB) - Production: Gains In Chemical Output Decline
- Production growth tapered in Europe but increased in Asia
Download Production (PDF size: 304 KB) - Trade: Export Patterns Shift With Falling Dollar
- U.S.'s trade balance turned positive, and Europe's costly exports faded
Download Trade (PDF size: 140 KB)
Save/Share »
- Chemical & Engineering News
- ISSN 0009-2347
- Copyright © 2009 American Chemical Society
Tools
- Save/Share »
Login
Adjust text size:
Articles By Topic
Cover Story
- Editor's Page: Facts & Figures
- The most complete set of statistics on the chemical industry available anywhere for the cost of membership in the American Chemical Society.
- Introduction: Facts & Figures Of The Chemical Industry
- The chemical industry began to feel the impact of a changing economy in 2007
- Finances: Growth In Demand Mitigates Soaring
- Profits decreased, but strong finances supported capital spending
Download FInances (PDF size: 412 KB) - Employment: Jobs Decrease In Most Regions
- Japan was the only country to see major employment growth, U.S. continues decline
Download Employment (PDF size: 744 KB) - Production: Gains In Chemical Output Decline
- Production growth tapered in Europe but increased in Asia
Download Production (PDF size: 304 KB) - Trade: Export Patterns Shift With Falling Dollar
- U.S.'s trade balance turned positive, and Europe's costly exports faded
Download Trade (PDF size: 140 KB)
Related Stories
- » Facts & Figures Of The Chemical Industry
- C&EN, July 2, 2007
- » Facts & Figures Of The Chemical Industry
- C&EN, July 10, 2006