遭遇“关停潮”，欧洲石化业向何处去?

Core Viewpoint - The European chemical industry is facing a significant crisis, with many companies considering shutting down operations due to high production costs and aging equipment, leading to a potential wave of factory closures [2][3][4]. Industry Challenges - The European basic chemical sector is struggling with high production costs and competition from regions like North America and the Middle East, which have cheaper raw materials [2][4]. - Major companies such as Dow, ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, and Shell are reevaluating their European chemical assets, particularly focusing on naphtha cracking facilities [4]. - The average age of European cracking plants exceeds 40 years, with production costs for naphtha-based ethylene at $800 per ton, significantly higher than $400 per ton in the U.S. and $200 per ton in the Middle East [5]. Government Response - The European Commission has pledged to support the local production of strategic chemicals and plans to expand national aid for factory modernization [3][5]. - Countries like France, Italy, and Spain are advocating for a "Critical Chemicals Act" to address the challenges faced by the chemical industry [5]. Future Outlook - Analysts believe that while the European chemical industry will not completely disappear, it will likely enter an oligopolistic phase [6]. - CEO of Covestro, Markus Steilemann, expressed optimism about structural reforms in the European chemical sector, suggesting that the industry has hit rock bottom and is beginning to show positive progress [7][8]. - The focus on specialty chemicals is seen as a potential growth area, with small and medium-sized enterprises playing a crucial role in innovation [8][9]. Economic Impact - The German chemical industry is expected to face significant challenges due to U.S. tariff policies, which could lead to a one-third reduction in exports to the U.S. [10]. - The German economy is projected to recover in the coming year, driven by government spending and interest rate cuts, although challenges remain [11].