欧洲化工行业谋求自救

Group 1 - The European chemical industry is currently facing significant challenges, with a pessimistic outlook expressed during the 59th European Petrochemical Association (EPCA) annual meeting held in Berlin from September 22 to 25 [1] - The CEO of the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) emphasized the need for capacity consolidation and the rapid implementation of the Chemical Action Plan to rescue the industry [1][2] - The recovery of the European chemical sector is expected to be slow, with potential improvements not anticipated until 2028, as the industry is currently at the bottom of a prolonged downturn [2] Group 2 - The European chemical industry has seen widespread capacity shutdowns, with new projects like INEOS's "Project One" in Antwerp expected to impact existing capacities [2] - The urgency of executing the EU's Chemical Action Plan is highlighted, as the current policy framework must be implemented quickly to address ongoing capacity closures [2] - Despite new legislative initiatives, there remains a sense of pessimism regarding the future of the European chemical industry, with workers facing job losses and factory closures [2] Group 3 - The downstream market, comprising 515 million consumers in Europe, presents a potential opportunity for recovery in the chemical sector [3] - The chemical industry is closely linked to the automotive sector, and its growth is contingent on the recovery of related industries such as construction [3] - The industry must not become complacent despite its innovative capabilities, as structural "rigid demand" still exists, and discussions at the EPCA focused on which regions can meet these demands [3]