Greetings! I am Li Ming, the manager of Book-Chem.com. As a professional platform specializing in chemical raw materials, surfactants (surfactants), and related supply chain services, we are committed to providing reliable and efficient chemical solutions to customers worldwide. In recent years, the chemical industry has been turbulent, particularly under the pressures of soaring energy costs, climate change-related taxes, raw material price fluctuations, and evolving tariffs. Europe’s chemical giants are facing unprecedented challenges. Today, I want to share an important message with you: The global chemical landscape is accelerating its restructuring, which presents both challenges and tremendous opportunities. If you’re encountering issues in supply chain adjustments, feel free to contact us at any time—we’re here to provide full support.
Europe’s Shutdown Wave: The Domino Effect on the Supply Chain is Underway
According to the latest data from the 59th Annual Meeting of the European Petrochemical Association (EPCA), Europe’s chemical industry is experiencing a widespread capacity shutdown tide. It is projected that the shutdown scale will exceed 15 million tons per year in 2024-2025, extending beyond olefins to the entire value chain. Major companies such as BASF, Dow Chemical, and LyondellBasell have announced “strategic retreats”: factory sales in the Netherlands, permanent closures of PU production lines in Germany, and production cuts in the UK under environmental pressures… These moves are not isolated but the result of dual squeezes from energy crises and green transitions.
Take the surfactants sector as an example—as a core subfield of fine chemicals, the upstream raw materials for surfactants (such as hydrocarbons, fatty acids, and palm oil derivatives) are severely impacted. The sharp reduction in European local capacity could lead to global supply shortages, with raw material prices rising 10-15% in the short term. This will have a chain reaction on downstream applications—from daily chemical detergents and textile auxiliaries to agricultural spray agents. Data shows that Europe has permanently closed 11 million tons of capacity in 2023-2024, and this trend will intensify further in 2025.
Rise of Emerging Markets: China’s Surfactants Industry Ushers in a “Golden Window”
In stark contrast to Europe’s “winter,” investment vitality in emerging markets is booming. As the world’s chemical powerhouse, China is accelerating industrial upgrades through environmental remediation and technological innovation. The joint release by seven departments of the Petrochemical and Chemical Industry Steady Growth Action Plan clearly states that the industry’s added value will grow by more than 5% annually from 2025-2026, with a focus on digital empowerment and green transformation. This is particularly beneficial for the surfactants sector: domestic leaders like Royal DSM are laying out specialty surfactants through a matrix of over 1,800 products, with the global market size expected to grow from $32.1 billion in 2024 to $39.36 billion in 2031, at a CAGR of 3%.
The upward cycle in palm oil prices further amplifies this advantage. After the elimination of small-scale capacities due to environmental policies, the concentration among leading companies has increased, and overseas expansions (such as factories in Southeast Asia) are in full swing. The prospects for agrochemical surfactants are bright, with a CAGR exceeding 4% projected for 2026-2030, and India and Southeast Asia emerging as new hotspots. In short, the “vacuum” left by Europe’s shutdowns will be filled by Asia, with Chinese companies leading the global trade reshaping.
How Book-Chem.com Can Help You Seize Opportunities?
In this restructuring of the landscape, Book-Chem.com remains your reliable partner. Our platform aggregates a vast array of surfactant products, chemical intermediates, and customized solutions, covering the full spectrum from non-ionic to anionic surfactants. In response to current supply chain fluctuations, we have optimized procurement channels to ensure stable product quality. However, we must remind you: Due to global capacity adjustments and logistics pressures, current orders require approximately one month of waiting time. During this period, we recommend planning your needs in advance to avoid delays.
If you’re facing disruptions in European supplies, price hikes, or overseas investment consultations, don’t worry! Our professional team is always online to provide one-on-one consulting services:
- Supply Chain Assessment: Free analysis of your surfactant needs to help switch to emerging market channels.
- Custom Ordering: Support for small-batch trials and locking in preferential prices.
- Industry Reports: Exclusive sharing of the latest EPCA data and domestic policy interpretations.
Contacting us is super simple: Visit https://book-chem.com/, click “Online Consultation,” or call our service hotline (+372) 5722-0488 (weekdays 9:00-18:00). Email: [email protected]. We promise a response to every message within 24 hours!
Conclusion: Moving Forward in Change, Winning the Future Together
The “restructuring” of the chemical industry is not an endpoint but a new starting point. While Europe’s shutdowns bring short-term pain, they also open up infinite possibilities for emerging powers like China. At Book-Chem.com, we believe that through close collaboration, every user can turn challenges into opportunities. Let’s move forward hand in hand and write the new chapter of the chemical era together!
Thank you for reading and trusting us. If this article inspires you, feel free to share it with your industry peers. We look forward to your message—let’s take action together!
