Recently, market participants noted that as the influence of the European market wanes, global chemical trade flows are gradually shifting toward emerging Asian markets. Among these, Asia, particularly the Middle East, is further consolidating its position as a major export hub for chemical products. In the long term, Europe may transition from a net exporter to a net importer of chemical products.

"The labor force in Europe that generates income is shrinking, while the consumption expenditures of the existing workforce are gradually shifting to other regions. This directly dampens the vitality of the local consumer market. This phenomenon will further impact the demand for chemical products in Europe, creating more export opportunities for Middle Eastern and East Asian countries, which are major chemical producers with excess capacity." The European market is continuing to decline. German chemical trader HELM AG chairman Stephan Schnabe said.

Udo Lange, CEO of Stolt-Nielsen, a Danish chemical shipping and terminal operator, pointed out, "In the long run, Europe is likely to shift from being a net exporter to a net importer of chemical products. Capital expenditures in the European chemical industry continue to flow outward, with local plants shutting down one after another. As most new investments are directed outside Europe, there is little chance these investments will return in the short term. The European chemical industry will increasingly focus on specialty chemicals and gradually withdraw from the basic chemical sector."

In 2026, only one chemical plant is scheduled to commence operations in the EU region, namely the ethylene cracker with an annual capacity of 1.5 million tons by the Ineos Group in Antwerp, Belgium.