Germany's chemical industry association VCI said on Friday Q1 output, sales and prices fell and warned rising energy, raw-material and transport costs linked to Iran-related conflict are continuing to weigh on the sector, making a recovery in 2026 unlikely. The VCI said overall chemical-sector production, including pharmaceuticals, fell 6% YoY in Q1; producer prices dropped 1% and sales declined 5.4% YoY.

2026-05-29

Germany's chemical industry association VCI said on Friday Q1 output, sales and prices fell and warned rising energy, raw-material and transport costs linked to Iran-related conflict are continuing to weigh on the sector, making a recovery in 2026 unlikely. The VCI said overall chemical-sector production, including pharmaceuticals, fell 6% YoY in Q1; producer prices dropped 1% and sales declined 5.4% YoY.