Facts and figures
Here you will find statistical information about the chemical industry.
Sectoral overview
World chemicals sales nearly double as emerging markets shares surge
China dominates chemicals sales world ranking
China outspends industrial and emerging countries in chemicals R&D
Europe is the second largest chemicals producer in the world
Chemistry is a part of a good life
Sustainable development needs chemistry, and it provides the solution to many of the challenges of today and the future: clean water, sufficient nourishment and natural resources, health and well-being, transport, energy and the management of climate change.
Trends in overall growth expected to continue
China dominates world chemicals investment
EU regulatory cost has doubled in the last ten years
Energy costs are the European industry’s Achilles’ heel
Total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions* fall nearly 61% since 1990
Energy intensity* halved during 25 year period
Chemicals is the largest investor in EU manufacturing
Chemicals is the leading sector accounting for 16% of added value
Chemicals is the fourth largest producer* in EU manufacturing
EU chemicals still growing steadily
Internal market drives EU chemicals sales
More than 80% of EU chemical sales generated in seven EU member states
Manufacturing industry’s share of GDP
EU Chemical Sector Production
Regulatory costs are shaping profitability of the EU chemicals sector
World market share of EU chemicals sales halves
3 Chemical Sector jobs creates 4 for Service Sector in Finland
10 Chemical Sector jobs creates 18 for other Sectors in Finland
Chemical Sector impact on tax revenue in Finland, Euros
Chemistry and Circular Economy
Chemistry enables Recycling economy
Chemistry enables bioeconomy
Chemistry will play a crucial role in developing a new circular bioeconomy. From the manufacture of fertilisers needed for biomass cultivation to the refining of biowaste, chemical companies are involved in the entire biomass cycle.
Economy and business conditions
Value added of the chemical industry
The Finnish chemical industry’s share of value added in the manufacturing industry has grown, standing at 18% in 2019.
Chemical Sector Value Added in Finland
Chemical Sector value added has increased during the past few years.
Chemical Sector Value Added by current price level
Approx. 40% of the value added is created by basic and specialty chemicals.
Investments of the chemical industry in Finland
The chemical sector invests in Finland approximately one billion euros in a year, at least the level of depriciations.
Chemical Sector Sales
Chemical Sector Sales recovered quickly after financial crisis and driven by exports. Raw oil prices are reflected to the oil products prices and waves the sales too.
Chemical Sector Sales
Chemical Sector Sales recovered quickly after financial crisis and driven by exports. Raw oil prices are reflected to the oil products prices and waves the sales too.
Oil price and Chemical Sector Sales in Finland
Chemical Sector Sales in Finland and oil price trends has gone along. This is mainly due to oil products which are included in Chemical Sector in Finland.
Chemical Sector Production in Finland
Chemical Sector Production Volume has been stable / slightly growing.
Industrial Structure in Finland
The Chemical Sector’s share of total Industry output in Finland has grown, accounting 20 percent of the Total Volume.
New Orders for Chemical Sector in Finland
Chemical Sector New Orders has been quite stable.
Chemical Sector Personnel in Finland
Chemical Sector Production in Finland
Economic situation and expectation
Consumer confidence indicator
Confidence in industry
The dramatic decline due to COVID19 in the business confidence indicator for industry stabilized in May 2020.
Foreign Trade
Finnish Chemical Sector exports at 1 billion monthly level
In 2019, exports of Finnish Chemical Sector amounted approx. to EUR 12.4 billion.
Finnish Chemical Sector Exports of Goods, Year-by-year, value change-%
Exports of goods by sector, EUR
Chemical Sector is one of the biggest export sectors in Finland. In 2019, exports of Finnish Chemical Sector amounted approx. to 12.4 billion.
Finnish export of goods by sector (%)
In 2020, the chemical sector accounted for 18 per cent of exports of goods from Finland. The Chemical Sector Exports amounted to EUR 11.5 billion.
Chemical exports
The Chemical Sector’s share of Finnish exports is one fifth. In 2019, the value of Finnish Chemical Sector Export of goods totalled EUR 12.4 billion.
Chemical product group export, trend, EUR
In 2019, exports of Finnish chemical sector amounted approx. to 12.4 billion. Of that approx. 40% oil products, 30% basic and specialty chemicals and 30% other chemical products.
Finnish Chemical Sector Exports
Chemical Sector Exports at EUR 12 billion level.
Chemical industry exports to Russia by Products
The biggest Chemical Sector export product group to Russia is Basic and Specialty Chemicals.
Chemical industry exports to Russia, EUR
In 2020, Finnish Chemical Sector Exports to Russia amounted EUR 750 million, which is approx. 6,5% of the Finnish Chemical Sector Total Exports of Good.
Export destinations
Sweden is the largest export country for the Finnish Chemical Sector.
Chemical sector import countries
Germany is the largest Chemical Sector Importer to Finland
Chemical Sector Trade Balance in Finland, EUR
In 2019, the value of exports came to EUR 12.4 billion, while imports totalled EUR 11.4 billion.
Chemical Sector Imports to Finland by Product group
In 2020, the value of Chemical Sector Imports to Finland totalled approximately EUR 11.4 billion. Oil products and basic chemicals accounted for nearly 50% of all imports.
Industrial Relations
Finnish Chemical Sector, Number of Employees
Finnish Chemical Sector Employees, in Finland and Abroad
Finnish Chemical Sector Personnel Education, Blue Collar
Finnish Chemical Sector Personnel Education, White Collar
Breakdown of the Finnish Chemical Sector Blue Collar Employees by Age
Breakdown of the Finnish Chemical Sector White Collar Employees by Age
Finnish Chemical Sector by Gender
Development of the productivity of work in the Finnish chemical industry
Development of the productivity in Finnish work
Development of earnings
Payroll index of the Chemical Sector in Finland
The payroll index shows the development of the total amount of wages and salaries paid by the chemical industry in Finland.
Responsible care
Circular Economy Indicators 2022
Material streams in production
This is an overall picture of the material streams used in the Responsible Care companies. In 2022, 18 percent of the materials used were renewable or recycled.
Roughly 5% of materials leaving the production are by-products and waste materials. 90% of these materials were utilized as material elsewhere or in energy recovery.
The nature of production in the chemical industry varies a lot. In some companies almost all used materials are renewable, while in other companies it is extremely difficult to utilize renewable materials. The proportion of renewable raw materials used in production increased to 13 percent (10), and the number of companies reporting to use renewable materials was 51 percent (47). In addition to renewable materials, we are following closely the use of recycled materials. 53% (53) of companies reported to use recycled materials or side streams.
Water is partly used as a raw material in the production of chemical industry products, and some of it binds into products while some of it leaves the production as wastewater.
This material balance showcases the inputs and outputs of materials per 1,000 kg of products. More and more side streams from internal and external companies are utilised.
Water Consumption 2022
In 2022, the companies committed to Responsible Care consumed 0.94 litres surface or ground water per one kg of production. Water consumption in production has significantly improved. Consumption per kilogram of production has decreased by 60% since 1995.
Definition
The water consumed in production is included in products or is discharged with wastewater for purification. Water consumption compared to total production signals resource efficiency. Water that companies use for cooling purposes is excluded. The water taken in flows in the cooling pipes separate from the materials used in the processes, after which the water is returned back to the sea or lake.
Results
The companies committed to Responsible Care consumed altogether around 20.08 million m3 of water. The use decreased by almost 20%, from 2021.
In 2022, at companies committed to Responsible Care programme, totally 0,94 litres surface or ground water was used per one kg of production. Part of this water was included in products and part of it was discharged with wastewater for purification. As a reference the corresponding figure at 1995 was 2.4 litres surface or ground water per kilogram of production. Water consumption has decreased by 60% since 1995.
90% of consumed water is originated from surface water sources and rest is consumed from groundwater sources.
Energy Consumption
The companies committed to the Responsible Care programme have improved their energy efficiency gradually during the past years. In 2022 at companies committed to Responsible Care programme, totally 0.95 kWh energy was consumed per one kg of production, up 1% from 2020. Since 1995, energy consumption proportionated to total production has decreased by more than 20 %.
Definition
Energy consumption is reported as consumption of electricity and other energy. Consumption of other energy includes the consumption of fossil fuels such as oil and gas. Companies further define the borders on the basis of which they calculate their energy consumption. They also define the extent to which the fuels produced in processes and possibly recoverable as energy are taken into consideration. Consumption proportionated to total production signals among other things changes in processes and production and improvement in energy efficiency.
Results
In 2022, electricity consumption and the consumption of other forms of energy by the companies committed to the Responsible Care programme amounted to 5.3 TWh and 14.9 TWh. In proportion to total production, the consumption of electricity and other forms of energy has increased 1% from 2021.
In 2022 at companies committed to Responsible Care programme, totally 0.95 kWh energy was consumed per one kg of production. As reference the corresponding figure in 1995 was 1.2 kWh per kilogram of production. Since 1995, energy consumption proportionated to total production has decreased by 20 %.
The majority of consumed electricity is bought from energy producers. In 2022, bought electricity accounted for around 83% of total electricity consumption, whereas around 25 % of other forms of consumed energy was bought from energy producers. Companies committed to the Responsible Care programme also build up energy in their processes. In many cases this energy was also sold to outside parties.
In 2022, totally 19% of consumed energy was produced by using renewable energy sources. From consumed electricity 51% and from other energy 8% was produced by using renewable energy sources.
In 2020, Finland’s total energy and electricity consumption amounted to some 360 TWh, which was down by 4,6% from 2019. The electricity consumption was 81.7 TWh, respectively. Around 41,7% of energy need was fulfilled by using renewable energy sources. *)
*) Source: Statistics Finland
Greenhouse gases
In 2022, greenhouse gas intensity of production by companies committed to Responsible Care was around 212 gCO2e per one kg of production. In 1999 it was around 310 g CO2e per one kg of production. The companies committed to Responsible Care programme have reduced the greenhouse gas emissions by 32% during monitoring era.
Definition
Emissions of greenhouse gases include not only actual process emissions, but also emissions from on-site power and steam generation. Additionally, indirect greenhouse gas emissions from the production of bought energy are calculated. Greenhouse gases affect global warming, and it is a global objective to reduce these emissions.
Other greenhouse gases than carbon dioxide are methane CH4, nitrous oxide emissions N20 and the fluorinated greenhouse gas HFC. In the greenhouse gas emission calculations methane and nitrous oxide emissions are converted to carbon dioxide equivalent kilos with the factors: for methane reported as CO2 and changed to CO2 by multiplying with a unique weight factor of 21 and for nitrous oxide reported as CO2 and changed to CO2 by multiplying with a unique weight factor of 310.
Results
In 2020, direct and indirect carbon dioxide emissions by the companies committed to the Responsible Care programme were some 4.5 million tonnes. The emissions are down 2,9% from 2019, (4.7 million tonnes) and compared to the volume of production, emissions decreased by 4,5%.
Around 79% of the emissions originate as direct greenhouse gas emissions from processes, while the remining 21% is indirect greenhouse gas emissions from bought energy production. In one hand the processes have been developed towards low-emission processes, while the major reason behind the decrease in the greenhouse gas emissions is the development of the energy sector towards low-emission processes. The major factor in 2022 is the increase of the bought renewable energy. 38 % (2021: 25%) of the bought energy is from renewable sources.
The direct carbon dioxide generated by the companies committed to Responsible Care were 3.4 million tons in 2022. (2021: 3.2 million tons). Increase from 2021 was around 6%.
Other greenhouse gas emissions than carbon dioxide were around 623 tons (2021: 899) (Methane CH4 75 tons and nitrous oxide N2O 548 tons). The emissions from other greenhouse gases than carbon dioxide, when calculated as CO2 equivalents, were together 0.17 million tons. This decreased by 34% from 2021 levels.
In 2022, greenhouse gas intensity of production of companies committed to Responsible Care was around 212 gCO2e per one kg of production, down 4,5% from 2021. This figure includes direct greenhouse gas emissions from production and on-site energy production and indirect fossil greenhouse gas emissions from purchased electricity and energy production. In year 1999 the number was 310 gCO2e per one kg of production.
By far the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Finland is the energy sector. At annual level total carbon dioxide emissions in Finland are around 47.9 million tonnes. *)
*) Statistics Finland – Suomen kasvihuonekaasupäästöt 2021
Air Emissions
Emissions to air have steadily decreased in chemical industry. The companies committed to Responsible Care programme have reduced their emissions of acidifying gases by 94% since 1988. Reduction in the emissions of volatile organic compounds has been 72% at the same time. Direct emissions of the greenhouse gases have decreased by 26% since 1999.
Definition
The air emission index is a sum of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and of air emissions with acidifying potential and global warming potential, all proportionated to the volume of production. Apart from emissions with global warming potential, for which the base year is 1999, the base year of the index is 1988.
The environmental impact of different types of emissions has been rendered commensurable by multiplying the emission with a unique weight factor, which describes the environmental impact of the emission in terms of a reference chemical.
Emissions with acidifying potential include sulphur compound emissions (reported as SO2 and changed to SO2 by multiplying with a unique weight factor of 1.00), nitrogen compound emissions (reported as NO2 and changed to SO2 by multiplying with a unique weight factor of 0.41) and ammonium emissions (reported as NH3 and changed to SO2 by multiplying with a unique weight factor of 1.3).*)
Emissions with global warming potential include carbon dioxide emissions (reported as CO2 and changed to CO2 by multiplying with a unique weight factor of 1.00), methane emissions (reported as CH4 and changed to CO2 by multiplying with a unique weight factor of 21) and nitrous oxide emissions (reported as N2O and changed to CO2 by multiplying with a unique weight factor of 310). VOC emissions are reported as total VOC. *)
Results
Air emissions with acidifying potential by the companies committed to the Responsible Care programme have decreased by 94% since 1988. This shows that the companies’ emission limitation efforts have been successful. Similar development can be seen in VOC emissions, which have decreased by 72% since 1988. In 2022 there was a slight increase in the VOC emissions.
Emissions with global warming potential (greenhouse gases) have been monitored in the chemical industry on a sectoral basis since 1999. This is the base year of the index for these emissions. The results show that direct greenhouse gas emission have decreased by 26% since 1999. In the same time, direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by 28% since 1999. Direct greenhouse gas emissions are CO2, CH4 and N20 emissions from production processes and on-site-energy-production, while indirect emissions include the emissions from the production of bought electricity and energy.
*) Source: VNCI Guideline Environmental Performance Indicators for the Chemical Industry
**) Source: Statistics Finland
Discharges to Water
Discharges to Water
Discharges to water in chemical industry decreased significantly during 1990s. Reduction in water discharges with eutrophication potential has been 55% and in potentially ecotoxic water discharges 80%.
Definition
The water discharge index includes water discharges with eutrophication potential and potentially ecotoxic water discharges, both proportionated to the volume of production. The base year of the index is 1988.
The environmental impact of different types of discharges has been rendered commensurable by multiplying the absolute amount with a unique weight factor, which describes the environmental impact of the discharge in terms of a reference chemical.
Discharges with eutrophication potential include discharges of phosphorus (changed to PO4 by multiplying with a unique weight factor of 3.06), nitrogen (changed to PO4 by multiplying with a unique weight factor of 0.42) and COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) (changed to PO4 by multiplying with a unique weight factor of 0.022). *)
Potentially ecotoxic discharges include the discharges of mercury (changed to 1,4-Dichlorobenzene with a unique weight factor of 316.97), cadmium (changed to 1,4-Dichlorobenzene with a unique weight factor of 289.43) and lead (changed to 1,4-Dichlorobenzene with a unique weight factor of 2.4). *)
Results
Since 1988, the companies committed to the Responsible Care programme have succeeded in reducing their water discharges with eutrophication potential by 55%. In 2022 the water discharges with eutrophication potential decreased by around 10% compared to 2021.
At their present level, discharges with eutrophication potential by the chemical industry as a whole are not significant in Finnish terms. The companies’ discharge reduction efforts have been beneficial throughout the review period, and in general the trend is downwards.
Similar and even more effective progress has been made in reducing potentially ecotoxic water discharges, which have decreased by 80% since 1988. In 2022 the amount of ecotoxic water discharges decreased by 22% compared to the previous year.
*) Source: VNCI Guideline Environmental Performance Indicators for the Chemical Industry
Discharge of Sulphates to Water
Definition
Discharges of sulphur compounds are measured and calculated as sulphate (SO42-), because most of the sulphur compounds ending up in water bodies are explicitly sulphates. High sulphate concentrations can damage the fish population and other aquatic organisms.
In the Responsible Care programme, wastewater effluents by the chemical industry have been measured and calculated from the wastewater led from plants directly to receiving waters or to community sewerage systems. This enables monitoring the impact on effluents by the companies’ own measures and the results being unaffected by the performance of municipal sewage treatment plants. Waste waters going through the sewerage system are treated by community wastewater treatment plants before being discharged into receiving waters, thereby substantially reducing the impact on water bodies.
Results
In 2022, sulphate discharges to water by the companies committed to the Responsible Care programme totaled about 72,000 tonnes, down by 3% from 2021. Since 1988, the amount of sulphate discharges in proportion to the volume of production has decreased by about 51%.
Discharge of Phosphorus to Water
Definition
Discharges of phosphorus compounds are measured and calculated as elemental phosphorus (P). Discharges of phosphorus compounds show in increased eutrophication and turbidness of waters as well as in algal growth.
In the Responsible Care programme, wastewater effluents by the chemical industry have been measured and calculated from the wastewater led from plants directly to receiving waters or to community sewerage systems. This enables monitoring the impact on effluents by the companies’ own measures and the results being unaffected by the performance of municipal sewage treatment plants. Waste waters going through the sewerage system are treated by community wastewater treatment plants before being discharged into receiving waters, thereby substantially reducing the impact on water bodies.
Results
In 2022, phosphorus discharges by the companies committed to the Responsible Care programme totalled around 12 tonnes, down 23% from 2021. In proportion to the volume of production, phosphorus discharges decreased by 24% from 2021. Since 1988 the phosphorus discharges in proportion to the volume of production have decreased by 72%.
Discharge of Nitrogen to Water
Definition
Discharges of nitrogen compounds are measured as elemental nitrogen (N). Discharges of nitrogen compounds show in increased eutrophication and turbidness of waters and in algal growth.
In the Responsible Care programme, wastewater effluents by the chemical industry have been measured and calculated from the wastewater led from the plants directly to receiving waters or to community sewerage systems. This enables monitoring impact on effluents by the companies’ own measures and the results being unaffected by the performance of municipal sewage treatment plants. Waste waters going through the sewerage system are treated by community wastewater treatment plants before being discharged into receiving waters, thereby substantially reducing the impact on water bodies.
Results
In 2022, total nitrogen discharges by the companies committed to the Responsible Care programme amounted to around 450 tonnes, down by around 8 % from 2021. In proportion to total production volume, nitrogen discharges have decreased by about 10% since 2021. Since 1988 the nitrogen discharges in proportion to the volume of production have decreased by 52%.
Near Miss Reporting
Definition
Near miss reporting and safety observations reporting was developed further in 2018. Companies were separately asked for information on both near miss situations as well as safety observations. Thus a more comprehensive picture was seen on the developments in the safety culture with a preventive approach.
Near miss reporting
Near miss reporting is a system which collects and evaluates data on potentially hazardous injuries and damages. Corrective actions are evaluated and implemented based on near miss reporting. Near miss reporting is an effective way of preventing injuries and damages.
Safety observations
Number of reported safety observations. Safety observations are observations in lack of physical environment or ways of doing, that might increase the risk for a work safety or process safety incident. Reported observations can also be positive observations for good conduct in physical environments or ways of doing.
Results
Near-miss-reporting or safety observations have been introduced in 94% of the companies committed to Responsible Care. 9,884 near-miss reports, and 40,695 safety observations were done in 2021. This means 2.5 reports per employee.
One of the most recent sings of a new safety culture is a national occupational safety card, which is rapidly becoming popular. In 2020, the card was in use in 68% of the companies committed to Responsible Care. In 2004 the card was in use in 30% of the companies committed to Responsible Care. I have no information regarding this HJ.
Lost Time Injuries Frequency Rate
Lost Time Injuries Frequency Rate
The continuous improvement of health and safety benefits in chemical industry. In 2020, a total of 3.0 lost time injuries per million man-hours worked (LTI3) occurred in the companies committed to the Responsible Care programme. Lost time injuries frequency rate decreased by 33 % since 2019. Since 1988 the lost time injuries have decreased by 93 %. The lost time injuries frequency rate is significantly lower than in other industries.
Definition
Lost time injury is an occupational injury to an employee resulting in at least three days’ absence from work in addition to the day of accident. Not included are sick leaves, fatalities or accidents occurred when commuting between home and work. The frequency rate is expressed as the number of injuries per million working hours. Employee refers to all company employees excluding the personnel of outside contractors.
Work hours lost refer to the amount of work hours lost due to injuries defined above, not including those due to fatalities or invalidity. Lost time injury frequency rate measures the level of occupational safety of a company and forecasts the likelihood of occurrence of actual process accidents. The number of work hours lost gives an indication of the severity of injuries.
Results
- In 2022, a total of 5.0 lost time injuries per million hours worked (LTI1) occurred in the companies committed to the Responsible Care programme. Lost time injuries frequency decreased by 15 % since 2021.
- Since 1999 the lost time injuries have decreased to 1/3.
- 35 % of the companies committed to the Responsible Care programme reported zero lost time injuries for employees.