The End Game in European Chemicals
The European Chemical Industry is contracting and entering a critical phase of restructuring and consolidation.
Declining growth, massive, unprecedented overcapacities in the global market have already triggered steam cracker closure announcements.
Non-European players such as LyondellBasell, Dow, Huntsman et al are reviewing their European operations.
Carter Consulting provides independent advice and support on a tailor made basis to navigate the mine-field of European chemicals.
Carter Consulting
Supporting financial sponsors / investors, global Consulting companies and M&A players via Value Chain knowledge and analysis in petrochemicals & chemicals.
Active advisor and independent director in e.g. chemical recycling, bunker fuel terminalling...
30 years global experience at BASF, the world's leading chemical company: in Germany, Malaysia, USA, Portugal & UK.
Bilingual (English / German) and Dual National.
Independent advice in a tailor made approach.
Peak Europe
Deindustrialisation in Europe is gaining pace. New long term strategies are required to avoid the trap of commoditization. Imports have been trending up as a result of massive over-capacities in China, Middle East and increasingly the US. The Chinese strategy of self sufficiency is driving the pivot and exports.
The Tariff War has already led to a slow down in trade and demand.
Tariff Wars
The unprecedented US policy attack on the prevailing global trading system, the anchor of globalisation and the principle of comparative advantage, has changed the status quo. Confidence has been shattered.
Key US export streams such as ethane, propane, polyethylene (LD/HD) are under threat at a time when the US has to increase its exports due to its dependency on global markets.
The EU retaliatory measures could potentially lead to an increase in EU utilisation rates and an increase reliance on domestic supply..
Value Chains under pressure
Many value chains are under structural pressure starting at the steam cracker level.
Main downstream commodity polymers such as PE, PP, PVC face capacity reductions / consolidation as do engineering plastics (polyamides, PA 6 / PA 6,6 and their precursors e.g. caprolactam, adipic acid, hexamethylenediamine.
And fine and intermediate chemicals face the same threat e.g. vitamins, butanediol...)