Verband der Chemischen Industrie e.V. (VCI)

Website:	http://www.vci.de
Email:	[email protected]

Street:	Mainzer Landstr. 55
ZIP/City:	60329 Frankfurt am Main
Country:	DEUTSCHLAND

Phone:	069/25560
Fax:	069/25561471

Geschäftsführer:	Herr Dr. Utz Tillmann

National circular economy strategy (www.polyformnext.de)

NKWS: Industry criticizes lack of commitment and market incentives

Industry and business associations reacted to the German government's action program for the National Circular Economy Strategy. The message: the goals are set correctly, but without stronger market mechanisms, clear rules and faster implementation, the transformation to a circular economy threatens to fall short of its potential.

Chemical industry 2026: Why the crisis continues

How deep is Germany's chemical industry really in crisis in 2026? After a weak start to the year, burdened by the conflict in the Middle East, high energy costs and global competitive pressure, the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) paints a picture of an industry under constant stress.

Why the crisis continues

How deep is Germany's chemical industry really in crisis in 2026? After a weak start to the year, burdened by the conflict in the Middle East, high energy costs and global competitive pressure, the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) paints a picture of an industry under constant stress.

Industry calls for more speed for Germany's recycling future

An alliance of the chemical, plastics and recycling industries is calling on the German government to provide a "transformation booster" for the circular economy. Against the backdrop of declining markets and increasing investment pressure, clear regulatory framework conditions and targeted industrial policy measures are being addressed.

Industrial electricity price is coming, VCI warns of limited effect

The EU Commission has approved the German industrial electricity price: Until the end of 2028, electricity costs for energy-intensive companies can be subsidized with 3.8 billion euros and capped at five cents per kilowatt hour. The VCI criticizes the relief effect as being too low.

Industrial electricity price is coming, VCI warns of limited effect

The EU Commission has approved the German industrial electricity price: Until the end of 2028, electricity costs for energy-intensive companies can be subsidized with 3.8 billion euros and capped at five cents per kilowatt hour. The VCI criticizes the relief effect as being too low.

Industry insists on reforms before EU Council

At the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, companies and associations called for concrete, measurable steps towards greater competitiveness in Europe. VDMA, VCI, Plastics Europe, ZVEI, BDI and VDA also called for speed in reducing bureaucracy, lower energy costs and warned against industrial policy foreclosure through "Buy European" requirements.

Industry insists on reforms before EU Council

At the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, companies and associations called for concrete, measurable steps towards greater competitiveness in Europe. VDMA, VCI, Plastics Europe, ZVEI, BDI and VDA also called for speed in reducing bureaucracy, lower energy costs and warned against industrial policy foreclosure through "Buy European" requirements.

Mercosur delay: harsh criticism from the associations

The EU Parliament's decision to refer the Mercosur agreement to the EU Court of Justice has also been met with massive criticism from the associations: it is an "industrial policy revelation", "completely incomprehensible" and a "bitter setback for Europe", according to the reactions of the VDMA, VCI, VDA and ZVEI.

Mercosur delay: Massive criticism from the associations

The EU Parliament's decision to refer the Mercosur agreement to the EU Court of Justice has also been met with massive criticism from the associations: it is an "industrial policy revelation", "completely incomprehensible" and a "bitter setback for Europe", according to the reactions of the VDMA, VCI, VDA and ZVEI.

Chemical recycling: study shows huge untapped potential

Germany is not exploiting its technical recycling potential for plastics; new chemical processes could close the gap. A study presented by the German Chemical Industry Association and Plastics Europe Deutschland shows why a clear legal framework is crucial for plants to move from pilot operation to industrial scale.

VCI warns of loss of substance: Industry calls for change of course

The German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) takes stock at the press conference: 2025 was a difficult year for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry with declining sales, low production capacity utilization and increasing uncertainty for jobs and locations.

German chemical industry in crisis: German Chemical Industry Association takes stock

The German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) takes stock at today's press conference: 2025 was a difficult year for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry with declining sales, low production capacity utilization and increasing uncertainty for jobs and locations.

Chemical and pharmaceutical industry slips further into crisis

The new quarterly report from the German Chemical Industry Association paints a gloomy picture: production, prices and sales of chemical and pharmaceutical companies continue to fall and capacities remain below the profitability threshold. Despite political countermeasures, there is no real turnaround.

Associations urge rapid reduction of bureaucracy in the EU

Nine leading business associations criticize the failure of Omnibus I in the European Parliament and call on the EU and the German government to swiftly implement the planned reduction in bureaucracy to ease the burden on companies.

Coalition agreement: between hope and disillusionment

In the view of industry associations, the new coalition agreement sends out important signals for reducing bureaucracy and investment - but key relief measures are coming too late. Between a spirit of optimism and disillusioned criticism, implementation remains the crucial bottleneck.

Coalition agreement: glimmer of hope with the handbrake on

In the view of industry associations, the new coalition agreement sends out important signals for reducing bureaucracy and investment - but key relief measures are coming too late. Between a spirit of optimism and disillusioned criticism, implementation remains the crucial bottleneck.

Europe's competitiveness needs swift action

With the Clean Industrial Deal, the EU Commission is focusing on greater competitiveness, lower energy costs and a reduction in bureaucracy. Plastics Europe and the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) welcome these steps, but warn that without decisive action, Europe is at risk of falling behind. The associations are calling for a strengthening of the industrial base, a more flexible energy policy and fewer bureaucratic hurdles - before it is too late.

Mini-growth in 2025 but no end to the dry spell

The German chemical and pharmaceutical industry is not very optimistic about 2025. Despite slight production growth of 0.5%, sales will remain virtually stagnant due to high prices and a weak order backlog. The industry is suffering from the weak economy and rising energy prices, while investments and innovations are being cut back.

Circular economy strategy: what the associations say

The Federal Cabinet adopted the national circular economy strategy this week - a step that is welcomed by industry associations, but also highlights the need for improvements. While the strategy recognizes the potential of recycling processes, experts are calling for more precise guidelines to make the circular economy competitive and drive innovation.

VCI: Industry sales fall - sentiment hits rock bottom

The German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) presents its quarterly report for the third quarter of 2024. The chemical-pharmaceutical industry suffered a severe setback here. The hoped-for recovery in demand for chemicals both in Germany and abroad failed to materialize.

Associations comment on Ursula von der Leyen's re-election

The wdk, VCI and VDMA associations congratulated von der Leyen on her re-election as EU Commission President. The election is a necessary sign of political stability in Europe. Above all, they are calling for an end to detailed regulations and excessive bureaucracy in the coming legislature, so that Europe does not fall further behind as a business location.

Business organizations call for a new start

Although the EU Supply Chain Directive pursues a correct and important goal, it is simply not feasible in practice for European companies. Eight business organizations, including VDMA and ZVEI, are calling for a new draft.

Industry associations reject EU supply chain directive

Although the EU Supply Chain Directive pursues a correct and important goal, it is simply not feasible in practice for European companies. Eight business organizations, including the VCI, VDMA and ZVEI, are calling for a new draft.

PED and VCI (www.polyformnext.de)

Associations support UN plastics agreement

The member states of the United Nations want to put an end to environmental pollution caused by plastic waste by 2040. Plastics Europe Germany and the German Chemical Industry Association welcome the continuation of negotiations on a global agreement on May 29 in Paris and support the overarching goal of strengthening the circular economy.

Position paper (www.polyformnext.de)

More chemical recycling through greater transparency

The German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) and the association of plastics producers Plastics Europe want to promote chemical recycling processes as a supplement to mechanical processes and create security for investments in these technologies. To this end, they have presented a position paper on the assessment of recycling content in plastic products.

Mood brightens, worries remain

The chemical-pharmaceutical industry continued its downward spiral in the fourth quarter of 2022. Production slumped further and capacities were underutilized, according to the VCI. Falling demand from industrial customers and declining producer prices led to a drop in turnover. By contrast, the outlook for the future has brightened somewhat.

Dark year with gloomy prospects

The chemical-pharmaceutical industry can look back on a particularly difficult year, characterized by the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the resulting energy crisis. According to the VCI, the outlook for 2023 also remains gloomy.

Markus Steilemann elected VCI President

Dr. Markus Steilemann is the new President of the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI). The members' meeting in Berlin voted for the Covestro CEO.

VCI warns: Germany faces competition problem

Prices for raw materials and energy have risen sharply in the first half of 2022, while production is barely growing. The VCI is now forecasting a 1.5% decline in the industry's production for the year as a whole - assuming a price-intensive but sufficient supply of energy and raw materials.

Burdens on the plastics industry likely to increase further

In response to the reduced gas supplies from Russia and the persistently high prices, the Federal Ministry of Economics has announced the second stage of the national gas emergency plan. The Plastics Europe and VCI associations commented on this.

Save all gas that can be replaced

The cuts in gas supplies by Russia are creating a new situation in Germany, emphasizes the German Chemical Industry Association. However, there are still no acute supply problems in the chemical-pharmaceutical industry.

VCI: "Oil embargo will not be a walk in the park"

The EU Commission has presented a further sanctions package with an embargo on Russian oil imports at its heart. The German Chemical Industry Association supports the boycott, but points out that the measure will not be a walk in the park, even with a lead time of several months.

Steilemann nominated as successor to VCI President Kullmann

The Executive Committee of the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) has nominated Dr. Markus Steilemann, CEO of Covestro, as a candidate to succeed the incumbent President Christian Kullmann.

VCI survey: industry expectations have been overturned

The chemical-pharmaceutical industry's hopes for a positive economic trend this year have come to an abrupt end with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. According to the VCI, the industry's expectations for the business outlook in 2022 from the beginning of the year were overturned within a few weeks.

VCI warns (www.materialfluss.de)

Short-term import ban on oil and gas could cause trouble

The German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) is emphatically renewing its warning about the massive consequences of a short-term ban on imports of oil and, in particular, gas from Russia for the value chains in Germany.

VCI warns of short-term import ban on oil and gas

The German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) has reiterated its warning about the massive consequences of a short-term ban on imports of oil and, in particular, gas from Russia for the value chains in Germany. The VCI supports the position of the German government to reduce dependence on Russian imports strategically, but not hastily.

UN agreement against plastic waste in the environment

A legally binding international agreement to combat plastic waste in the environment was launched at the United Nations (UN) Environment Assembly in Nairobi at the beginning of March 2022. The IK, VCI and PED associations are in favor of the agreement.

Dachser and VCI extend for another five years

Dachser Chem-Logistics and the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) celebrated two occasions at the start of the second edition of the Dangerous Goods & Hazardous Substances trade fair: the 10th anniversary of the purchasing cooperation and a contract extension for a further five years.

VCI, VDA, VDMA and ZVEI publish 5G position paper

The trade associations VCI, VDA, VDMA and ZVEI have published a joint position paper on 5G radio frequency allocation in which they advocate the local allocation of radio frequencies in the 3.6 MHz band to manufacturing industries.

Verband der Chemischen Industrie e.V. (VCI)

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