Since 2015, imports have risen by €145 billion and exports by €273 billion, both at an average of around 6% a year. Exports of chemicals and related products to non-EU countries reached a new high in 2025, rising by 7% compared with 2024 (€563 billion), while imports also grew by 7%, from €324 billion to €348 billion.

Among Member States, the largest exporters to countries outside the EU were Germany (€130 billion), Ireland (€115 billion), Belgium (€60 billion), Italy (€56 billion) and France (€54 billion). The main extra-EU destinations were the United States (€206 billion), Switzerland (€76 billion), the United Kingdom (€48 billion), China (€32 billion) and Türkiye (€17 billion). On the import side, Germany was the largest importer from non-EU countries (€58 billion), followed by Italy (€48 billion), Belgium (€46 billion), the Netherlands (€44 billion) and Slovenia (€30 billion).

The figures use the Standard International Trade Classification, Revision 4, group “Chemicals and related products”, which covers organic and inorganic chemicals, dyeing and colouring materials, medical and pharmaceutical products, essential oils and perfume materials, fertilisers, plastics in primary and non-primary forms and other chemical products. This broad definition means that the totals include pharmaceuticals, fertilisers and plastics alongside industrial chemicals.

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