Chemical industry in Germany

The chemical industry in Germany is one of the most well-established in the world, and a world leader; a quarter of the chemicals made in the EU, are made in Germany.

Currently the German industry, turning over 160 billion euros is the European leader, and the third-biggest in the world. It is Germany's third-largest industry, after Germany's much-renowned automotive industry, and its mechanical engineering industry. The largest German chemical company is BASF, turning over 59 billion euros in 2020, with around 110,000 workers.

History
Before World War II, the German chemical industry was the European leader.

After World War II, the industry was not making any amount of organic chemicals, but by the mid-1950s, the West German industry was making around a third of the output of organic chemicals as the UK.

Exports
By 1960 West Germany was exporting 40% more chemicals than the UK, according to the British Productivity Council.



West Germany

 * 1956 £1,300m
 * 1957 £1,450m

Energy consumption
The chemical industry consumes around 8% of Germany's energy, with 15% of Germany's natural gas, and 10% of Germany's electricity.

Workforce
There are 450,000 workers in the industry, with 400,000 workers for foreign subsidiaries of German chemical companies.