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Germany's chemicals sector sees signs of healing as demand gets

After a number of difficult years, some German chemicals makers saw signs of recovery in orders and volumes in the very first quarter, driven by the enhancing economic scenario and greater demand outside of Europe.

The market in Germany, Europe's biggest chemicals manufacturer, suffered heavily throughout 2023 due to high production costs and weak need in the middle of high inflation.

However some groups flagged growing need in the January-March quarter, with speciality chemicals maker Evonik reporting an increase in sales volumes for the first time in two years, and Wacker Chemie pounding profit expectations thanks to a boost in orders.

Potash and salt miner K+S said more powerful demand at the start of the year raised its probability of reaching the greater end of its 2024 guidance.

The photo that emerges for European chemicals following a. tough 2023 is of a grinding, regularly irregular. healing, Berenberg expert Sebastian Bray told in an. email.

Need ... appears to have enhanced to the point that I would. expect 2024 industry utilisation to rise well beyond the. approximated low-mid 70s percent that characterised much of 2023,. Bray added.

Germany's chemicals market association VCI raised its. outlook for the year on Wednesday, stating it expects production. volumes including pharmaceuticals to increase by 3.5%. It had. previously anticipated flat volumes with overall market sales set. to increase by 1.5%.

VCI stated development in the first quarter was driven primarily by. orders from non-European markets, led by China. It anticipates. German domestic orders to pick up a little in the second half of. the year.

The lobby's projection echoes the Ifo financial institute's. newest barometer for Germany's chemical industry, which enhanced. somewhat in April, with business expecting greater orders from. abroad and to expand production in the coming months.

From my point of view, the scenario is set to improve from. here on, based upon slowly increasing need in numerous sectors,. Warburg Research expert Oliver Schwarz stated.

(source: Reuters)