Overview

• Production fell 3.8% from the previous quarter in Q2 and was down 3.1% year over year, confirming a renewed downturn.
• Sector revenue dropped 5.2% quarter over quarter to €52.2 billion and was 2.7% below last year, while producer prices slipped 0.6%.
• Domestic orders weakened further as key customers in autos and construction cut output and delayed chemical purchases.
• Foreign sales softened after early‑year frontloading to the United States in anticipation of possible tariffs boosted Q1 exports.
• The VCI kept its 2025 outlook of flat overall output, about a 2% decline in chemicals and roughly a 1% revenue drop to €221 billion, warning no near‑term turnaround is in sight.