In 2009, the French chemical industry was severely affected by an unprecedented global economic crisis. During the first quarter, businesses in the sector and those further downstream continued to clear stock reserves, resulting in a sharp decline in production. Stimulus packages launched by various governments, combined with sustained demand from emerging economies, particularly in Asia, led to the start of a recovery...

Following the regulation passed by the Constitutional Council, UIC (the French chemical industries association) warns against the risk of imposing “double penalties”, which would threaten the very existence of a large part of France’s chemical industry.