ForeverChemicals” are finally GettingFired.
By Dr. Anju Sharma | MrsSustainability | KtalystInsights
The chemical industry isn’t just in a downcycle; it’s reallocating value from bulk tonnage new chemistries.
ReshapingChemicalTrends 2025–2035
1) Downcycle With a Data Trail
ChemicalTrends Downcycle
✓ Global chemical production growth is ~1.9% for 2025 and ~2% in 2026 – a structural downcycle, not a V-shaped recovery.
✓ Credit outlook is “deteriorating” on tariff uncertainty and weak demand, yet specialty margins remain structurally above commodities.
🔎 Insight: This cycle prices old portfolios down and new chemistries up.
2)AsiaTilt NamasteIndia
✓ Across Asia (China, Korea, Japan, ASEAN), growth clusters around higher-value chemistries for EVs, solar, electronics & advanced materials.
✓ India holds ~3.5% of global chemical value chains, with a roadmap to $1T output & ~12% GVC share by 2040.
✓ India’s production is set to grow ~6–11% annually in 2025–26 via PLI, PCPIR, FDI and strong domestic demand, with specialties driving profit, not just volume.
🔎 Insight: Asia is the growth region; India is the marginregion
3)BannedPFAS
✓ PFAS in textiles, packaging, cookware, foams & coatings face unprecedented regulatory squeeze.
✓ 3M exits all PFAS by end-2025, turning ~$1.3B in net PFAS sales to zero; BASF & others target full PFAS phase-out by ~2028.
🔎 Insight: Banned PFAS is no longer a compliance slide; it’s a multi-billion-dollar vacancy on the P&L.
4) NextGenSurfactants
✓ US/ EU’s PFAS phase-out & 40+ mapped alternatives hard-code a rising demand curve for PFAS-free chemistries. PFAS won’t be replaced by one magic molecule, but by a basket of fluorine-free hydrocarbon, silicone/ bio-based surfactants, repellents and barrier polymers tuned to each application.
🔎 Insight: PFAS-free surfactants, repellents, barrier coatings & processing aids are converging into a $10B+ replacement market by 2030, with regulation as built-in demand.
5) BioBased
✓ Bio-based chemicals are projected to reach ≈$208B by 2032, at ~9–10% CAGR from the mid-2020s.
✓ Many bio-routes deliver ~40–70% lower lifecycle GHG versus fossil baselines, with Europe holding >60% of the bio-based chemicals market.
🔎 Insight: Bio-based stops being a “green premium”, becomes the default route.
6) BatterySemiconductor & AISupplyChains pulls specialities
✓ Specialties make up roughly a quarter of global chemicals, with superior margins & critical roles in EVs, chips & AI data centres.
✓ Next-gen batteries (Li–S, Na-ion, silicon-rich anodes, organic electrodes), power electronics need high-spec salts, solvents, binders & coatings all specialty-heavy.
🔎 Insight: Every new gigafactory or AI data centre is effectively a specialty-chemicals contract, not just a power or hardware story.
When policy bans a molecule, average companies fight the rule.
Smart companies reinvent the value chain.” Dr. Anju Sharma
ChemicalTrends BioBasedChemicals PFASFree
Originally published on LinkedIn on 2025-11-28 10:43:15: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn%3Ali%3AgroupPost%3A82951-7400122096183398400
