Ineos, a prominent chemical firm, has lodged multiple antidumping complaints concerning chemical imports into Europe. The company asserts that chemicals brought in from Asia, the Middle East, and the United States are sold at unreasonably low prices, severely undermining European manufacturers. This action is viewed as a reaction to the considerable rise in imports from China, which increased by 8% in the initial half of 2025, delivering carbon-intensive products to Europe at reduced prices without appropriate carbon pricing. Ineos has criticized the EU’s management of the issue, particularly regarding the EU–US trade agreement, which they contend has weakened Europe’s defenses against dumping.
The global supply of commodity chemicals, especially in Asia where production has significantly escalated, has outstripped demand. China represents 35% of global plastics production, far surpassing Europe. The European Commission is tasked with assessing and enforcing antidumping measures, yet its efficacy is questioned. In 2024, the EU launched a record number of antidumping investigations, but critics claim the responses, like tariffs, are insufficient to safeguard local industries.
Ineos pinpointed ten critical chemicals vital to various European sectors, highlighting their susceptibility due to low-cost imports. Although some antidumping tariffs have been implemented, Ineos and other experts argue these measures fall short. For example, European ABS producers suffered considerable losses, which a 3.7% antidumping duty from the EU hardly alleviated.
Chinese manufacturers frequently prioritize maintaining high operational rates, even if this leads to exporting goods at low prices, which is seen as strategic dumping. Analysts propose that antidumping measures may not have a significant long-term effect on domestic markets. Instead, new trade routes might emerge, reducing the intended protective impact of these tariffs.
The EU’s strategic initiatives and trade deals have also attracted scrutiny. The recent EU-US trade agreement reduced tariffs, potentially putting European chemical producers at a greater disadvantage. While the EU has outlined strategies to bolster its chemical sector, doubts persist regarding the ability of these plans to result in meaningful policy changes.
European manufacturers, encumbered by elevated production and feedstock costs, find it challenging to compete with counterparts in regions with lower costs and supportive governmental policies. As China and other emerging regions enhance their chemical production capabilities, the competitiveness of European industries faces increasing threats.
The allegations of dumping and the efficacy of existing countermeasures illustrate a broader conflict between safeguarding domestic industries and complying with international trade regulations. Some industry specialists advocate for broader tariffs on particular products rather than depending solely on antidumping inquiries.
Ultimately, the future of Europe’s chemical sector hinges on prompt and decisive measures from the EU. Without substantial alterations by 2026, there are concerns that additional European chemical plants may shut down, further diminishing the region’s market share and industrial capacity.