In 2020, a total of 284 million tonnes of chemicals were produced in the EU, an increase of 1% compared with 2019. In the same year, consumption of these products reached 302 million tonnes, reflecting a similar 1% increase since 2019 (300 million tonnes). Data show that the COVID-19 pandemic had no visible effect in 2020 on either production or consumption.
This information comes from data released by Eurostat today. The article presents a handful of findings from the more detailed Statistics Explained article on chemicals production and consumption.
Last year, 221.4 million tonnes of chemicals hazardous to health were produced (4% more than in 2019), along with another 78.8 million tonnes of chemicals hazardous to the environment (-5% less compared with 2019). Please note that some product categories might be overlapping, resulting on a sum higher than the total production mentioned at the beginning.
Source dataset: env_chmhaz
In terms of consumption, in 2020, the total of chemicals hazardous to health consumed reached 230.1 million tonnes, 4% more than in 2019, while consumption of chemicals hazardous to the environment decreased by 2% to 79.8 million tonnes.
Looking back, both production and consumption of these products increased between 2004 and 2007 and suffered a drop during the financial crisis in 2008 and 2009. A rebound period followed in 2010, but after that, it remained stable, indicating that the COVID-19 had no visible impact.
Source dataset: env_chmhaz
For more information:
- Eurostat Statistics Explained article on chemicals production and consumption statistics
- Eurostat dedicated section on environment under hazardous substances
- Eurostat database on environment under chemicals
- Data for 2020 are based on a first estimate from PRODCOM.
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