2017化学制品趋势（英文版）_12页

报告摘要

2017 Chemicals Industry Trends Summary

Core Content

The chemicals industry is navigating a challenging environment marked by low global economic growth, structural headwinds, and increased competition. The sector has been in a prolonged period of slow growth since 2007, with only two years of "high" growth in the past eight years. In 2016, the industry experienced an anemic 2.1% sales growth due to declining industrial production, inventory adjustments, and falling oil prices, which impacted petroleum-based product companies. However, naphtha-based producers saw profit margin improvements due to reduced material costs.

Main Points

Global Economic Slowdown: The global economy has not reached the 3.5% GDP growth average for 35 years, and the chemicals industry is not immune to this trend.
Market Challenges:
- U.S.: The new administration's pro-domestic policies may stimulate manufacturing but could harm international trade-dependent firms.
- Eurozone and UK: Monetary easing has not led to significant growth, and Brexit adds uncertainty.
- Middle East: Economic restructuring is underway, with a focus on diversification and localization to reduce fossil fuel dependence.
- China: Despite high GDP growth (6%), the shift to domestic consumption is causing margin pressures and slower end market growth.
Strategic Shifts: Companies must adapt to a new normal of hypercompetition and uncertainty, focusing on profitable growth through strategic actions.

Key Strategies for Growth

1. Capture Value Over Volume

Volume-driven growth is no longer viable due to market saturation and recycling trends.
Companies should focus on value capture through pricing excellence, customer segmentation, and differentiated service models.
Pricing excellence involves aligning prices with production and sales costs, and adjusting them based on performance. It can improve profitability by 2–5% of revenue.
Short-term benefits include revenue uplift and cost reduction, and it enables strategic pricing decisions.

2. Adopt Next-Generation Digitization

Digitization is becoming a key driver for operational efficiency, customer engagement, and organizational transformation.
Digital technologies in operations (e.g., maintenance systems) can reduce operating costs by 2–10% and increase capacity utilization by up to 25%.
In customer-facing operations, digitization allows for real-time monitoring, product optimization, and proactive service.
Machine learning and artificial intelligence help reduce costs and improve decision-making, enabling localized control and innovation.

3. Seek Portfolio Coherence

M&A activity in 2016 was high, with over 1,200 deals totaling $380 billion.
Companies need to ensure synergy realization from acquisitions and maintain coherent portfolios.
Divesting or spinning off non-core businesses can unlock shareholder value and reduce conglomerate discounts.
Examples include W.R. Grace, which split into two focused entities to improve value creation.

Conclusion

The chemicals industry is entering a new era of uncertainty, where profitable growth is more difficult to achieve. Companies must focus on value capture, digitization, and strategic portfolio management to thrive. These steps are essential to improve margins, enhance customer relationships, and navigate the complexities of global markets. Strategy& provides expert guidance and global insights to help companies transform and achieve sustainable growth.

Key Authors

Vijay Sarathy – Principal, PwC US, Boston
Peter Bertone – Principal, PwC US, DC
Dr. Joachim Rotering – Partner, PwC Strategy&, Düsseldorf
Marcus Morawietz – Partner, PwC Strategy&, Frankfurt
Jayant Gotpagar – Principal, PwC US, Houston
Jeremy Bebiak – Director, PwC US, Houston
Kenji Mitsui, Yorozu Tabata, Kaoru Nakamura – Partners, PwC Japan, Tokyo
Pamela Schlosser – Partner, PwC US, Toledo

These experts emphasize the importance of strategic adaptation, innovation, and operational excellence in the face of a challenging and evolving market landscape.

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