zeit.de
German Chemical Industry Stabilizes, but Full Recovery Remains Elusive
Germany's chemical and pharmaceutical industry experienced a slight decline in turnover (-0.5%) and production (-1%) in the first half of 2024, though the pharmaceutical sector showed growth; recovery is projected for 2025, dependent on political and economic factors.
- What is the current state of the German chemical and pharmaceutical industry, and what are the immediate consequences?
- The German chemical and pharmaceutical industry showed minimal decline in the first half of 2024, with a 0.5% decrease in turnover to €107 billion and a 1% drop in production. However, this represents a halt to the rapid decline of previous years, with companies expecting a recovery in 2025. Around 40% of member companies currently report a lack of orders.
- How did the pharmaceutical sector perform compared to the chemical sector during the first half of 2024, and what factors contributed to this difference?
- Despite the slight downturn, the pharmaceutical sector showed growth (2% increase in production), offsetting a 3% decrease in chemical production due to underutilized capacity. This stability is noteworthy, considering that major companies like BASF are closing plants. The industry's resilience is partly due to preemptive orders driven by concerns about US tariffs earlier in the year.
- What are the long-term prospects for the German chemical and pharmaceutical industry, considering political interventions and ongoing economic challenges?
- The industry's recovery is contingent on political action. The VCI president highlights a shift towards prioritizing competitiveness, resilience, and reducing bureaucracy in Germany and the EU. However, a full recovery isn't expected until 2025 at the earliest, with ongoing challenges from the US trade dispute and high energy prices.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the situation in a way that emphasizes the VCI's perspective and their hope for future improvement. The headline could be interpreted as slightly optimistic, suggesting a degree of stabilization even while acknowledging ongoing challenges. The inclusion of Steilemann's comments about political support and the positive impact of Trump's tariffs on the pharmaceutical sector influences the overall tone of the piece. This framing might not fully represent the concerns of all stakeholders within the industry.
Language Bias
The language used is relatively neutral, but certain phrases could be interpreted as subtly biased. For example, describing the industry's situation as "rasante Talfahrt" (rapid descent) and later "Dornröschenschlaf" (sleeping beauty) uses figurative language that adds a degree of subjective interpretation to the description of the industry's challenges. The phrase "Endlich scheinen Deutschland und Europa aus ihrem Dornröschenschlaf zu erwachen" (Finally, Germany and Europe seem to be awakening from their Sleeping Beauty sleep) is particularly evocative and leans toward a more positive interpretation. More neutral language could enhance objectivity.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses primarily on the perspective of the VCI and its president, Markus Steilemann. While it mentions concerns from around 40% of member companies facing order shortfalls and acknowledges BASF and Evonik's cost-cutting measures, it lacks diverse perspectives from other stakeholders, such as employees, consumers, or competitors. The impact of the industry's challenges on smaller chemical companies is not explicitly addressed. Omitting these perspectives could lead to an incomplete understanding of the industry's situation.
False Dichotomy
The article doesn't present a clear false dichotomy, but it could benefit from exploring the nuances of the situation beyond the simplistic 'crisis' and 'stabilization' framing. The challenges faced by the industry are multifaceted, involving energy prices, global trade, and internal restructuring. A more nuanced presentation would avoid oversimplifying these complex issues.
Gender Bias
The article does not exhibit overt gender bias. The focus is primarily on economic data and the statements of male executives. The absence of female voices in the reporting is notable, but without further information on the gender distribution within the VCI or the industry as a whole, it's difficult to definitively assess gender bias.
Sustainable Development Goals
The German chemical and pharmaceutical industry is experiencing a downturn, with minimal growth and some companies facing order shortfalls. This negatively impacts economic growth and potentially job security, despite the overall number of employees remaining stable for now. The article highlights concerns about the impact of US protectionism and high energy prices, further hindering economic progress. The mention of companies implementing cost-cutting measures, including potential job losses, reinforces the negative impact on employment and economic growth.