Decline in 2008 heralds more severe outlook for 2009

摘要

Cefic,the European Chemical Industry Council,expects output in the chemical industry(excluding pharmaceuticals)to decline by 0.6% in 2008.The downward trend will continue in the coming months.Expectations for 2009 are relatively more severe with a negative growth of 1.3%.For the first time since 2003,the EU chemicals industry's output(without pharmaceuticals)experienced negative growth in 2008.After a modest start in the first quarter,output has declined in the course of the year,especially since the third quarter.