New Delhi [India], December 19 (ANI): In a forecast that underscores challenges for the global chemical industry, Fitch Ratings predicts that weak demand and surplus supply will persist, keeping volumes and margins subdued for chemical producers in 2024. Despite overall anticipation of soft demand in North America, Fitch emphasizes that issuers' end-market exposures will play a pivotal role in influencing earnings. European chemical producers face challenges due to higher regional energy costs, despite some moderation since 2022. Fitch expects a mild recovery in China's demand as destocking concludes, but the recovery is hampered by slowing economic growth. As chemical companies navigate these challenges, the industry faces a complex landscape with regional nuances and global economic dynamics influencing their trajectory in 2024.

Source: The North Africa Journal December 19, 2023 07:22 UTC