53 CHEMICALS KNOWLEDGE HUB Issue 1 / July 2025 INNOVATION & TRENDS Confidence remains high A full 85% of respondents report moderate to high confidence in their outlook—proof that the sector is not only steady, but well-prepared to deliver on its growth strategies. How would you describe your company’s overall business performance in the first half of 2025? Performance snapshot: growth accelerates as strategic bets pay off More than half of companies surveyed reported growth in the first half of 2025—a clear step forward from the stability-focused sentiment observed in our earlier Pulse Polls. Twenty-two percent experienced moderate growth, and another 19% exceeded 5% revenue gains, marking a positive inflection point for much of the sector. This momentum builds on strategic groundwork laid in 2024—leaner inventories, recalibrated procurement, and a sharper focus on customer alignment. Compared to early-year responses, firms now report stronger footing and greater commercial agility, with growth more frequently linked to deliberate choices rather than fortunate conditions. That said, performance differences across the market reveal valuable insights. While not all companies saw growth, the data highlights the growing advantage of those with agile supply chains, diversified customer bases, and adaptable strategies. In today’s environment, it’s clear that speed, resilience, and strategic alignment are setting leaders apart—a trend that continues to define success in the specialty chemical sector. Rather than framing the first half of 2025 as a test of survival, these findings point to something more constructive: a moment of market separation, where firms investing in responsiveness and positioning are beginning to pull ahead. And for SOCMA members, progress is both measurable and motivating. Looking forward to the second half of 2025, how do you expect your company’s overall performance to trend? Outlook for Q2 2025: from stabilization to strategic acceleration Expectations for the second half of 2025 reflect a clear rise in confidence —a notable shift from the uncertainty expressed in early-year Pulse results. Nearly 60% of respondents now anticipate growth, with 20% forecasting strong gains. This uptick signals more than optimism; it points to a sector actively reshaping its future. Compared to the first half of the year—where nearly 40% of companies expected some degree of contraction—the decline outlook has eased to just Graph 1. Graph 2.
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