All Business Survey articles

  • parliament  (9)
    News

    Chemical industry welcomes Jackdaw decision as vital step towards strengthening UK energy security

    2026-10-21T10:12:00Z

    The Chemical Industries Association (CIA) has welcomed the UK Government’s decision to approve the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea, describing it as an important step towards strengthening the UK’s energy security and supporting the competitiveness of energy-intensive manufacturing. With high industrial energy costs continuing to place pressure on domestic production and investment, the Association says the decision highlights the need for a broader industrial energy strategy that ensures reliable and affordable supplies while supporting the long-term resilience, growth and decarbonisation of the UK chemical sector.

  • parliament  (8)
    News

    Q3 2026 CIA Business Survey: Factories under pressure, UK chemical industry warns of deepening manufacturing decline

    2026-10-19T09:01:00Z

    The latest business survey from the Chemical Industries Association (CIA) highlights the growing pressures facing a strategically important foundation industry, as rising energy costs, weakening demand and mounting investment challenges continue to undermine UK competitiveness. With chemical production forecast to decline further and almost half of businesses reporting cuts to production or operating activity during the third quarter, the results raise fresh concerns about the UK’s ability to attract investment, support industrial growth and deliver its reindustrialisation ambitions.

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    News

    Q2 2026 CIA Business Survey: “Reindustrialisation” can’t come quickly enough

    2026-07-24T08:20:00Z

    The latest business survey from the Chemical Industries Association (CIA) highlights a sector still under severe strain, with persistently high UK energy costs and widening policy‑driven disadvantages delaying or derailing vital investment. Despite signs of demand recovery, chemical businesses face a year‑long trade deficit and mounting competitive pressure, deepening concerns ...

  • Positon statement images  (15)
    News

    Q1 2026 CIA Business Survey: Dramatic change of policy direction needed to save Britain’s chemical industry

    2026-04-22T09:46:00Z

    The latest business survey from the Chemical Industries Association (CIA) exposes a sector facing unprecedented pressure, with soaring energy, raw material and trade‑related costs pushing many UK chemical businesses to the brink. Already contending with long‑standing competitive disadvantages at home, the industry is now being hit by global instability and ...

  • Chemical industry facilities
    News

    Q4 2025 CIA Business Survey: UK chemical sector faces further factory closures

    2026-02-09T16:07:00Z

    Figures released by the Chemical Industries Association (CIA) show a sector under mounting strain, with the latest business survey pointing to continued weak demand, falling employment and the growing likelihood of further site closures. The findings underline the deep challenges facing the UK’s chemical industry as it enters ...

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    News

    Chemical industry warns current cost of energy is barring the way to Net Zero

    2025-04-24T15:29:00Z

    Latest CIA Business Survey reports energy costs reaching 400% higher than in the United States and 150% above the European Union — leaving UK businesses paying 200% more than they did prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Q2 2024 (1)
    Economic Reports

    CIA Economic Report: Second Quarter 2024

    Q2 2024 was the second consecutive quarter of expansion after 18 months of contractions. Challenges remain for the sector including the cost of energy and the price of raw materials, both of which are up to four times more expensive than competitor countries.

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    News

    CIA Business Survey: Top manufacturing exporter has turned the corner

    2024-07-18T12:45:00Z

    Figures released by the CIA indicate sustained growth for Q2 2024, building on the positive performance seen in the first three months of the year. This marks a significant recovery following 18 months of severe decline.

  • Q1 2024
    Economic Reports

    CIA Economic Report: First Quarter 2024

    Q1 2024 was the first quarter of expansion in 18 months. Sales, production levels, and capacity utilisation expanded for 50% of respondents and were all above expectations made in Q4 2023. 

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    News

    Britain’s chemical industry continues to fight economic challenges

    2024-02-13T17:49:00Z

    Chemical companies across the UK are continuing to face difficult trading conditions. In the latest survey of member companies of the Chemical Industries Association, over 50 different businesses reported a sixth consecutive quarter of contraction.

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    News

    Fourth Quarter: CIA Economic Report 2024

    2024-02-12T18:19:00Z

    The CIA released the latest economic report looking at the topics discussed by members in addition to the economic performance of the prior quarter and forecasts for the future.