Cefic

Name

Cefic

Legal name

Cefic a.i.s.b.l. (European Chemical Industry Council)

Website

https://cefic.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Chemical Industry Trade Association

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Business Services, Nec (7389)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental, Climate & Sustainability Standards & Reporting Cooperation (BPADANAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Right-to-Know (EPCRA) & Emergency Planning Liaison Support (EUAHALAK)

Keywords

• Chemical industry trade association
• Industry advocacy services
• Sustainability programme frameworks
• Regulatory policy representation
• Membership based association

Headquarters

HQ city

Brussels

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Cefic generates revenue through membership fees from chemical companies and national federations. The association does not engage in commercial product sales or pricing matters.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cefic is the Brussels-based European chemical industry trade association that represents, advocates for, and supports the European chemical industry through policy representation, voluntary sustainability initiatives, and industry-wide coordination services. Its core offerings include the Responsible Care voluntary initiative (with its Management Framework, Security Code, and Self-Assessment Webtool), the SQAS safety and quality assessment scheme, the ICE three-level emergency response network, the LRI long-range research programme, the SusChem European Technology Platform, the ChemistryCan case-study platform, the Chemical Trends Report, the Closures & Investments Radar, the IC2050 carbon modelling tool, and the European Responsible Care Awards. Cefic also produces position papers, guidance documents (CSRD Handbook, Safe and Sustainable-by-Design), and policy advocacy aimed at EU institutions and member-state authorities.

Product overview

Cefic (European Chemical Industry Council) is a non-profit industry association serving as the forum for the EU chemical industry, not a software product company. Its offerings comprise voluntary industry initiatives, assessment schemes, emergency response networks, guidance frameworks, research programmes, market intelligence reports, and digital tools. The core portfolio includes: Responsible Care® (global safety and environmental initiative), SQAS (chemical logistics assessment scheme), ICE (chemical transport emergency response network), ChemistryCan (case study platform), Chemical Trends Reports (quarterly market intelligence), Closures & Investments Radar (industry data), Responsible Care Self-Assessment Webtool (digital benchmark tool), LRI and SusChem (research and technology platforms), European Responsible Care Awards (annual recognition programme), and The Carbon Managers IC2050 model (climate pathway tool). Supporting guidance covers Safe and Sustainable-by-Design, CSRD reporting, circular economy studies, and security codes. Cefic also publishes position papers on ETS reform, biomethane, recycling standards, and combined transport, and coordinates industry advocacy across 29 national federations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SQAS (Safety & Quality Assessment for Sustainability): Assessment scheme supporting safety, environmental, security and quality performance in chemical logistics and distribution.
• Responsible Care
• Chemistry Can
• ICE (Intervention in Chemical Transport Emergencies)
• Cefic LRI
• MAR-ICE

Products and services

• Responsible Care® programme Global voluntary initiative for safe chemicals management, product stewardship, and sustainable performance, with a CEO-level commitment mechanism and accompanying management framework, security code, and self-assessment tools. For chemical producers and their national associations worldwide.
• SQAS (Safety & Quality Assessment for Sustainability) Industry-standard assessment scheme for evaluating the safety, quality, and sustainability performance of logistics service providers, distributors, and chemical-company sites, with an accompanying assessor training programme. For chemical producers, logistics service providers, and their customers.
• ICE (International Chemical Environment) emergency response network Three-level (Transport, Industry, Plant) emergency response network providing 24/7 chemical-incident support across Europe, running for over 25 years. For chemical producers, transport operators, and emergency services.
• Responsible Care Self-Assessment Webtool Digital self-assessment tool that enables Responsible Care signatories to evaluate and report their performance against the Responsible Care Management Framework; available in 17 languages. For Responsible Care signatory companies.
• Responsible Care Management Framework Governance and management framework underpinning the Responsible Care initiative, setting out management-system requirements for safety, health, environment, and product stewardship. For Responsible Care signatory companies and national federations.
• IC2050 Carbon Managers modelling tool Industry modelling tool used to develop and analyse European chemicals decarbonisation scenarios towards 2050. For Cefic members, policymakers, and researchers.
• ChemistryCan case-study platform Public-facing platform presenting case studies of how chemistry and chemical products enable sustainability solutions across sectors such as energy, mobility, construction, and healthcare. For policymakers, educators, and the wider public.
• Chemical Trends Report Regular market-intelligence report tracking the production, trade, and price trends of the European chemical industry, based on Cefic's proprietary data collection. For Cefic members and policy stakeholders.
• Closures & Investments Radar Cefic data tool tracking plant closures, capacity rationalisation, and investment announcements across the European chemical industry, with a regular member newsletter. For Cefic members and policy stakeholders.
• LRI (Long-range Research Initiative) Cross-company research programme funding independent scientific research on the potential health and environmental effects of chemical substances, to inform industry risk assessment. For the European chemical industry and the wider scientific community.
• SusChem (European Technology Platform for Sustainable Chemistry) European Technology Platform that develops shared research and innovation priorities for the European chemical industry, coordinates public-private research and innovation investment, and runs the SusChem Young Chemists Award. For Cefic members, EU institutions, and the European R&D community.
• European Responsible Care Awards Annual awards programme recognising outstanding company and federation projects under the Responsible Care initiative, with categories covering safety, health, environment, and community engagement. For Responsible Care signatory companies and national federations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Chemical plant closures surged sixfold since 2022, with 37 Mt of capacity lost (9% of European production) and 20,000 direct jobs eliminated, plus 89,000 indirect jobs at risk
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• CEFLEXcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2026Cefic supports CEFLEX consortium that contributed to the development of EN18120 design for recyclability standards for flexible packaging. CEFLEX incorporated findings from its Designing for a Circular Economy (D4ACE) programme including testing data from over 600 packaging samples and 1,700 data points to support EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation implementation.
• Business Europe, CLECAT, ECTA, ESC, UIRRcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2026Six European industry organizations including Cefic released Joint Industry Position Paper calling for revision of Combined Transport Directive to address outdated definitions, fragmented national approaches, and legal uncertainty for cross-border operations.
• Roland BergercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 23 February 2026Cefic commissioned Roland Berger to prepare a report showing chemical plant closures in Europe have surged sixfold since 2022, with 37 Mt of capacity lost and 20,000 direct jobs eliminated. The report highlights alarming trends threatening the sector's long-term competitiveness.
• Global Impact Coalition (GIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIC brings together eight chemical companies (BASF, Covestro, LG Chem, LyondellBasell, Mitsubishi Chemical Group, SABIC, SUEZ, and Syensqo) plus automotive manufacturers Jaguar Land Rover and Valeo for automotive plastics circularity project. Cefic provides the framework and coordination for this pre-competitive collaboration.
• European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing (EPAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCefic actively supports the European Commission in developing the Roadmap towards phasing out animal testing through its long-standing engagement in EPAA. EPAA is a public-private partnership bringing together the European Commission and industry to accelerate development of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs).
• SusChemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSusChem, founded in 2004, is the European Technology Platform for Sustainable Chemistry. Cefic co-manages SusChem, which brings together industry, academia, and research institutions to drive sustainable chemistry innovation.
• BASF Site Emergency Response TeamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBASF Site Emergency Response Team collaborates with ICE (Cefic's Intervention in Chemical Transport Emergencies), ERCC under European Commission's DG ECHO, and Cefic for rapid response to chemical emergencies across Europe. This collaboration reinforces ICE's ability to respond effectively.
• Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerERCC under the European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations partners with ICE since March 2025 to strengthen cooperation for chemical emergency response across Europe.
• European Biogas AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCefic and European Biogas Association collaborate on biomethane initiatives including the Joint Biomethane Declaration and Biogas Tripartite Agreement to accelerate biomethane deployment for energy-intensive industries.
• Joint Biomethane Declaration signatoriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple industry associations signed Joint Biomethane Declaration calling for fast biomethane rollout to support competitiveness, energy security and climate transition. Cefic coordinated industry-wide call for policy support.
• E3G, Cleantech for Europe, Transport & EnvironmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry and civil society groups including Cefic sent open letter to EU Commission President von der Leyen and Council President Costa calling for new European Investment Facility to address €800 billion annual investment gap, with public financing needed for decarbonisation, defence, critical raw materials, and industrial modernisation.
• BASF, Covestro, LG Chem, LyondellBasell, Mitsubishi Chemical Group, SABIC, SUEZ, SyensqocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEight chemical companies participate in Global Impact Coalition (GIC) Automotive Plastics Circularity project, working with automotive manufacturers Jaguar Land Rover and Valeo, plus Siemens and Henkel, to process 100 end-of-life vehicles and establish commercially viable circular value chains.
• EMSA (European Maritime Safety Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICE collaborates with EMSA through the MAR-ICE scheme since 2008 to support emergency responders in chemical maritime incidents.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• American Chemistry Council (ACC): The US chemical industry trade association, ACC is the closest international peer to Cefic - representing chemical manufacturers in the US on regulatory advocacy, sustainability, and Responsible Care implementation. ACC operates the same Responsible Care® initiative in North America, making it a near-mirror peer.
• Verband der Chemischen Industrie (VCI): Germany's chemical industry association and Cefic's most influential national federation member. VCI represents the largest European chemical industry (BASF, Bayer, Covestro, Evonik, etc.) and operates parallel policy advocacy and sustainability programs in Germany.
• International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA): Global umbrella body for chemical industry associations chaired by Cefic's President (currently Markus Kamieth of BASF). ICCA coordinates Responsible Care globally and represents the industry at UN/SAICM and G7/G20 forums.
• France Chimie: French chemical industry federation and one of Cefic's 29 national federation members. France Chimie coordinates national Responsible Care implementation and policy advocacy for French chemical companies, winning a 2025 Responsible Care Award for climate adaptation guidance.
• Federchimica: Italian chemical industry federation and Cefic national federation member. Represents Italian chemical manufacturers on EU regulatory issues and coordinates domestic implementation of sustainability frameworks.
• Chemical Industries Association (CIA): UK chemical industry trade association and Cefic national federation member, representing chemical manufacturers in the UK on regulation, sustainability, and competitiveness post-Brexit.
• PlasticsEurope: European trade association for plastics manufacturers, covering a key Cefic sub-sector. PlasticsEurope collaborates with Cefic on circular economy, chemical recycling, and packaging regulations, sharing the same member companies and Brussels policy focus.
• Concawe: European petroleum refiners' environmental, health, and safety research association. Concawe is a Brussels-based scientific association serving a related industry segment with similar structure - member-funded, science-driven, focused on EU regulatory engagement.
• EuropaBio: European biotechnology industry association based in Brussels with similar advocacy, member-funded structure, and EU policy focus as Cefic. EuropaBio represents an adjacent industry (biotech) with overlapping members and shared sustainability/regulatory interests.

Others

• European Chemical Regions Network (ECRN): Network of European chemical-producing regions that collaborates with Cefic on regional industrial policy, site transitions, and Just Transition Fund implementation. Adjacent rather than directly competitive, operating at a sub-national governance level.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cefic
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Cefic1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cefic-european-chemical-industry-council

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cefic