France industrial production index: chemicals (CE)
France industrial production index: chemicals (CE) stood at 91.22 in Aug 2026, according to INSEE – Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques (BDM). It is one of the indicators in the Industrial production and turnover table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 1990 to Aug 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Industrial production and turnover table
| Indicator | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products (NAF rev. 2, level A38, item CE) | 91.22 | 87.22 | 89.74 | 91.76 | 94.4 | 94.14 | 92.94 | 92.95 | 90.67 | 91.63 | |
| Manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations (NAF rev. 2, level A38, item CF) | 121.07 | 122.84 | 120.9 | 121.24 | 116.81 | 118.96 | 116.41 | 115.14 | 119.78 | 113.55 | |
| Manufacture of rubber and plastics products, and other non-metallic mineral products (NAF rev. 2, level A38, item CG) | 82.02 | 84.17 | 85.32 | 85.97 | 87.31 | 86.67 | 84.43 | 86.68 | 86.67 | 85.66 |
Understanding france industrial production index: chemicals (CE)
Isolating the transformation of organic and inorganic raw materials into chemical substances, this measure tracks the real physical output of basic chemicals, fertilizers, plastics, and synthetic rubber within the broader manufacturing sector. The calculation covers establishments dedicated to petrochemical refining, industrial gas production, coloring agents, and synthetic fibers, while excluding downstream formulated consumer products like cosmetics and pharmaceuticals which fall under separate classifications. Compared with aggregate industrial indices that blend unrelated sectors such as automotive assembly or metallurgy, this series targets a highly energy-intensive and capital-sensitive segment prone to distinct supply chain dynamics, feedstock price volatility, and specialized capacity utilization constraints.
Interpreting the index requires accounting for standard seasonal adjustments that smooth out annual maintenance shutdowns typically occurring during summer months, alongside routine statistical revisions applied as late survey responses arrive from reporting enterprises. Because chemical processing relies heavily on continuous-flow operations, short-term disruptions in precursor supplies or regional utility restrictions can create sharp monthly volatility that may not reflect underlying structural demand. Analysts should prioritize period-on-period comparisons to capture immediate momentum while relying on longer-term averages to filter out transient weather impacts or scheduled plant overhauls. Cross-sector comparisons with energy or downstream manufacturing require caution, as divergent input cost exposures mean chemical output often diverges significantly from headline industrial trends.
Frequently asked questions
- What types of production are captured within this chemical manufacturing index?
- The series includes basic industrial chemicals, fertilizers, plastics in primary forms, synthetic rubber, and industrial gases.
- How does this chemical sector index differ from pharmaceutical production measures?
- Basic chemicals and industrial compounds are tracked here, whereas medicinal chemicals and pharmaceutical preparations are classified under a separate industrial heading.
- Why might this series show high month-to-month volatility compared to consumer goods?
- Energy-intensive continuous processing makes the sector particularly sensitive to feedstock availability, utility costs, and scheduled heavy maintenance outages.