Aug 11, 2025
Chemical sourcing from China is undergoing a significant shift, driven by changing trade policies and the re-routing of global supply chains. For European buyers, this change brings both opportunities for competitive pricing and challenges around compliance, quality, and trust.
How Chemical Sourcing from China Is Reshaping Europe’s Supply Chains
China’s chemical industry has long been export-driven. But recent changes in international trade policy are accelerating a re-routing of Chinese exports toward Europe. Tariff increases in other major markets have narrowed opportunities elsewhere, prompting Chinese exporters to look more actively at Europe as a growth market.
Trade data shows a clear uptick in shipments of basic organic chemicals to Europe over the past year. Key products driving this growth include:
- Acetic acid
- Formaldehyde derivatives
- TDI/MDI precursors (used in polyurethane production)
This reflects a broader structural shift: as some trade routes contract, others expand, and Europe is becoming a focal point for redirected global chemical flows.
The EU Market: Opening Without Overexposure
European chemical imports have grown notably in recent months, with Chinese producers playing a central role in filling supply gaps. For European buyers, this has translated into greater access to competitively priced goods, especially in categories like polymers, solvents, and specialty intermediates.
Several factors are driving this momentum:
- Large-scale production capacity
- Lower energy costs
- Supportive export measures and efficient port logistics
At the same time, European importers remain focused on compliance and resilience. This isn’t about replacing European production, it’s about augmenting it through smart, globally balanced sourcing.
Strategic Levers and Long-Term Shifts
China’s trade approach remains highly strategic. While export momentum is encouraged, there is also a readiness to adjust supply levers for strategic purposes — as seen in recent restrictions on certain critical materials.
Although these measures have not directly affected mainstream chemicals, they highlight the increasing complexity of cross-border sourcing. The global feedstock landscape also remains sensitive to policy changes, reinforcing the need for agile sourcing strategies that can adapt to shifts in pricing, logistics, and regulations.
For European buyers, this environment underscores the need for agility: sourcing strategies must remain responsive to shifts in policy, pricing, and global logistics.
CheMondis: Your Bridge to Verified Chemical Suppliers in China
At CheMondis, we connect European buyers directly to verified Chinese manufacturers. Our procurement solutions ensure every supplier is vetted for compliance, documentation readiness, and production capabilities.
With our platform, you can:
- Access trusted suppliers for chemical sourcing from China without compromising EU standards
- Diversify your sourcing while reducing risks
- Stay in control of specifications, documentation, and communication
Looking Ahead
The increase in Chinese chemical exports to Europe is more than a response to U.S. tariffs, it’s a marker of a new era in global trade alignment. Rather than viewing this as a zero-sum shift, European companies have an opportunity to make their sourcing smarter, more resilient, and more globally informed.
This doesn’t mean “choosing China”; it means using global options intelligently. With trusted infrastructure, careful supplier qualification, and transparent documentation, companies can future-proof their sourcing.
CheMondis is here to help buyers navigate this complexity. We believe the future of sourcing isn’t about closing borders, it’s about opening the right ones, at the right time, with the right partners.
Aug 7, 2025
How Coatings Manufacturers are Reinventing Their Supply Chains
Coatings industry supply chain challenges have intensified over the past years, with raw material shortages and logistics issues disrupting production across the sector. A delay or shortage of just one material can create a ripple effect.
Shortages lead to price increases. This raises manufacturing costs and makes it tough for businesses to compete. The coatings industry faces challenges. However, new technology and better supply chain strategies bring hope.
Unpacking the Raw Material Crisis in the Coatings Industry
Before we look at solutions, let’s examine the factors behind the raw materials crisis. This issue affects the entire billion-dollar industry in many ways:
- Global supply chain disruptions from the pandemic: The pandemic caused a two-year crisis. The number of raw material producers decreased, leading to higher prices and longer lead times. Recovery has been slow, with other factors complicating the situation.
- Petrochemical price volatility: The price of petrochemicals, essential for many coatings, has fluctuated due to inflation, shortages, and rising demand. This makes sourcing these materials more challenging and costly.
- Geopolitical conflict: The Russian-Ukrainian war disrupted the supply of titanium feedstocks and other materials, worsening inflation. Conflicts in the Middle East have also interrupted vital shipping routes for the chemical industry.
- Regulatory and environmental challenges: Sustainability efforts have caused some chemicals to be banned or limited. Manufacturers are moving to eco-friendly options. But they often struggle to find the right alternative raw materials. This is especially true with demand on the rise.
Emerging Strategies to Navigate Supply Chain Disruptions
Here are key strategies for coatings manufacturers to tackle the raw materials crisis:
- Diversify supplier networks: Having multiple suppliers reduces the risk of shortages. If one supplier faces a delay, others can step in.
- Nearshoring: By sourcing materials closer to home, manufacturers can respond faster to disruptions, reducing reliance on distant suppliers.
- Real-time visibility: Technologies like IoT devices and AI can improve supply chain visibility. They help manufacturers track performance, spot delays early, and minimize the impact of shortages.
- Embracing sustainability: Staying compliant with environmental regulations is crucial. Focusing on sustainability helps maintain resilience against disruptions.
The Role of Technology in Reinventing Supply Chain Operations
Technologies like IoT and GPS trackers provide real-time data and insights. AI systems analyze this data, transforming supply chain operations. They enhance visibility for coatings manufacturers, allowing quicker responses to disruptions.
This technology helps with routing and transport planning. It cuts fuel costs and speeds up delivery times. Solving the materials shortage is tough, but using new technologies in supply chain management is crucial.
How CheMondis Supports Coatings Procurement Teams
Navigating today’s coatings industry supply chain challenges has intensified over the past years, with raw material shortages and logistics issues disrupting production across the sector. Requires more than reactive sourcing; it demands smarter supplier selection, faster decision-making, and greater supply chain transparency.
At CheMondis, we help procurement teams in the coatings industry secure the right raw materials with confidence. Our Procurement Discovery service gives you structured access to verified chemical manufacturers across Europe, China, and beyond.
Jul 29, 2025
The year 2025 marks a significant turning point for chemical compliance in the European paints and coatings industry. For years, raw material challenges in the coatings industry have disrupted production, driven up costs, and strained supply chains. Now, with tightening rules around PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), microplastics, and biocides, procurement teams are facing a new kind of complexity that goes well beyond pricing and availability.
Why Regulatory Pressure Is Increasing in the Coatings Industry
For years, PFAS and microplastic ingredients have been widely used in high-performance coating formulations for their durability, water-repellency, and other desirable properties. However, the regulatory landscape in Europe is changing.
The European Union is actively phasing out entire classes of PFAS, including lesser-known compounds such as trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), which is critical in some industrial and protective coatings.
At the same time, new rules targeting intentionally added microplastics under REACH, as well as stricter restrictions on certain biocides, are compelling formulators to rethink their raw material choices and move toward more sustainable alternatives.
What Buyers of the Coatings Industry Need to Consider
For procurement professionals, this shift means that purchasing decisions now involve more than just negotiating costs and lead times. Buyers should consider:
- Identifying suppliers who comply with REACH and the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) and can provide transparent, up-to-date documentation.
- Evaluating materials not only for current compliance but also for their likelihood of facing future restrictions.
- Seeking alternatives to PFAS- and microplastic-based ingredients that still meet technical and performance standards.
- Balancing the need for compliance against the commercial and technical risks of reformulating products prematurely.
Why CheMondis
At CheMondis, we understand the complexity of the coatings industry’s supply chain, and we help you navigate it.
Our Procurement Discovery Service connects buyers with verified, compliant suppliers, offering a diverse and global network so you can mitigate risk and maintain production schedules. We also help you discover tested and sustainable alternatives when regulatory changes or shortages disrupt your current materials.
With CheMondis, you gain transparency, flexibility, and access to a reliable supplier base that meets both your performance and compliance needs.
Moving Toward Compliance-Driven Sourcing
Compliance is no longer simply a regulatory checkbox; it is now a critical element of sourcing strategy. The evolving rules around PFAS, microplastics, and biocides require buyers to adopt greater visibility, documentation rigor, and flexibility within their supply chains.
By staying informed about regulatory developments, maintaining clear communication with suppliers, and proactively identifying alternatives, procurement teams can mitigate risks and keep production on track in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.
Jul 29, 2025
New Deadlines Put Pressure on Manufacturers
The EU cosmetics ingredient ban has introduced two significant deadlines that require cosmetics and personal care manufacturers to reformulate affected products quickly or risk their removal from the market. The updated regulations ban and restrict certain ingredients, placing additional pressure on supply chains, R&D teams, and production planning.
Two Key Compliance Dates for the EU Cosmetics Ban
By September 1, 2025, all products containing newly classified CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic) substances must be removed from the EU market, as mandated by Omnibus Act VII (adopted in 2024). Additionally, a second deadline follows on May 1, 2026, when products that exceed newly proposed limits or include additional banned ingredients under the draft Omnibus Act VIII (published in 2025) must also be withdrawn. Therefore, together, these deadlines give companies just 12 to 18 months to review formulations, source compliant alternatives, and bring updated products to market in response to the EU cosmetics ingredient ban.
Why Reformulation Is Challenging
However, updating formulations is not as simple as swapping one ingredient for another. Manufacturers face several challenges:
- Technical complexity: Finding alternatives that deliver the same performance is difficult.
- Safety and testing: Reformulated products must go through full safety and stability testing, followed by regulatory notification and updated labeling.
- Supply constraints: As all manufacturers seek the same approved alternatives, demand spikes, causing longer lead times for compliant ingredients.
- Production planning: Reformulation often requires production trials, line adjustments, and coordination with packaging and logistics partners.
How CheMondis Supports Your Next Moves
To stay ahead of the upcoming regulatory deadlines, manufacturers should act now by auditing their product portfolios, identifying affected formulations, and engaging with suppliers early to secure compliant alternatives. Therefore, prioritizing high‑volume or strategic SKUs for reformulation, planning for updated safety testing and labeling, and monitoring the final regulatory texts are all key steps.
CheMondis supports this process by providing a transparent, efficient matrix where buyers can quickly find and compare compliant raw materials from verified suppliers, access up-to-date documentation, and secure the ingredients they need without delays. By preparing early and leveraging CheMondis’ trusted network, companies can mitigate risks. Therefore, avoid supply chain bottlenecks and maintain business continuity as regulations take effect.
Takeaway: Start Today to Stay Compliant
The EU’s updated ingredient bans create clear compliance deadlines that manufacturers cannot afford to ignore. Starting the reformulation process now is essential to minimize risks, control costs, and maintain customer confidence. Start with CheMondis to stay ahead of the curve.
CheMondis will continue to monitor these regulatory changes and share insights to help buyers and suppliers navigate this transition.
Jun 17, 2025
Navigating Global Shifts in Chemical Sourcing
The global trade landscape is evolving rapidly, especially between Europe and China. Recent U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods have disrupted global supply chains, pushing Chinese exports toward Europe and altering trade flows in the chemical industry. Then, a freshly negotiated 90‑day truce paused reciprocal duties earlier this month. For European R&D departments, procurement professionals, and distributors, this transition presents both challenges and critical opportunities.
How Global Trade Shifts Impact Chemical Sourcing
During the tariff peak, Chinese exporters shifted focus to Europe, a pattern the EU continues to balance today. By 2019, Europe had become a larger importer of Chinese goods than the U.S., creating a competitive edge for European Buyers seeking cost-effective raw materials and chemical intermediates. But while Buyers may benefit from better prices, European chemical producers must navigate increased pressure to remain competitive.
European policy has adopted a “de-risking” strategy rather than complete decoupling. The goal: reduce dependence on any single source, especially for critical materials. Europe currently imports over 90% of certain pharmaceutical and specialty chemical inputs from China. This heavy reliance underlines the importance of smart, diversified sourcing.
Why Europe Still Leads in Chemical R&D and Manufacturing
Despite China’s dominance in foundational raw material production, Europe continues to lead in high-quality, compliant, and innovative manufacturing. The European chemical industry is globally respected for its strict safety regulations, research excellence, and sustainability initiatives.
European manufacturers add value by transforming base materials into advanced specialty chemicals and life sciences formulations. This division of labor strengthens the supply chain, combining cost-efficiency from China with European precision and compliance under frameworks like REACH.
Sourcing Verified Raw Materials: Risk or Opportunity?
European Buyers cannot afford to compromise on quality. Materials sourced from abroad must meet the EU’s strict standards. Strategic sourcing from verified partners allows companies to:
- Cut costs on base chemicals without lowering product quality
- Increase supply chain resilience through diversification
- Meet regulatory requirements (e.g., REACH compliance)
- Focus internal resources on high-value innovation
This balanced sourcing model empowers R&D and procurement teams to support innovation while remaining budget-conscious and competitive.
Ensuring Quality and Transparency with CheMondis
Navigating global sourcing requires trust and verification. How can Buyers be sure that a supplier halfway around the world meets their standards? CheMondis addresses this concern by providing a platform where every Supplier goes through a verification process. We connect European Buyers directly with thoroughly Verified Chinese Suppliers. All documentation (from material safety data sheets to certifications) is readily available, and communication is streamlined. This level of supply chain transparency and accountability helps avoid the pitfalls that can come with international trade.
Moreover, CheMondis enables efficient collaboration by simplifying logistics and communication. The platform lets buyers easily compare offers from different Suppliers, making informed decisions based on cost, quality, and lead times. By aggregating trusted Suppliers in one place, CheMondis saves Buyers the time and risk of searching on their own. Hence, diversifying your sourcing strategy becomes much easier – many of our users discover new, reliable Suppliers (locally or globally) that they wouldn’t have connected to otherwise. Whether you are looking to source a specialty polymer from a European producer or a bulk ingredient from an Asian manufacturer, our Marketplace ensures that quality, compliance, and reliability are non-negotiable in every deal.
Navigating the Future: Partner with Confidence
In a world of shifting tariffs and evolving trade alliances, European Buyers don’t have to choose between supporting local industry and benefiting from global markets; a smart strategy allows for both. By staying informed and using trusted platforms, businesses can adapt to changes like the Europe–China trade realignment and even turn them into advantages.
CheMondis is here to support you in this journey. Reach out to CheMondis today. Our team is ready to help you navigate the complexities of international chemical sourcing with confidence. Contact us to learn how we can connect you with the right Suppliers and reinforce your supply chain for the future. Moreover, together, let’s embrace the opportunities of a changing trade environment while keeping your business secure and competitive.
