Europe's chemical makers catch a break as Iran war hits Asian rivals

Supply disruptions from the Iran war have temporarily eased competitive pressure from Asian chemical producers, prompting customers to prioritise reliability and shift orders to regional suppliers. European chemicals groups including Lanxess, Evonik, Solvay and BASF report rising volumes since March and firmer sales in April, driven more by improved regional supply-chain resilience than stockpiling. Executives warn the boost is likely short‑lived, with higher energy, raw material and logistics costs and the potential for Asian competition to rebound once shipping stabilises. Market impact: a near‑term positive for European chemicals exposure and regional equity indices (e.g., Europe 50), but the outlook remains cautious and gains may fade if supply routes normalise.