<p>The UK chemical industry needs more swift and powerful regulatory support to save it from further erosion as production falls by more than half compared to 2021 levels. <br><br></p><p>-          25 UK chemicals closures since 2021, country now only has one cracker</p><p>-          Massive social impact of closures, often in deprived areas</p><p>-          UK no longer produces some critical chemicals</p><p>-          Lost UK chemical production could reach 55-60% from 2021 levels</p><p>-          UK needs much more powerful government policy shift to save industry</p><p>-          UK chemicals sees toughest business environment for many years</p><p>-          Slight pick up expected in 2026</p><p>-          For 2026, chemicals output forecast to contract in US, tepid growth in Europe, China</p><p>-          India forecast 7% in chemicals output for 2026</p><p>-          More protection needed against China, which has moved up the chemicals value chain and subsidises production<br><br>In this ICIS Think Tank podcast,<strong> Will Beacham</strong> interviews <strong>Stephen Elliott</strong>, CEO of the UK Chemical Industries Association and ICIS market development director <strong>John Richardson.</strong></p>