Oct
2025
While global trade disruptions and tariff realignments continue to reshape the chemicals landscape, the industry is expected to stabilize heading into 2026 as supply chains adapt and demand recovers. Despite near-term headwinds from inflation, interest rates and uneven end-market demand, long-term fundamentals remain solid supported by industrial investment, reshoring trends and growing specialty chemical applications across multiple sectors.
Strategic distributors are leading M&A activity, pursuing acquisitions to strengthen supplier access, expand regional reach, and diversify end markets. Private equity participation remains steady, targeting mid-market distributors with strong customer relationships and operational sophistication. Regional divergence persists, with North America maintaining its position as the most active and resilient market.
In our latest review of chemical and materials distribution trends, we unpack the key forces shaping M&A dynamics and market performance in the second half of 2025.
Read the report to:
- Explore how tariffs and trade realignment are influencing sourcing strategies, supplier networks and margin performance across the U.S., Europe and Asia.
- Understand how macroeconomic conditions like persistent inflation, high interest rates and energy cost disparities are shaping regional performance and demand outlooks.
- See which end markets, including construction, automotive and personal care, are driving growth or facing normalization after years of inflation-driven demand.
- Track recent leadership transitions, restructuring initiatives and emerging partnership models as companies adapt to evolving market and operational pressures.
- Review key M&A data and valuation trends, including the continued dominance of strategic buyers and opportunities emerging for well-capitalized consolidators.