1、REACTIONChemicals&Materials MagazineThirty-seventh editionKPMG I include:Global economic outlookBuilding teams,supporting diversityDecarbonizing the chemical industry in Europe and beyondAn ABC of ERP for chemical businessesForewordI was delighted to get a close-up view of the thoughts and preoccupa

2、tions of leaders from the chemical industry when I attended the Asia-Pacific Chemical CEO Forum in Singapore at the end of September.While attendees were primarily from Asia-Pacific,there were delegates from all around the world,giving a window into the mindset of the industry globally.Its fair to s

3、ay that the economic outlook is top of mind and a concern for everyone.It seems certain that we are set for a downturn or recession in most parts of the world,with no soft landing from current volatility and further interest rate rises likely as authorities battle to keep inflation down.This is born

4、e out in the recently published KPMG 2022 CEO Outlook,in which 86 percent of leaders believe there will be a recession in the next twelve months even if 58 percent expect it to be mild and short.In the US,interest rates are anticipated to top out at around 4.6 percent next year(from their current 33

5、.25 percent).1 A slowdown is expected in the States,but by 2024 conditions may be picking up again.In Asia-Pacific,it is China that dominates,and annual growth there looks set to miss targets for the first time,coming in at perhaps half of the 5.5 percent ambition.2 This is largely a function of the

6、 zero-COVID policy,which cuts industry productivity.If that policy were to be reversed,activity and growth could pick up quickly again.It is Europe that perhaps faces the longest potential slowdown,given its demand side and commodities problems that have been significantly exacerbated by the ongoing