The chemical distribution business is a diverse industry that provides customized solutions for important sectors such as pharmaceuticals, paints & coatings, agriculture, cosmetics, food & feed, and automotive. At the center of the supply chains of these sectors, distributors are critical partners for global corporations as well as for SMEs. This role has become particularly obvious and relevant during the corona crisis. But distributors also face many challenges in the aftermath of the pandemic and the current political and economic environment.

CHEManager asked executives and industry experts to share their views on the prospects for the chemical distribution sector. We proposed to discuss the following aspects:

• What, in your opinion, are the most important lessons learned after two years of operating in a pandemic environment?
• What will be the most important short- and long-term challenges facing the sector?
• How do chemical distributors support the chemical industry on its path toward carbon neutrality?

Read the insightful answers of the experts here:

Thorsten Harke
President, Harke Group

Christian Kohlpaintner
CEO, Brenntag

Hans-Joachim Müller
Group CEO, Azelis

Robert Späth
Managing Partner, CSC Jäklechemie

Felix Thalmann
CEO, Büfa Group

Neville Prior
Group Chairman, Cornelius Group

Christopher Erbslöh
Managing Director, C.H. Erbslöh

Thomas Dassler
Managing Director, Häffner

Gerd Bergmann
Chairman of the Managing Board, Nordmann

Patrick Barthels and Hartmut Kunz
CSO and CFO, Oqema

Andreas Woschek
Executive Vice President Chemicals, Helm