UK chemical supply chain businesses are continuing to face high operating costs, challenging trade conditions and ongoing uncertainty, according to the Chemical Business Association’s (CBA) latest Quarterly Chemical Supply Chain Trends Survey. 

The survey – which has provided valuable insight into the health of the sector for more than 14 years – is distributed to the Association’s extensive membership and gathers responses from manufacturers and distributors, transport and logistics companies, and service providers from across the UK’s chemical supply chain. The Q2 2026 findings paint a picture of a sector grappling with the cost and complexity of doing business in the UK. Rising operational costs, subdued demand, global disruption and continued uncertainty are combining to impact confidence, investment and growth across the chemical supply chain. 

“Logistics remains one of the most visible manifestations of these pressures.”

Logistics remains one of the most visible manifestations of these pressures. Escalating shipping costs impacted the majority of respondents, with 87% citing it as a critical concern. Nearly three quarters (73%) also experienced problems resulting from continued disruption to ocean freight, while the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz created further challenges. 

Reports of road haulage capacity issues increased significantly compared with the previous …