BLOG
Powered for change 2025: Actions for chemical companies
Why chemicals matter in the net-zero transition
3-MINUTE READ
February 25, 2026
In brief
- Chemicals drive 7% of global emissions and shape the net-zero paths of major industries.
- Circular carbon markets could reach $330B by 2030, creating major growth potential for chemical companies.
- One off pilots won’t cut it—chemical companies need structured, long term actions to cut emissions.
Why chemicals matter in the net-zero transition
Every industry depends on chemical products—whether in manufacturing processes or as essential ingredients in their solutions. Decarbonizing the chemical sector is a linchpin for global sustainability. While chemicals alone account for 7% of global emissions, they also support the decarbonization agenda of downstream industries and bring innovative solutions to reduce emissions.
Our latest Powered for Change 2025 research marks a pivotal moment for the chemical industry to lead the global sustainability agenda. The research reveals that one-off pilots and isolated initiatives are not enough to decarbonize at the required pace, especially because chemical companies influence not only their own emissions, but also the carbon footprint of industries like automotive, construction and agriculture. A multigenerational approach is required to decarbonize heavy industry at scale, while also ensuring a financial benefit of doing so.
The circular carbon economy: A $330 billion opportunity by 2030
Transitioning to a circular carbon economy—where carbon is reused and recycled rather than eliminated—can dramatically reduce emissions while maintaining economic viability. Accenture research indicates the market could grow at ~11% CAGR from 2024–2030 and reach approximately $330 billion by 2030. Achieving this vision requires substantial investment and collaboration across the value chain, with policies focused on lowering the cost of material reuse and improving waste recovery.
The path forward
Decarbonizing the chemical industry is not just an environmental imperative—it’s a strategic opportunity to lead in sustainable materials, drive innovation and create lasting value for customers and communities. By embracing circularity, investing in innovation and building strong partnerships, chemical companies can power change for generations to come.
Three actions for multigenerational impact
To drive long-term sustainability, chemical companies must implement a structured and repeatable approach to reducing emissions. This involves conserving, shifting to alternative feedstocks (recycled/biobased), accelerating energy efficiency initiatives, implementing carbon capture solutions and diversifying energy supply. These actions not only support environmental goals but also stimulate job creation in material processing. By doing so, companies can improve their competitiveness, ensure compliance with evolving regulations and meet the increasing expectations of investors and customers for sustainable practices.
Innovation is essential to meet the rising global demand for sustainable solutions. Companies should invest in research and development focused on eco-friendly products and sustainable chemicals. By harnessing the power of digital technologies, data and artificial intelligence, they can accelerate the pace of innovation and unlock new revenue opportunities. Advanced analytics, in particular, can significantly improve R&D success rates—by as much as 70%—making innovation more efficient and impactful.
Collaboration across the value chain is critical to scaling sustainability efforts. Chemical companies should actively co-create with governments, raw material producers, customers (both brand owners and consumers) and technology partners. These partnerships can help secure consumer premiums and government incentives for sustainable products. Moreover, working together enables greater supply chain efficiency, especially when industrial clusters are leveraged to drive collective progress.