AbstractWhat are the chances for the equipment manufacturers with the worldwide investments of the chemical industry? For years now the investment of the chemical industry in Germany is stagnant. A change of this situation for the near future cannot be expected. The export of plant equipment however has been increased considerably since the oil crisis. The chances as well as the risks of the equipment manufacturers as far as the worldwide investment of the chemical industry is concerned are being investigated. In particular this study deals with the situation in the developing countries, poor as well as rich in raw materials, in the Comecon countries and in the industrial countries. Furthermore the possibilities of exporting plant equipment, directly or via engineering companies or production of this equipment abroad are discussed.