Since the beginning of the 20th century the chemical industry has formed one of the most important branches of the German economy. Its chemical exports hold a good position in the world market, accounting for nearly 30 of the international trade in chemicals. After the two World Wars, and especially at the end of World War Ⅱ, the German chemical industry nearly collapsed because of the regulations on the dismantling of factories, prohibitions on production and research, confiscation of patents and trademarks, and similar measures imposed. However, after the division of the two Germanies, the Federal Republic recovered remarkably from 1949 on, aided by favourable economic conditions.
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