Chemicals

Companies that produce industrial chemicals are essential to the world economy. They convert raw materials such as oil, natural gas, air, water, and minerals into thousands of different products. The rise of the modern chemical industry coincided with the start of the Industrial revolution in the 19th century.

During the later half of the 19th century there was a huge increase in both the variety and quantities of chemicals produced in Europe and North America.  Basic chemicals can be divided into the categories of Polymers, petrochemicals, intermediates, derivatives, basic chemicals, inorganic chemicals and fertilizers. Petrochemicals and intermediates are made from LPG, natural gas, and crude oil. The products produced from these sources are basic chemical compounds that are starting materials used to make many polymers, and specialty chemicals. Derivatives include synthetic rubber, surfactants, dyes, pigments, carbon black and resins. Inorganic chemicals include salt, chlorine, soda ash, acids, titanium dioxide and hydrogen peroxide. Fertilizers

include phosphates, ammonia, and potash.

The use of chemicals to make finished products can be divided into three major categories, Life Sciences, Specialty Chemicals and Consumer Products. Examples of Life Science products are pharmaceuticals, animal health products, vitamins, and pesticides which include herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. Specialty Chemicals include Adhesives, sealants, coatings, cleaning chemicals and catalysts. Consumer products include soaps, detergents, and cosmetics.