Top 10 Chemical Manufacturing Companies in the World

From the production of plastics to pharmaceuticals, fertilizer, and more, chemical manufacturing companies play a vital role in our everyday lives. But which companies are leading the way in the industry? In this article, we will examine the top 10 chemical manufacturing companies in the world, based on their revenue and market share. With a closer look at these companies and their successes, we can gain a better understanding of the industry as a whole.

Chemical manufacturers are key players in providing the necessary components for research, innovations, and production. To help you find the best of the best, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 chemical manufacturing companies in the world as below:

1. BASF SE
2. Dow Inc
3. Saudi Basic Industries Corp
4. LyondellBasell Industries NV
5. Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corp
6. 3M Company
7. Linde Plc
8. Air Liquide SA
9. Dupont
10. LG Chemical

1. BASF SE  

Type of business:  Chemical manufacturer, Chemical factory

Location: 100 Park Avenue Florham Park, NJ 07932, USA

Year founded: 1865

Annual Revenue ($M): 92,938

BASF is one of the world’s largest chemical companies and a leader in essential raw materials. The company operates in various industries and markets, offering a diverse portfolio of products and services. Some of their main product categories and business areas include:

Chemicals: BASF produces many chemicals, including petrochemicals, intermediates, inorganic chemicals, and specialties. These chemicals are used in automotive, construction, agriculture, and consumer goods industries.

Plastics: BASF is a major plastics producer, including engineering plastics, styrenics, and polyurethanes. These materials are used in various applications, including automotive parts, packaging, and construction materials.

Performance products: This segment includes coatings, catalysts, and oilfield chemicals. BASF’s performance products are used in various industries, including automotive, electronics, and construction.

Functional materials and solutions: BASF produces a range of materials and solutions, including crop protection products, water treatment chemicals, and leather chemicals. These products are used in agriculture, mining, and construction.

Agricultural solutions: BASF’s agricultural solutions segment produces a wide range of products, including crop protection products, seeds, and biotechnology solutions. These products help farmers improve crop yields and protect against pests and diseases.

Oil and gas: BASF’s oil and gas segment provides a range of products and services for the oil and gas industry, including catalysts, additives, and chemicals for drilling and production.

2. Dow Inc    

Type of business: Chemical manufacturer, Fine chemical supplier

Location: Midland, Michigan, U.S

Year founded: 1897

Annual Revenue ($M): 59,744

Dow Inc. is an American multinational chemical company with a diverse portfolio of products and services. The company operates in several industries and markets, offering various products. Some of their main product categories and business areas include:

1. Performance Materials and Coatings: Dow produces various materials and coatings, including adhesives, sealants, elastomers, and resins. These products are used in construction, automotive, packaging, and consumer goods.
2. Industrial Intermediates and Infrastructure: This segment includes chlor-alkali and derivatives, polyurethanes, and epoxy resins. These products are used in various automotive, construction, and electronics applications.
3. Packaging and Specialty Plastics: Dow produces a range of packaging and specialty plastics, including polyethylene, polypropylene, and other specialty materials. These materials are used in various applications, including food packaging, medical devices, and automotive components.
4. Performance Silicones: This segment includes sealants, adhesives, and other silicone materials. These products are used in construction, electronics, and personal care industries.
5. Agricultural Sciences: Dow’s agricultural sciences segment produces various products, including seeds, crop protection products, and biotechnology solutions. These products help farmers improve crop yields and protect against pests and disease.
6. Hydrocarbons and Energy: Dow’s hydrocarbons and energy segment provides a range of products and services for the oil and gas industry, including solvents, glycols, and other chemicals used in drilling and production.

3. Saudi Basic Industries Corp    

Type of business: Chemical manufacturer, Chemical supplier

Location: P.O. Box 5101 Riyadh 11422 – Saudi Arabia

Year founded: 1976

Annual Revenue ($M): 46,682

Saudi Basic Industries Corp, also known as SABIC, is a Saudi Arabian multinational chemical manufacturing company that produces a wide range of products. SABIC is one of the largest petrochemical companies in the world and has a diverse portfolio of products and services. Some of their main product categories and business areas include:

1. Petrochemicals: SABIC produces many petrochemical products, including ethylene, propylene, polyethylene, polypropylene, and other basic chemicals. These products are used in construction, automotive, and packaging industries.
2. Chemicals and intermediates: This segment includes products such as methanol, glycol, and other chemicals used in various industries.
3. Fertilizers: SABIC produces a range of fertilizers, including urea and ammonia, used in agriculture.
4. Metals: SABIC produces a range of metals, including steel and aluminum, used in construction and automotive industries.
5. Specialties: SABIC produces various specialty products, including engineering plastics, resins, and compounds. These products are used in healthcare, electronics, and transportation industries.

4. LyondellBasell Industries NV    

Type of business: Chemical manufacturer, Chemical supplier in UK

Location: Carrington Works, Urmston, Manchester, M31 4AJ, United Kingdom

Year founded: 2007

Annual Revenue ($M): 46,173

LyondellBasell Industries NV is a leading international chemical manufacturer, committed to producing a wide range of products to meet the needs of multiple industries. With a history rooted in the energy, chemical and plastics industries, LyondellBasell has grown to become one of the largest chemical companies in the world.

Some of their main product categories and business areas include:

1. Olefins and Polyolefins: LyondellBasell produces many olefins and polyolefins, including polyethylene, polypropylene, and other basic chemicals. These products are used in construction, automotive, and packaging industries.
2. Advanced Polymer Solutions: This segment includes engineering plastics, elastomers, and adhesives. These products are used in healthcare, electronics, and transportation industries.
3. Intermediates and Derivatives: This segment includes acetyls, ethylene oxide and derivatives, and other chemicals used in various industries.
4. Refining: LyondellBasell’s refining segment produces gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other refined products.
5. Technology: LyondellBasell also provides technology services to other companies in the chemical industry, including licensing its proprietary technologies for producing various chemical products.

5. Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corp    

Type of business: Chemical manufacturer, Chemical supplier in Japan

Location: Chiyoda City, Tokyo, Japan

Year founded: 2005

Annual Revenue ($M): 35,405

Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corp is a Japanese multinational chemical manufacturing company that produces a wide range of industrial chemical products. The company operates in several business segments, offering a diverse portfolio of products and services. Some of their main product categories and business areas include:

1. Performance Products: This segment includes engineering plastics, films, and fibers. These products are used in automotive, electronics, and packaging industries.
2. Health Care: Mitsubishi Chemical produces a range of products for the healthcare industry, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and diagnostics.
3. Industrial Materials: This segment includes chemicals, carbon fibers, and synthetic rubber. These products are used in various industries, including automotive and construction.
4. Chemicals: Mitsubishi Chemical produces a range of basic chemicals, including methanol, formalin, and hydrogen peroxide. These products are used in various industries, including agriculture and water treatment.
5. Polymers: Mitsubishi Chemical produces a range of polymers, including polyethylene and polypropylene, used in industries such as packaging and construction.

6. 3M  

Type of business: Chemical manufacturer, Fine chemical company

Location: 2501 Hudson Rd, Maplewood, MN 55144, United States

Year founded: 1902

Annual Revenue ($M): 35,355

3M Company, also known as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation that produces various products for various industries. The company operates in several business segments, offering a diverse portfolio of products and services.

3M’s expansive portfolio includes thousands of products across multiple divisions, including adhesives, abrasives, consumer products, electronics, energy, healthcare, industrial, safety, and transportation. 3M is also one of the world’s leading producers of specialty chemicals and materials, including advanced polymers, protective coatings, and other performance-enhancing chemicals. 

Some of their main product categories and business areas include:

1. Safety and Industrial: This segment includes personal protective equipment, fall protection equipment, adhesives and tapes. These products are used in automotive, construction, and healthcare industries.
2. Transportation and Electronics: 3M produces various products for the transportation and electronics industries, including automotive coatings, electronic circuits, and display films.
3. Health Care: 3M produces a range of products for the healthcare industry, including medical tapes, surgical drapes, and infection prevention solutions.
4. Consumer: This segment includes products such as Scotch tape, Post-it notes, and Command hooks. These products are used in various consumer applications.
5. Energy: 3M produces various products for the energy industry, including wind turbine blades, solar panels, and insulation solutions.

7. Linde plc  

Type of business: Chemical manufacturer, Chemical Company 

Location: Forge, 43 Church Street West, Guildford, GU216HT

Year founded: 1879

Annual Revenue ($M): 33,360

Linde plc is a multinational chemical company that produces and supplies industrial gases and related equipment, technologies, and services. The company operates in several business segments, offering a diverse portfolio of products and services. Some of their main product categories and business areas include:

1. Gases and Applications: Linde produces a wide range of gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and hydrogen, which are used in various industries such as healthcare, food, and beverage, and electronics.
2. Engineering: This segment includes cryogenic freezing and chilling equipment, storage tanks, and gas generators.
3. Healthcare: Linde provides a range of products and services to the healthcare industry, including medical gases, respiratory care products, and related services.
4. Electronics: Linde provides gases and related services for the electronics industry, including semiconductor and photovoltaic manufacturing.
5. Chemicals: This segment includes products such as hydrogen cyanide, acetylene, and other specialty gases used in various industries.

8. Air Liquide SA  

Type of business: Chemical manufacturer, Chemical Company 

Location: 6 Rue Cognacq Jay Paris, 75007 France

Year founded: 1902

Annual Revenue ($M): 27,592

Air Liquide SA is a French multinational company that specializes in industrial gases and services for industry, health, and the environment. The company was founded in 1902 and is headquartered in Paris, France. Air Liquide operates in over 80 countries and has a workforce of approximately 67,000 employees.

Air Liquide’s portfolio includes a range of products and services for various industries, including:

1. Gases for industrial and medical use: Oxygen, Nitrogen, Hydrogen, Argon, Carbon Dioxide, Helium, Acetylene, and Specialty gases.
2. Gas equipment and services: Gas supply systems, gas mixers, gas regulators, and gas generators.
3. Healthcare: Medical gases, home healthcare services, hygiene products, and medical equipment.
4. Energy and environment: Hydrogen energy, carbon capture, and utilization, biogas production, and treatment, among others.
5. Electronics: High-purity gases, chemical and materials, equipment and services for the semiconductor, display, and photovoltaic industries.

9. Dupont   

Type of business: Chemical manufacturer, Fine chemical company

Location: 2520 Barrington Court Hayward, California 94545, USA

Year founded: 1802

Annual Revenue ($M): 21,500

DuPont, also known as E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, is an American multinational corporation that specializes in a variety of products and services in the chemical, agriculture, and materials sectors. The company was founded in 1802 and is headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware.

DuPont’s portfolio includes a wide range of products and services, including:

1. Chemicals: Industrial chemicals, fluoro products, and specialty chemicals
2. Materials: High-performance materials, plastics, and packaging solutions
3. Electronics and Imaging: Advanced materials, displays, and electronic materials
4. Nutrition and Biosciences: Enzymes, probiotics, food ingredients, and animal nutrition
5. Transportation and Advanced Polymers: Automotive materials, safety solutions, and advanced fibers
6. Safety and Construction: Protective garments, construction materials, and building envelope solutions.

10. LG Chemical   

Type of business: Chemical manufacturer, Chemical supplier

Location: LG Twin Towers,128, Yeoui-daero, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Year founded: 1947

Annual Revenue ($M): 24,900

LG Chemical is a South Korean multinational company that specializes in the production of chemicals and materials for a variety of industries, including electronics, automotive, energy, and healthcare. The company was founded in 1947 and is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.

LG Chemical’s portfolio includes a range of products and services, including:

1. Petrochemicals: Ethylene, propylene, and butadiene
2. Advanced Materials: Polycarbonate, ABS, SAN, MMA, and specialty materials
3. Energy Solutions: Lithium-ion batteries, energy storage systems, and photovoltaic materials
4. Life Sciences: APIs, fine chemicals, and agricultural chemicals.

LG Chemical’s primary products are:

1. Batteries: LG Chem produces lithium-ion batteries for various applications, including electric vehicles, mobile devices, and energy storage systems.
2. Polymers: The company produces a range of polymers, including ABS, SAN, polycarbonate, and MMA for use in the automotive, electronics, and consumer goods industries.
3. OLED Materials: LG Chem produces OLED materials, including light-emitting materials, injection layers, and encapsulation materials, for use in displays and lighting applications.

What do chemical manufacturers do?

Chemical manufacturers are responsible for the production, research, and commercialization of chemicals and chemical products. They develop new compounds and technologies to create more effective processes and products, as well as monitor existing ones to ensure safety and regulatory compliance. 

Additionally, they analyze research data in order to pinpoint ways in which new products or processes can be improved. Chemical manufacturers also work closely with clients to understand their needs and develop the best solutions to meet these requirements. This may involve creating customized formulations or working on new applications for their products. 

Finally, chemical manufacturers must adhere to all relevant environmental laws when producing products or disposing of hazardous waste materials.

How to choose a chemical supplier?

Choosing a chemical supplier can be an important decision in a laboratory, manufacturing plant or other facilities where chemicals are used as part of daily operations. There is much to consider when choosing a chemical supplier, and it is important to find one that will meet all your needs while providing reliable service. 

The first step in choosing a chemical supplier is to determine what types of chemicals you need. Not all suppliers offer the same range of products, so depending on your needs, you may have to look for more than one supplier. You should also consider any special requirements you have for shipping and handling certain chemicals. Some suppliers may not offer this service or may charge additional fees for it, so make sure these details are taken into account before making a final choice.

Once you have determined your needs, research potential suppliers online or through trade magazines or industry events related to the chemicals you need. Make sure that any potential suppliers have good reputations and track records within their respective industries and that they are certified by relevant authorities such as OSHA and EPA if necessary. Additionally, check customer reviews and ratings from past customers in order to get an idea of what kind of service they provide. 

Additionally, price is often an important consideration when selecting a chemical supplier. Get quotes from multiple suppliers to compare prices and services offered by each option. Pay attention to the quality assurance measures each supplier takes with their products – cheap prices do not always mean high-quality products, so make sure that the price reflects actual quality standards too. Finally, inquire about delivery times and return policies just in case something goes wrong during transport or use of the chemicals purchased from them. 

By taking these steps when selecting a chemical supplier, you can be sure that you find one who meets all your requirements while providing reliable service at fair prices.

Conclusion

In conclusion, chemical manufacturing companies are a major contributor to the global economy and an integral part of many people’s lives. The top 10 chemical manufacturing companies in the world are at the forefront of innovation, making important contributions to the industry, and setting the stage for the future of the chemical industry. These companies are poised to continue to be major players in the chemical industry, and their future success will be integral to the success of the global economy.