Chemicals, Coatings & Plastics OVERVIEW
Plastics comprise a branch of petrochemicals—that is, chemicals refined from petroleum and natural gas.
(Although a small amount of bioplastics is now being produced from plants such as corn.) Coatings, which include paints, are chemical concoctions.
Technically, the chemicals industry includes the manufacture of pharmaceuticals (drugs).
The global chemicals industry will total about $4.8 trillion in revenues in 2020, according to Plunkett Research estimates.
(About $1.3 trillion of that number will be in pharmaceuticals.) Other everyday chemicals products include fertilizers, dyes, fibers, packaging, adhesives and explosives, among many, many others.
Among the more visible end products are PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipe for plumbing and other purposes, plastic bottles and other food containers, vinyl window frames, flooring and carpeting made from vinyl and other synthetics, as well as clothing of all types made from synthetic fabrics. This is a research-based industry that requires massive capital expenditures on the production end.
For example, BASF, the world's largest chemical firm, has 10,000 research personnel worldwide.
While the firm is based in Germany, its R&D labs are spread around the globe, including major facilities in the U.S.
in Florham Park, New Jersey (its North American headquarters), Research Triangle, North Carolina (where it
Industry Overview Video
WE PROFILE HUNDREDS OF TOP COMPANIES:
- Abbott Laboratories
- Abeona Therapeutics Inc
- Insmed Incorporated
- Air Products and Chemicals Inc
- Akorn Inc
- Akzo Nobel NV
- Omni Nutraceuticals Inc
- Albemarle Corporation
- Alcon Inc
- Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc