Chemicals

Basic chemicals, or “commodity chemicals” include polymers (33% of basic chemicals), bulk petrochemicals and intermediates (about 30% of basic chemicals), other derivatives and basic industrials (20%), inorganic chemicals (12%), and fertilizers. Others categorize basic chemicals into petrochemicals, polymers and basic organic chemicals. Life sciences (about 30 percent of the dollar output of the chemistry business) include pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, animal health products, vitamins, and pesticides, and differentiated chemical and biological substances. Specialty chemicals are relatively high valued, rapidly growing products with diverse end product markets. Many companies in the US and Europe focus on this sector rather than basic chemicals because, with active research and development, specialty chemicals deliver higher and more stable profitability. Typical growth rates are one to three times GDP with prices over a dollar per pound. Products are sold for what they can do rather than for what chemicals they contain. Products include electronic chemicals, industrial gases, adhesives and sealants as well as coatings, industrial and institutional cleaning chemicals, and catalysts. Consumer products include direct product sale of chemicals such as soaps, detergents, and cosmetics.

Three of the largest seven chemical companies are US-based. The balance of these seven companies are headquartered in Germany, Saudi Arabia, China and the Netherlands. However, all of these companies have manufacturing locations in multiple countries. 

Priority Metrics Group has worked with leading companies in virtually all sectors of the chemical industry, and our projects have been used to develop strategy, assess markets, and identify prospective customers. PMG has deep understanding of market growth and marketing strategy that leading companies use to develop and defend their competitive advantage.