# The Periodic Table of Chemicals

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/

117 chemicals, from acids and alkalis to polymers and specialty products: how each is made, from what, where, and why its margins cycle.

## Commodity chemicals · Acids & alkalis

- [Sulphuric acid](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/sulphuric_acid/): Most produced industrial acid, made by burning sulphur, for fertiliser and metal leaching
- [Nitric acid](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/nitric_acid/): Strong acid oxidised from ammonia, the route to ammonium nitrate and explosives
- [Hydrochloric acid](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/hydrochloric_acid/): Cheap by-product acid of chlorine chemistry for steel pickling and oil wells
- [Phosphoric acid](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/phosphoric_acid/): Phosphate rock dissolved in sulphuric acid; feeds DAP, MAP and LFP batteries
- [Hydrofluoric acid](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/hydrofluoric_acid/): Acid made from fluorspar, gateway to refrigerants, fluoropolymers and chip etching
- [Caustic soda](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/caustic_soda/): Main industrial alkali, co-made with chlorine, for alumina, pulp and soaps
- [Chlorine](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/chlorine/): Toxic gas from electrolysing brine, the base of PVC and safe drinking water
- [Hydrogen peroxide](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/hydrogen_peroxide/): Clean oxidiser that breaks down to water, for bleaching pulp and making propylene oxide

## Commodity chemicals · Other inorganics

- [Titanium dioxide](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/titanium_dioxide/): White pigment made from titanium ore, in almost all paint, plastics and paper
- [Carbon black](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/carbon_black/): Fine carbon from burning heavy oil, reinforcing tyres and colouring inks and plastics
- [Sodium silicate](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/sodium_silicate/): Water glass from sand and soda ash; source of silica for tyres and detergents
- [Activated carbon](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/activated_carbon/): Porous adsorbent from coconut shell or coal for water, gold and food purification

## Commodity chemicals · Industrial gases

- [Hydrogen](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/hydrogen/): Industrial gas mostly made from gas or coal, used in refining, ammonia and methanol
- [Oxygen](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/oxygen/): Industrial gas separated from air, used to make steel and keep patients alive
- [Nitrogen gas](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/nitrogen_gas/): Industrial gas from air separation, used for inerting and food packing
- [Argon](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/argon/): Inert gas from air separation plants, shielding welds and chip and solar furnaces
- [Carbon dioxide](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/carbon_dioxide/): By-product gas from ammonia and ethanol plants, for urea, fizzy drinks and oil fields

## Commodity chemicals · Nitrogen & phosphate chemicals

- [Ammonia](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/ammonia/): Nitrogen chemical made from hydrogen and air, the root of nearly all nitrogen fertiliser
- [Urea](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/urea/): Most used solid nitrogen fertiliser, made from ammonia and CO2; India a big buyer
- [Ammonium nitrate](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/ammonium_nitrate/): Fast-acting nitrogen fertiliser that is also the main explosive in mines and quarries
- [Ammonium sulphate](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/ammonium_sulphate/): Low-cost nitrogen plus sulphur fertiliser, mostly a nylon and coke by-product
- [DAP and MAP](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/dap_map/): Granular phosphate fertilisers made from phosphoric acid and ammonia

## Commodity chemicals · Olefins

- [Ethylene](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/ethylene/): Largest volume organic chemical, cracked from ethane or naphtha, mostly into polyethylene
- [Propylene](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/propylene/): Second largest olefin gas from crackers and refineries, mostly made into polypropylene
- [Butadiene](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/butadiene/): Cracker by-product monomer for tyre synthetic rubbers, ABS and nylon intermediates

## Commodity chemicals · Aromatics

- [Benzene](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/benzene/): Simplest aromatic from refining and cracking, the feed for styrene, phenol and nylon
- [Toluene](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/toluene/): Aromatic solvent and petrol blendstock, converted into xylenes, benzene and TDI
- [Paraxylene](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/paraxylene/): Aromatic from refineries that becomes PTA, then polyester fibre and PET bottles
- [Styrene](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/styrene/): Monomer from benzene and ethylene, polymerised into polystyrene, ABS and SBR rubber
- [Phenol and acetone](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/phenol/): Co-products from cumene that feed bisphenol A, phenolic resins and solvents

## Commodity chemicals · Methanol & oxygenates

- [Methanol](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/methanol/): Simplest alcohol from gas or coal, building block for resins and a marine fuel
- [Formaldehyde](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/formaldehyde/): Methanol derivative whose resins glue particleboard, MDF and plywood
- [Acetic acid](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/acetic_acid/): Vinegar acid made from methanol, for vinyl acetate, PTA, solvents and paracetamol
- [MTBE](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/mtbe/): Petrol octane booster from methanol and isobutylene, banned in the US
- [Isopropanol](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/isopropanol/): Fast-drying solvent and disinfectant alcohol used in pharma, inks and chip cleaning

## Commodity chemicals · Derivatives & intermediates

- [Ethylene oxide](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/ethylene_oxide/): Reactive toxic gas from ethylene, gateway to glycols, surfactants and sterilising
- [Monoethylene glycol](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/meg/): Glycol made from ethylene oxide or coal that pairs with PTA to make polyester
- [Propylene oxide](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/propylene_oxide/): Reactive epoxide from propylene, mostly turned into polyols for polyurethane foam
- [Vinyl chloride monomer](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/vcm/): Gas made from ethylene and chlorine, polymerised into PVC
- [Purified terephthalic acid](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/pta/): White powder from paraxylene that pairs with MEG to make all polyester and PET
- [Acrylonitrile](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/acrylonitrile/): Propylene and ammonia intermediate for ABS, acrylic fibre and carbon fibre
- [Caprolactam](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/caprolactam/): Nylon 6 monomer from benzene, with ammonium sulphate as a big co-product
- [Bisphenol A](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bisphenol_a/): Phenol and acetone building block for polycarbonate and epoxy resins
- [Acrylic acid](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/acrylic_acid/): Propylene-derived acid for paint and adhesive acrylates and nappy superabsorbents
- [Linear alkylbenzene](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/lab/): Kerosene and benzene feedstock that becomes LAS, the most used detergent surfactant

## Pseudo-commodities · Commodity plastics

- [Polyethylene (LDPE, LLDPE)](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polyethylene/): Soft, flexible LDPE and LLDPE plastics used mostly for packaging film and bags
- [High-density polyethylene](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/hdpe/): Stiff polyethylene grade for bottles, crates and pipes; easy to recycle
- [Polypropylene](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polypropylene/): Most produced plastic: light, heat-resistant, for packaging, woven sacks and car parts
- [PVC](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/pvc/): Chlorine-based plastic for pipes, window frames, cables and flooring; India imports much
- [PET resin](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/pet/): Clear polyester plastic for drinks bottles, trays and film; the most recycled plastic
- [Polystyrene and EPS](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/): Rigid and foamed plastic for food packs, appliance liners and insulation boards

## Pseudo-commodities · Engineering plastics

- [ABS](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/abs/): Tough, glossy engineering plastic for appliance housings, car interiors and toys
- [Nylon (PA6, PA66)](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/nylon/): Polyamide plastics and yarns for textiles, tyre cord, airbags and car parts
- [Polycarbonate](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polycarbonate/): Clear, near-unbreakable plastic from bisphenol A for lighting, glazing and devices
- [Acrylics (PMMA)](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/pmma/): Clear acrylic glass for signs, lamps, screens and glazing
- [Fluoropolymers (PTFE, PVDF)](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/fluoropolymers/): Heat- and chemical-proof plastics for chips, batteries and seals; PFAS rules loom

## Pseudo-commodities · Rubbers & elastomers

- [Styrene-butadiene rubber](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/sbr/): Main synthetic rubber in car tyre treads, made from butadiene and styrene
- [Polybutadiene rubber](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polybutadiene/): Synthetic rubber for tyre sidewalls and the toughener in impact polystyrene and ABS
- [EPDM](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/epdm/): Weather-resistant synthetic rubber for car door seals, hoses and roofing membranes
- [Silicones](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/silicones/): Silicon-oxygen polymers sold as sealants, rubbers and fluids for buildings and electronics

## Pseudo-commodities · Resins & fibres

- [Polyurethanes (MDI, TDI, polyols)](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polyurethanes/): Foams, coatings and elastomers from isocyanates and polyols, for insulation and furniture
- [Epoxy resins](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/epoxy/): Tough thermosetting resins for coatings, circuit boards and wind turbine blades
- [Polyester fibre](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polyester_fibre/): Dominant textile fibre, spun from PTA and MEG; key to Indian textile exports
- [Viscose fibre](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/viscose/): Man-made cellulose fibre regenerated from wood pulp, a cotton-like textile
- [Unsaturated polyester resins](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/upr/): Low-cost styrene-based resins for glass-fibre pipes, tanks, boats and engineered stone

## Specialty chemicals · Energy-transition chemicals

- [Battery cathode materials](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/cathode_materials/): Positive electrode powders like LFP and NMC that set a cell's energy and cost
- [Battery anode materials](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/anode_materials/): Negative electrode powders, mostly synthetic graphite, that store lithium in cells
- [Battery electrolytes](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/electrolytes/): Lithium salt solutions that carry ions between electrodes inside battery cells
- [Polysilicon](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polysilicon/): Ultra-pure refined silicon, the base of solar wafers and semiconductor chips

## Specialty chemicals · Electronic chemicals

- [Electronic specialty gases](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/electronic_gases/): Ultra-pure gases that etch, clean, deposit and dope chip layers in fabs
- [Ultra-pure wet chemicals](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/wet_chemicals/): Acids and solvents purified to parts per trillion to clean and etch chip wafers
- [Photoresists](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/photoresists/): Light-sensitive polymers that transfer chip patterns onto wafers; Japan leads
- [CMP slurries and pads](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/cmp_slurries/): Abrasive slurries and pads that polish each chip layer flat; a fab consumable

## Specialty chemicals · Catalysts

- [Refining catalysts](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/refining_catalysts/): Consumable catalysts that crack heavy oil into petrol and strip sulphur from diesel
- [Autocatalysts](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/autocatalysts/): Exhaust converters coated with platinum group metals that clean car and truck fumes
- [Chemical process catalysts](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/process_catalysts/): Catalysts that run big chemical reactions for ammonia, methanol, plastics and acids

## Specialty chemicals · Performance additives

- [Plasticisers](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/plasticisers/): Oily esters that make PVC soft for cables, flooring and medical tubing
- [Polymer additives](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polymer_additives/): Antioxidants and stabilisers that stop plastics breaking down in processing and use
- [Flame retardants](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/flame_retardants/): Additives that slow ignition and flame spread in plastics, cables, foams and textiles
- [Lubricant additives](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/lubricant_additives/): Detergents, dispersants and anti-wear agents that turn base oil into lubricants
- [Rubber chemicals](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/rubber_chemicals/): Accelerators and antidegradants that vulcanise tyres fast and resist heat and ozone

## Specialty chemicals · Coatings, adhesives & colourants

- [Paints and coatings](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/paints_coatings/): Decorative, auto and industrial finishes built on TiO2 pigment and oil-based resins
- [Adhesives and sealants](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/adhesives/): Glues and sealants that bond packaging, furniture, buildings, cars and electronics
- [Dyes](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/dyes/): Soluble colourants for textiles, leather and paper, made mostly in China and India
- [Organic pigments](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/pigments/): Insoluble carbon-based colourants giving durable shades to inks, paints and plastics

## Specialty chemicals · Industrial & consumer specialties

- [Surfactants](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/surfactants/): Cleaning molecules in detergents and shampoos, from oil or palm and coconut chains
- [Water treatment chemicals](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/water_treatment/): Coagulants, polymers and biocides for drinking water, effluent and cooling towers
- [Construction chemicals](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/construction_chemicals/): Admixtures, waterproofing and tile adhesives that make concrete stronger and drier
- [Oilfield and mining chemicals](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/oilfield_chemicals/): Drilling fluids and well additives, plus flotation and leaching reagents for mines
- [Flavours and fragrances](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/flavours_fragrances/): Aroma chemicals and blends that give taste and scent to food, soaps and perfume
- [Food and feed additives](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/food_additives/): Emulsifiers, preservatives, sweeteners and feed additives for processed food and livestock

## Fine chemicals · Pharmaceutical

- [Small-molecule APIs](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/apis/): Purified active molecules in medicines; India's generics base still imports hard inputs
- [Pharma starting materials and intermediates](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/ksm_intermediates/): Building blocks one or more steps before an API; India's biggest China dependence
- [Paracetamol](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/paracetamol/): Most used painkiller and fever reducer; India leads API supply, key inputs from China
- [Antibiotic intermediates (6-APA, 7-ACA)](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/antibiotic_intermediates/): Fermented cores of penicillins and cephalosporins, long China-made, now Indian PLI target
- [Peptides and oligonucleotides](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/peptides_oligos/): Chain-molecule drugs such as GLP-1 and siRNA, made in tiny, solvent-heavy batches
- [Pharmaceutical excipients](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/excipients/): Inactive tablet fillers, binders and coatings from milk, wood and maize

## Fine chemicals · Crop protection

- [Herbicides](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/herbicides/): Weedkillers such as glyphosate; the largest, mostly generic crop protection class
- [Insecticides](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/insecticides/): Crop pest killers such as pyrethroids and diamides; India's largest agrochemical class
- [Fungicides](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/fungicides/): Crop disease protection such as triazoles and mancozeb; big for Brazil soybean rust

## Fine chemicals · Other fine chemicals

- [Fluorochemicals and refrigerants](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/fluoro_intermediates/): Refrigerant gases and fluorinated building blocks made from HF under Kigali quotas
- [Chiral and specialty building blocks](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/chiral_building_blocks/): Single-handed molecules such as chiral amines used to build modern drugs and agrochemicals
- [Custom synthesis (CDMO)](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/custom_synthesis/): Contract drug development and manufacturing for innovators, shifting partly towards India
- [Reagents and high-purity lab chemicals](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/lab_reagents/): High-purity solvents, biochemicals and reference standards for testing and research labs
- [Specialty amines and ethanolamines](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/specialty_amines/): Ammonia-derived amines and ethanolamines for drugs, agrochemicals and carbon capture

## Bio-based chemicals · Oleochemicals

- [Fatty acids](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/fatty_acids/): Acids split from palm, coconut and tallow for soaps, cosmetics, tyres and plastics
- [Fatty alcohols](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/fatty_alcohols/): Palm kernel, coconut or ethylene alcohols forming the oily tail of detergent surfactants
- [Glycerine](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/glycerine/): Sweet by-product of biodiesel and fat splitting, refined for personal care and pharma

## Bio-based chemicals · Fermentation products

- [Citric acid](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/citric_acid/): Most used food acid, fermented from sugar by a mould; China sets the price
- [Lactic acid and PLA](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/lactic_acid_pla/): Sugar-fermented acid polymerised into PLA, the largest compostable bioplastic
- [Amino acids (lysine, methionine)](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/amino_acids/): Lysine and methionine fed to livestock to balance diets and cut soymeal use
- [Industrial enzymes](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/enzymes/): Fermented proteins that speed reactions in detergents, baking, ethanol and feed
- [Vitamins](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/vitamins/): Essential micronutrients made by synthesis or fermentation for feed, food and pharma

## Bio-based chemicals · Bio-based polymers & platforms

- [Bio-based polyethylene and MEG](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bio_pe/): Sugarcane-based polyethylene and MEG, identical to fossil versions and sold at a premium
- [PHA bioplastics](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/pha/): Bacteria-grown polyesters that biodegrade in soil and sea; promising but fragile business
- [Furfural and furanics (FDCA)](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/furanics/): Corncob and bagasse chemicals, plus sugar-based FDCA for PEF bottles
- [Starch and cellulose derivatives](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/starch_derivatives/): Maize, cassava and wheat starch, its modified forms, sugars and cellulose ethers