Chemical Raw Materials

Major categories of chemical raw materials

• Petrochemical building blocks / monomers

  • Examples: ethylene, propylene, benzene, toluene, styrene, butadiene.

  • Uses: plastics (PE, PP, PS), synthetic rubber, resins, solvents, chemical intermediates.

• Basic inorganic chemicals

  • Examples: sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), sodium carbonate, ammonia, sodium chloride.

  • Uses: pH control, mineral processing, fertilizers, cleaning, syntheses.

• Solvents

  • Examples: methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, toluene, xylene.

  • Uses: extraction, formulation, coatings, cleaning, reactions.

• Polymers & resins (raw polymer grades)

  • Examples: polyethylene (LDPE, HDPE), polypropylene, PVC, PET, ABS, epoxy resins, polyurethane prepolymers.

  • Uses: packaging, films, pipes, adhesives, coatings, molded parts.

• Additives & performance chemicals

  • Examples: plasticizers (phthalates, alternatives), stabilizers, antioxidants, UV absorbers, antifoams, dispersants.

  • Uses: improve processing, longevity, mechanical properties, appearance.

• Catalysts & reagents

  • Examples: palladium, platinum catalysts; sulfuric-acid catalysts; oxidizing/reducing reagents (KMnO₄, NaBH₄).

  • Uses: speed or direct chemical reactions in synthesis and refining.

• Specialty chemicals / formulation ingredients

  • Examples: surfactants (anionic, cationic, nonionic), emulsifiers, specialty monomers, specialty solvents, chelating agents.

  • Uses: detergents, personal care, agrochemicals, specialty coatings, inks.

• Dyes, pigments & colorants

  • Examples: titanium dioxide, organic pigments, vat dyes, reactive dyes.

  • Uses: paints, inks, plastics, textile dyeing, cosmetics.

• Coatings & adhesives raw materials

  • Examples: binders (acrylics, alkyds), curing agents, crosslinkers, solvents, fillers.

  • Uses: paints, varnishes, adhesives, laminates.

• Agricultural / agrochemical actives & intermediates

  • Examples: urea, glyphosate (active ingredients), intermediates for insecticides/herbicides.

  • Uses: fertilizers, crop protection formulations.

• Pharmaceutical intermediates & active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs)

  • Examples: acetaminophen intermediate, active molecules, excipients like microcrystalline cellulose.

  • Uses: drug manufacturing, formulation.

• Biochemicals & enzymes

  • Examples: amino acids, enzymes (lipase, protease), fermentation intermediates, glucose, glycerol.

  • Uses: food, pharma, biotech processes.

• Electronics & specialty process chemicals

  • Examples: photoresists, high-purity acids, specialty solvents, copper etchants.

  • Uses: semiconductor fabrication, printed circuit boards.

• Battery & energy materials

  • Examples: lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, cobalt precursors, electrolyte salts.

  • Uses: lithium-ion battery cathodes/anodes, electrolytes.

• Water-treatment & industrial process chemicals

  • Examples: chlorine, sodium hypochlorite, coagulants (aluminium sulfate), corrosion inhibitors, scale inhibitors.

  • Uses: municipal/industrial water treatment, cooling towers, boilers.

• Gases

  • Examples: oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, helium, carbon dioxide, ammonia (as gas/liquid).

  • Uses: inerting, reaction gases, welding, refrigeration, cryogenics.

• Fillers & extenders

  • Examples: calcium carbonate, kaolin, talc, silica.

  • Uses: lower cost, modify rheology, strengthen formulations in plastics, paints, rubbers.

• Rubber & elastomer chemicals

  • Examples: sulfur (vulcanisation), accelerators, accelerators, antidegradants, fillers.

  • Uses: tyre manufacture, seals, rubber goods.

• Textile chemicals & auxiliaries

  • Examples: scouring agents, bleaching agents, softeners, anti-shrink/finish agents, reactive dyes.

  • Uses: textile processing and finishing.

Important cross-cutting notes

• Grades matter: raw materials come in grades — industrial/technical, food-grade, pharmaceutical/reagent, electronic/semiconductor (ultra-high purity). The same chemical may be sold in multiple grades with big price/handling differences.

• Regulatory & safety: many raw materials are hazardous (corrosive, flammable, toxic) and need MSDS/SDS handling, transport classification, and regulatory compliance (REACH, TSCA, local rules).

• Intermediates vs finished chemicals: intermediates are made to be transformed; finished specialty chemicals are formulated for direct sale to end users.

• Supply chain considerations: origin (petrochemical vs bio-based), lead times, storage (temperature/humidity), drum vs bulk tanker logistics.