Top 20 Chemical Manufacturing Companies in 2023

The chemical manufacturing industry is an important sector that produces a vast range of chemicals and materials used in many industries such as healthcare, construction, agriculture, energy, and consumer goods.

The global chemical industry has been growing rapidly, driven by increasing demand from emerging economies, technological advancements, and changing consumer preferences.

The top 20 chemical manufacturing companies in 2023 are some of the largest and most innovative companies in the industry. They operate in multiple countries and have a diverse range of products, including specialty chemicals, plastics, petrochemicals, fertilizers, and industrial gases.

These companies are known for their expertise, innovation, and commitment to sustainability, and they play a vital role in the global economy.

In this article, we will provide an overview of the top 20 chemical manufacturing companies in 2023, including their history, products, and key achievements. We will also discuss their impact on the global chemical industry and their plans for the future.

1. BASF SE (Germany)
2. Dow Chemical Company (U.S.)
3. Sinopec (China)
4. SABIC (Saudi Arabia)
5. ExxonMobil (U.S.)
6. LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (Netherlands)
7. INEOS Group Holdings SA (Switzerland)
8. Formosa Plastics Group (Taiwan)
9. Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation (Japan)
10. Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. (Japan)
11. LG Chem Ltd. (South Korea)
12. Huntsman Corporation (U.S.)
13. Bayer AG (Germany)
14. DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (U.S.)
15. PPG Industries, Inc. (U.S.)
16. Arkema S.A. (France)
17. Air Liquide S.A. (France)
18. Evonik Industries AG (Germany)
19. Akzo Nobel N.V. (Netherlands)
20. Eastman Chemical Company (U.S.)

BASF SE (Germany)

BASF SE is a German multinational chemical company headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany. The company was founded in 1865 and has grown to become one of the largest chemical companies in the world.

BASF provides a wide range of chemical products, including basic chemicals, specialty chemicals, performance materials, and agricultural chemicals. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including automotive, construction, agriculture, and electronics.

BASF is known for its expertise in research and development and its commitment to sustainability. The company has a market capitalization of over $85 billion and as of September 2021, it was ranked as the largest chemical company in the world by revenue.

BASF has faced controversy in the past, including a $1 billion settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice in 2020 over its role in a bribery scheme in Libya, and criticism from environmental groups over its production of genetically modified crops and use of chemicals in agriculture.

However, the company continues to invest in sustainable solutions and innovative products, demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable future.

Dow Chemical Company (U.S.)

The Dow Chemical Company is an American multinational chemical company headquartered in Midland, Michigan. The company was founded in 1897 and has grown to become one of the largest chemical companies in the world.

Dow provides a wide range of chemical products, including basic chemicals, performance materials, industrial intermediates, and agricultural chemicals. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including automotive, construction, consumer goods, and electronics.

Dow is known for its expertise in research and development and its commitment to sustainability. The company has a market capitalization of over $40 billion and as of September 2021, it was ranked as the second-largest chemical company in the world by revenue.

Dow has faced controversy in the past, including a $2.5 million settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 2020 over charges of inadequate accounting controls and financial reporting related to a joint venture in Kuwait, and criticism from environmental groups over its production of plastic and use of chemicals in agriculture.

However, the company continues to invest in sustainable solutions and innovative products, demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable future.

Sinopec (China)

Sinopec, or China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, is a Chinese multinational oil and gas company headquartered in Beijing, China. The company was founded in 2000 and has grown to become one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world.

Sinopec provides a wide range of chemical products, including basic chemicals, specialty chemicals, and synthetic materials. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including automotive, construction, energy, and consumer goods.

Sinopec is known for its expertise in oil and gas exploration and production, as well as its chemical manufacturing capabilities. The company has a market capitalization of over $50 billion and as of September 2021, it was ranked as the second-largest chemical company in the world by revenue.

Sinopec has faced controversy in the past, including criticism over its environmental impact and concerns over its involvement in human rights abuses in Tibet. However, the company continues to invest in sustainable solutions and innovative products, demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable future.

SABIC (Saudi Arabia)

SABIC, or Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, is a Saudi Arabian multinational chemical manufacturing company headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The company was founded in 1976 and has grown to become one of the largest chemical companies in the world.

SABIC provides a wide range of chemical products, including basic chemicals, polymers, fertilizers, and metals. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including automotive, construction, packaging, and healthcare.

SABIC is known for its expertise in petrochemicals and its commitment to sustainability. The company has a market capitalization of over $100 billion and as of September 2021, it was ranked as the third-largest chemical company in the world by revenue.

SABIC has faced controversy in the past, including criticism over its environmental impact and allegations of involvement in human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia. However, the company continues to invest in sustainable solutions and innovative products, demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable future.

ExxonMobil (U.S.)

ExxonMobil is an American multinational oil and gas company headquartered in Irving, Texas. The company was founded in 1999 through the merger of Exxon and Mobil, and has grown to become one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world.

ExxonMobil provides a wide range of chemical products, including basic chemicals, synthetic materials, and fuels. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including automotive, construction, consumer goods, and energy.

ExxonMobil is known for its expertise in oil and gas exploration and production, as well as its chemical manufacturing capabilities. The company has a market capitalization of over $250 billion and as of September 2021, it was ranked as the fourth-largest chemical company in the world by revenue.

ExxonMobil has faced controversy in the past, including criticism over its environmental impact and alleged suppression of climate change research. However, the company continues to invest in sustainable solutions and innovative products, demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable future.

LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (Netherlands)

LyondellBasell Industries N.V. is a Dutch-American multinational chemical company headquartered in Rotterdam, Netherlands, with operational headquarters located in Houston, Texas.

The company was founded in 2007 through the merger of Lyondell and Basell and has grown to become one of the largest chemical companies in the world.

LyondellBasell provides a wide range of chemical products, including basic chemicals, polyolefins, advanced polymers, and fuels. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including automotive, construction, packaging, and consumer goods.

LyondellBasell is known for its expertise in polyolefin manufacturing and its commitment to sustainability. The company has a market capitalization of over $45 billion and as of September 2021, it was ranked as the fifth-largest chemical company in the world by revenue.

LyondellBasell has faced controversy in the past, including a 2019 settlement of $2.25 billion for environmental cleanup related to a subsidiary’s operations, and criticism over its use of chemicals in products and manufacturing processes.

However, the company continues to invest in sustainable solutions and innovative products, demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable future.

INEOS Group Holdings SA (Switzerland)

INEOS Group Holdings SA is a Swiss multinational chemical company headquartered in Rolle, Switzerland. The company was founded in 1998 and has grown to become one of the largest chemical companies in the world.

INEOS provides a wide range of chemical products, including basic chemicals, polymers, and specialty chemicals. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including automotive, construction, packaging, and consumer goods.

INEOS is known for its expertise in petrochemicals and its commitment to sustainability. The company has a market capitalization of over $80 billion and as of September 2021, it was ranked as the sixth-largest chemical company in the world by revenue.

INEOS has faced controversy in the past, including criticism over its environmental impact and concerns over the safety of some of its chemical products. However, the company continues to invest in sustainable solutions and innovative products, demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable future.

Formosa Plastics Group (Taiwan)

Formosa Plastics Group is a Taiwanese multinational conglomerate headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan. The company was founded in 1954 and has grown to become one of the largest chemical companies in the world.

Formosa Plastics provides a wide range of chemical products, including basic chemicals, plastics, and petrochemicals. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including automotive, construction, packaging, and consumer goods.

Formosa Plastics is known for its expertise in plastics manufacturing and its commitment to sustainability. The company has a market capitalization of over $25 billion and as of September 2021, it was ranked as the seventh-largest chemical company in the world by revenue.

Formosa Plastics has faced controversy in the past, including criticism over its environmental impact and safety concerns related to some of its manufacturing processes. However, the company continues to invest in sustainable solutions and innovative products, demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable future.

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation (Japan)

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation is a Japanese multinational chemical company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

The company was founded in 2005 through the merger of Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation and Mitsubishi Pharma Corporation, and has grown to become one of the largest chemical companies in the world.

Mitsubishi Chemical provides a wide range of chemical products, including basic chemicals, specialty chemicals, and performance materials. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including automotive, construction, electronics, and healthcare.

Mitsubishi Chemical is known for its expertise in chemicals and materials technology and its commitment to sustainability. The company has a market capitalization of over $25 billion and as of September 2021, it was ranked as the eighth-largest chemical company in the world by revenue.

Mitsubishi Chemical has faced controversy in the past, including criticism over its environmental impact and safety concerns related to some of its manufacturing processes. However, the company continues to invest in sustainable solutions and innovative products, demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable future.

Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. (Japan)

Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. is a Japanese multinational chemical company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The company was founded in 1913 and has grown to become one of the largest chemical companies in the world.

Sumitomo Chemical provides a wide range of chemical products, including basic chemicals, specialty chemicals, and crop protection products. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including agriculture, automotive, construction, and electronics.

Sumitomo Chemical is known for its expertise in crop protection and its commitment to sustainability. The company has a market capitalization of over $20 billion and as of September 2021, it was ranked as the ninth-largest chemical company in the world by revenue.

Sumitomo Chemical has faced controversy in the past, including criticism over its environmental impact and safety concerns related to some of its products. However, the company continues to invest in sustainable solutions and innovative products, demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable future.

LG Chem Ltd. (South Korea)

LG Chem Ltd. is a South Korean multinational chemical company headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. The company was founded in 1947 and has grown to become one of the largest chemical companies in the world.

LG Chem provides a wide range of chemical products, including basic chemicals, specialty chemicals, and advanced materials. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including automotive, construction, electronics, and energy.

LG Chem is known for its expertise in advanced materials and its commitment to sustainability. The company has a market capitalization of over $60 billion and as of September 2021, it was ranked as the tenth-largest chemical company in the world by revenue.

LG Chem has faced controversy in the past, including criticism over its environmental impact and safety concerns related to some of its products.

However, the company continues to invest in sustainable solutions and innovative products, demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable future.

Huntsman Corporation (U.S.)

Huntsman Corporation is an American multinational chemical company headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas. The company was founded in 1970 and has grown to become one of the largest chemical companies in the world.

Huntsman provides a wide range of chemical products, including basic chemicals, performance materials, and advanced polymers. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including automotive, construction, consumer goods, and textiles.

Huntsman is known for its expertise in specialty chemicals and its commitment to sustainability. The company has a market capitalization of over $6 billion and as of September 2021, it was ranked as one of the top 20 largest chemical companies in the world by revenue.

Huntsman has faced controversy in the past, including allegations of environmental violations and safety concerns related to some of its products. However, the company continues to invest in sustainable solutions and innovative products, demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable future.

Bayer AG (Germany)

Bayer AG is a German multinational pharmaceutical and chemical company headquartered in Leverkusen, Germany. The company was founded in 1863 and has grown to become one of the largest chemical companies in the world.

Bayer provides a wide range of chemical products, including basic chemicals, specialty chemicals, and crop protection products. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including agriculture, automotive, construction, and healthcare.

Bayer is known for its expertise in crop protection and its commitment to sustainability. The company has a market capitalization of over $90 billion and as of September 2021, it was ranked as one of the top 10 largest chemical companies in the world by revenue.

Bayer has faced controversy in the past, including allegations of environmental violations and safety concerns related to some of its products, particularly its Roundup herbicide.

The company has also faced criticism over its involvement in the production of chemical weapons during World War II. However, the company continues to invest in sustainable solutions and innovative products, demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable future.

DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (U.S.)

DuPont de Nemours, Inc. is an American multinational chemical company headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware. The company was founded in 1802 and has grown to become one of the largest chemical companies in the world.

DuPont provides a wide range of chemical products, including basic chemicals, specialty chemicals, and performance materials. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including agriculture, automotive, construction, and electronics.

DuPont is known for its expertise in materials science and its commitment to sustainability. The company has a market capitalization of over $40 billion and as of September 2021, it was ranked as one of the top 20 largest chemical companies in the world by revenue.

DuPont has faced controversy in the past, including allegations of environmental violations and safety concerns related to some of its products, particularly its PFAS chemicals.

The company has also faced criticism over its role in the production of chemicals used in Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. However, the company continues to invest in sustainable solutions and innovative products, demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable future.

PPG Industries, Inc. (U.S.)

PPG Industries, Inc. is an American multinational chemical company headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The company was founded in 1883 and has grown to become one of the largest chemical companies in the world.

PPG provides a wide range of chemical products, including coatings, specialty materials, and glass products. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, construction, and consumer goods.

PPG is known for its expertise in coatings and its commitment to sustainability. The company has a market capitalization of over $40 billion and as of September 2021, it was ranked as one of the top 20 largest chemical companies in the world by revenue.

PPG has faced controversy in the past, including allegations of environmental violations and safety concerns related to some of its products, particularly its lead-based paint products.

However, the company continues to invest in sustainable solutions and innovative products, demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable future.

Arkema S.A. (France)

Arkema S.A. is a French multinational chemical company headquartered in Colombes, France. The company was founded in 2004 as a spin-off from the oil company Total and has grown to become one of the largest chemical companies in the world.

Arkema provides a wide range of chemical products, including industrial chemicals, performance materials, and coatings. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including automotive, construction, and electronics.

Arkema is known for its expertise in specialty chemicals and its commitment to sustainability. The company has a market capitalization of over $10 billion and as of September 2021, it was ranked as one of the top 20 largest chemical companies in the world by revenue.

Arkema has faced controversy in the past, including allegations of environmental violations and safety concerns related to some of its products, particularly its polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products.

However, the company continues to invest in sustainable solutions and innovative products, demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable future.

Air Liquide S.A. (France)

Air Liquide S.A. is a French multinational chemical company headquartered in Paris, France. The company was founded in 1902 and has grown to become one of the largest chemical companies in the world.

Air Liquide provides a wide range of chemical products, including industrial gases, specialty gases, and healthcare gases. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including automotive, construction, electronics, and healthcare.

Air Liquide is known for its expertise in gases and its commitment to sustainability. The company has a market capitalization of over $80 billion and as of September 2021, it was ranked as one of the top 10 largest chemical companies in the world by revenue.

Air Liquide has faced controversy in the past, including allegations of environmental violations and safety concerns related to some of its products, particularly its nitrogen oxide emissions.

However, the company continues to invest in sustainable solutions and innovative products, demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable future.

Evonik Industries AG (Germany)

Evonik Industries AG is a German multinational chemical company headquartered in Essen, Germany. The company was founded in 2007 as a spin-off from the energy company RAG AG and has grown to become one of the largest chemical companies in the world.

Evonik provides a wide range of chemical products, including specialty chemicals, performance materials, and additives. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including automotive, construction, electronics, and healthcare.

Evonik is known for its expertise in specialty chemicals and its commitment to sustainability. The company has a market capitalization of over $25 billion and as of September 2021, it was ranked as one of the top 20 largest chemical companies in the world by revenue.

Evonik has faced controversy in the past, including allegations of environmental violations and safety concerns related to some of its products, particularly its feed additives. However, the company continues to invest in sustainable solutions and innovative products, demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable future.

Akzo Nobel N.V. (Netherlands)

Akzo Nobel N.V. is a Dutch multinational chemical company headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The company was founded in 1994 through the merger of Akzo and Nobel Industries and has grown to become one of the largest chemical companies in the world.

Akzo Nobel provides a wide range of chemical products, including coatings, specialty chemicals, and performance materials. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including automotive, construction, and consumer goods.

Akzo Nobel is known for its expertise in coatings and its commitment to sustainability. The company has a market capitalization of over $20 billion and as of September 2021, it was ranked as one of the top 20 largest chemical companies in the world by revenue.

Akzo Nobel has faced controversy in the past, including allegations of environmental violations and safety concerns related to some of its products, particularly its lead-based paint products.

However, the company continues to invest in sustainable solutions and innovative products, demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable future.

Eastman Chemical Company (U.S.)

Eastman Chemical Company is an American multinational chemical company headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee. The company was founded in 1920 and has grown to become one of the largest chemical companies in the world.

Eastman Chemical provides a wide range of chemical products, including basic chemicals, specialty chemicals, and advanced materials. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including automotive, construction, consumer goods, and textiles.

Eastman Chemical is known for its expertise in specialty chemicals and its commitment to sustainability. The company has a market capitalization of over $20 billion and as of September 2021, it was ranked as one of the top 20 largest chemical companies in the world by revenue.

Eastman Chemical has faced controversy in the past, including allegations of environmental violations and safety concerns related to some of its products, particularly its polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics.

However, the company continues to invest in sustainable solutions and innovative products, demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable future.

The list includes companies from different countries, such as the United States, Germany, Japan, China, and Switzerland. These companies operate in various segments of the chemical industry, including basic chemicals, specialty chemicals, agrochemicals, and performance materials.

The chemical industry has faced challenges and controversies in the past, such as environmental concerns, safety issues, and regulatory compliance. However, these companies continue to innovate and invest in research and development to create new products and improve existing ones.

As the global economy and industries continue to evolve, the demand for chemicals is expected to remain strong. Therefore, these companies will likely remain key players in the global chemical industry, providing essential products for various industries and consumers.