Top 10 Best Commodity Chemicals Companies in Europe 2023

Commodity chemicals are a group of chemicals that are produced in large quantities and used as raw materials in a variety of industries, such as plastics, textiles, and agriculture. In Europe, there are many companies that produce and distribute commodity chemicals.

Commodity chemicals are basic chemicals that are produced in large quantities and used as raw materials in the production of a wide range of products, including plastics, fertilizers, detergents, and textiles. They are usually produced in large-scale facilities and sold in bulk quantities to other manufacturers or distributors. Commodity chemicals are typically low-margin products with high volume demand and are traded as commodities on global markets.

Some of the most common types of commodity chemicals include:

1. Ethylene – Used as a building block for a wide range of plastics, including polyethylene and PVC.
2. Propylene – Used in the production of plastics, synthetic fibers, and automotive fuels.
3. Benzene – Used in the production of plastics, synthetic fibers, and detergents.
4. Toluene – Used as a solvent and in the production of polymers, adhesives, and rubber.
5. Methanol – Used as a solvent, fuel, and in the production of formaldehyde and other chemicals.
6. Ammonia – Used as a fertilizer, refrigerant, and in the production of various chemicals.
7. Chlorine – Used in the production of PVC, bleach, and other chemicals.
8. Soda ash – Used in the production of glass, detergents, and other chemicals.

Commodity chemical companies typically compete on the basis of cost, efficiency, and reliability, as well as their ability to meet the needs of their customers. As a result, many of these companies invest heavily in research and development, as well as process optimization, to improve their competitiveness and profitability. Additionally, many commodity chemical companies are also committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility, as these issues are becoming increasingly important to both customers and regulators.

Here are the top 10 best commodity chemicals companies in Europe:

BASF SE 

BASF SE is a German multinational chemical company that has been in operation since 1865. The company is the world’s largest chemical producer and operates in a variety of segments, including chemicals, plastics, performance products, and agricultural solutions. BASF SE has a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and customer satisfaction. The company produces a wide range of commodity chemicals, including petrochemicals, intermediates, and polymers. 

BASF SE is a German multinational chemical company that is headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany. The company was founded in 1865 and is one of the largest chemical producers in the world, with operations in over 80 countries.

BASF produces a wide range of commodity chemicals, including plastics, solvents, catalysts, and pigments. The company’s products are used in a variety of industries, including automotive, construction, agriculture, and consumer goods.

In addition to its commodity chemicals business, BASF also has a strong focus on innovation and sustainability. The company has made significant investments in research and development and has established partnerships with a range of academic and industry partners to develop new products and technologies. BASF also has a strong commitment to sustainability and has set ambitious goals for reducing its environmental impact and improving the sustainability of its products and processes.

BASF has a diverse portfolio of products and services and operates through a number of business segments, including chemicals, performance products, functional materials and solutions, agricultural solutions, and oil and gas. The company’s chemicals segment produces a range of basic chemicals, intermediates, and specialties, while its performance products segment produces a range of products for use in coatings, plastics, and other industries. BASF’s functional materials and solutions segment produces materials for use in construction, automotive, and other industries, while its agricultural solutions segment produces a range of products for crop protection and seeds. The company’s oil and gas segment produces natural gas and crude oil.

Overall, BASF is a leading producer of commodity chemicals and a key player in the global chemical industry. The company’s focus on innovation and sustainability is helping to drive its growth and competitiveness, and it is well-positioned to continue to be a major player in the industry for years to come.

Dow – Dow is an American multinational chemical company that has a strong presence in Europe. The company has been in operation since 1897 and produces a wide range of commodity chemicals, including plastics, elastomers, and agricultural chemicals. Dow has a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation and has been recognized for its efforts in these areas.

Dow is an American multinational chemical company that is headquartered in Midland, Michigan. The company was founded in 1897 and has grown to become one of the largest chemical producers in the world, with operations in more than 160 countries.

Dow produces a wide range of commodity chemicals, including plastics, chemicals, and agricultural products. The company’s products are used in a variety of industries, including automotive, construction, electronics, and packaging.

In addition to its commodity chemicals business, Dow also has a strong focus on innovation and sustainability. The company has made significant investments in research and development and has established partnerships with a range of academic and industry partners to develop new products and technologies. Dow also has a strong commitment to sustainability and has set ambitious goals for reducing its environmental impact and improving the sustainability of its products and processes.

Dow operates through a number of business segments, including packaging and specialty plastics, industrial intermediates and infrastructure, performance materials and coatings, and agriculture. The company’s packaging and specialty plastics segment produces a range of products for use in packaging and other industries, while its industrial intermediates and infrastructure segment produces basic chemicals and other products for use in a range of industries. Dow’s performance materials and coatings segment produces products for use in automotive, construction, and other industries, while its agriculture segment produces a range of products for crop protection and seeds.

Overall, Dow is a leading producer of commodity chemicals and a key player in the global chemical industry. The company’s focus on innovation and sustainability is helping to drive its growth and competitiveness, and it is well-positioned to continue to be a major player in the industry for years to come.

INEOS – INEOS is a British multinational chemicals company that has been in operation since 1998. The company produces a wide range of commodity chemicals, including olefins, polymers, and specialty chemicals. INEOS has a strong focus on innovation and sustainability and has made significant investments in these areas. 

INEOS is a British multinational chemical company that is headquartered in London, UK. The company was founded in 1998 and has grown to become one of the largest chemical producers in the world, with operations in more than 30 countries.

INEOS produces a wide range of commodity chemicals, including petrochemicals, plastics, and specialty chemicals. The company’s products are used in a variety of industries, including automotive, construction, healthcare, and packaging.

In addition to its commodity chemicals business, INEOS also has a strong focus on innovation and sustainability. The company has made significant investments in research and development and has established partnerships with a range of academic and industry partners to develop new products and technologies. INEOS also has a strong commitment to sustainability and has set ambitious goals for reducing its environmental impact and improving the sustainability of its products and processes.

INEOS operates through a number of business segments, including olefins and polymers, aromatics, phenol and acetone, and specialty chemicals. The company’s olefins and polymers segment produces basic chemicals and polymers, while its aromatics segment produces products for use in the production of plastics and other materials. INEOS’s phenol and acetone segment produces chemicals for use in a range of industries, while its specialty chemicals segment produces a range of products for use in healthcare, cosmetics, and other industries.

Overall, INEOS is a leading producer of commodity chemicals and a key player in the global chemical industry. The company’s focus on innovation and sustainability is helping to drive its growth and competitiveness, and it is well-positioned to continue to be a major player in the industry for years to come.

Solvay – Solvay is a Belgian multinational chemicals company that has been in operation since 1863. The company produces a wide range of commodity chemicals, including soda ash, hydrogen peroxide, and specialty polymers. Solvay has a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation and has been recognized for its efforts in these areas. 

Solvay is a Belgian multinational chemical company that is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. The company was founded in 1863 and has grown to become one of the largest chemical producers in the world, with operations in more than 60 countries.

Solvay produces a wide range of commodity chemicals, including polymers, soda ash, hydrogen peroxide, and specialty chemicals. The company’s products are used in a variety of industries, including automotive, construction, healthcare, and electronics.

In addition to its commodity chemicals business, Solvay also has a strong focus on innovation and sustainability. The company has made significant investments in research and development and has established partnerships with a range of academic and industry partners to develop new products and technologies. Solvay also has a strong commitment to sustainability and has set ambitious goals for reducing its environmental impact and improving the sustainability of its products and processes.

Solvay operates through a number of business segments, including advanced materials, performance chemicals, functional polymers, and corporate and business services. The company’s advanced materials segment produces products for use in aerospace, automotive, and other industries, while its performance chemicals segment produces products for use in coatings, agrochemicals, and other industries. Solvay’s functional polymers segment produces products for use in healthcare, electronics, and other industries, while its corporate and business services segment provides support services to the other business segments.

Overall, Solvay is a leading producer of commodity chemicals and a key player in the global chemical industry. The company’s focus on innovation and sustainability is helping to drive its growth and competitiveness, and it is well-positioned to continue to be a major player in the industry for years to come.

LyondellBasell – LyondellBasell is a Dutch-American multinational chemical company that has been in operation since 1953. The company produces a wide range of commodity chemicals, including olefins, polyolefins, and chemical intermediates. LyondellBasell has a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation and has made significant investments in these areas.

Clariant – Clariant is a Swiss multinational specialty chemicals company that has been in operation since 1995. The company produces a wide range of commodity chemicals, including pigments, additives, and masterbatches. Clariant has a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation and has been recognized for its efforts in these areas.

Clariant is a Swiss multinational specialty chemicals company that is headquartered in Muttenz, Switzerland. The company was founded in 1995 and has grown to become a leading producer of specialty chemicals, with operations in more than 50 countries.

Clariant produces a wide range of specialty chemicals, including additives, catalysts, and pigments. The company’s products are used in a variety of industries, including automotive, construction, healthcare, and consumer goods.

In addition to its specialty chemicals business, Clariant also has a strong focus on innovation and sustainability. The company has made significant investments in research and development and has established partnerships with a range of academic and industry partners to develop new products and technologies. Clariant also has a strong commitment to sustainability and has set ambitious goals for reducing its environmental impact and improving the sustainability of its products and processes.

Clariant operates through a number of business segments, including care chemicals, catalysis, natural resources, and plastics and coatings. The company’s care chemicals segment produces products for use in personal care, home care, and industrial applications, while its catalysis segment produces products for use in the chemical and petrochemical industries. Clariant’s natural resources segment produces products for use in mining, oil and gas, and other industries, while its plastics and coatings segment produces products for use in packaging, automotive, and other industries.

Overall, Clariant is a leading producer of specialty chemicals and a key player in the global chemical industry. The company’s focus on innovation and sustainability is helping to drive its growth and competitiveness, and it is well-positioned to continue to be a major player in the industry for years to come.

Arkema – Arkema is a French multinational chemicals company that has been in operation since 2004. The company produces a wide range of commodity chemicals, including polymers, adhesives, and coatings. Arkema has a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation and has made significant investments in these areas.

Covestro – Covestro is a German multinational chemicals company that was spun off from Bayer in 2015. The company produces a wide range of commodity chemicals, including polyurethanes, polycarbonates, and coatings. Covestro has a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation and has been recognized for its efforts in these areas.

Evonik Industries – Evonik Industries is a German multinational chemicals company that has been in operation since 2007. The company produces a wide range of commodity chemicals, including specialty polymers, feed additives, and hydrogen peroxide. Evonik Industries has a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation and has made significant investments in these areas.

Evonik Industries is a German multinational specialty chemicals company that is headquartered in Essen, Germany. The company was founded in 2007 as a result of the merger between Degussa and RAG Beteiligungs-AG’s chemicals business and has grown to become a leading producer of specialty chemicals, with operations in more than 100 countries.

Evonik produces a wide range of specialty chemicals, including additives, polymers, and silica. The company’s products are used in a variety of industries, including automotive, construction, healthcare, and consumer goods.

In addition to its specialty chemicals business, Evonik also has a strong focus on innovation and sustainability. The company has made significant investments in research and development and has established partnerships with a range of academic and industry partners to develop new products and technologies. Evonik also has a strong commitment to sustainability and has set ambitious goals for reducing its environmental impact and improving the sustainability of its products and processes.

Evonik operates through a number of business segments, including nutrition and care, resource efficiency, performance materials, and services. The company’s nutrition and care segment produces products for use in personal care, animal nutrition, and other applications, while its resource efficiency segment produces products for use in construction, automotive, and other industries. Evonik’s performance materials segment produces products for use in electronics, coatings, and other industries, while its services segment provides a range of technical and consulting services to customers.

Overall, Evonik is a leading producer of specialty chemicals and a key player in the global chemical industry. The company’s focus on innovation and sustainability is helping to drive its growth and competitiveness, and it is well-positioned to continue to be a major player in the industry for years to come.

Sasol – Sasol is a South African multinational chemicals and energy company that has a strong presence in Europe. The company produces a wide range of commodity chemicals, including petrochemicals, solvents, and specialty chemicals. Sasol has a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation and has been recognized for its efforts in these areas.

Sasol is a South African multinational integrated energy and chemical company that is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. The company was founded in 1950 and has grown to become a leading producer of a wide range of chemical products, including synthetic fuels, polymers, and solvents.

Sasol’s primary focus is on producing synthetic fuels from coal and natural gas, with operations in South Africa, Mozambique, and Canada. The company also produces a wide range of chemicals, including polymers, solvents, and specialty chemicals for use in a variety of industries, including automotive, construction, and healthcare.

In addition to its energy and chemical businesses, Sasol also has a strong focus on sustainability and social responsibility. The company has set ambitious targets for reducing its environmental impact and improving the sustainability of its operations, and it has established partnerships with a range of organizations to promote sustainable development and social welfare in the communities where it operates.

Sasol operates through a number of business segments, including energy, base chemicals, performance chemicals, and mining. The company’s energy segment produces synthetic fuels and related products, while its base chemicals segment produces polymers, solvents, and other chemical products. Sasol’s performance chemicals segment produces specialty chemicals for use in a range of industries, while its mining segment produces coal and other minerals.

Overall, Sasol is a major player in the global chemical industry, with a focus on producing synthetic fuels and a wide range of chemical products. The company’s commitment to sustainability and social responsibility is helping to drive its growth and competitiveness, and it is well-positioned to continue to be a key player in the industry for years to come.