Chemicals

Collective name for all mixed or pure chemical compounds with a defined or unknown physicochemical structure and composition produced by chemical processes in the laboratory, pilot plant, or in industry. Depending on the temperature and pressure chemicals can exist in different states of matter such as gaseous, liquid, solid, or as plasma. Depending on the use and production volume, chemicals are divided into bulk and fine chemicals.

Bulk chemicals

Bulk chemicals (or commodity chemicals) are representing a product group with large production volumes and a wide field of applications in the sectors of polymers, dyes & coatings, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, cleaning, as well as transportation and energy (see Energy & fuels). Beside large production volumes (> 1,000 tonnes annual), bulk chemicals are characterised by a low price (up to $ 1 per kilogram).

Fine chemicals

The fine chemicals are characterised by the production of complex, single, pure chemicals, usually with a low volume (< 1,000 tonnes annually) and a high price (> $ 10 per kilogram)