Basic Chemicals Market Report 2026

The basic chemicals market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $734.29 billion in 2025 to $773.43 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to industrialization across developing regions, expansion of manufacturing industries, growth of construction and infrastructure activities, increasing demand for chemical intermediates, availability of petrochemical feedstocks.

The basic chemicals market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $960.72 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing investments in green chemistry, rising demand for specialty chemical derivatives, expansion of circular economy initiatives, growing focus on energy-efficient chemical processes, increasing regulatory emphasis on sustainability. Major trends in the forecast period include expansion of large-scale chemical manufacturing, growing focus on process optimization and efficiency, rising demand from downstream industries, increased adoption of sustainable chemical production, capacity expansion in emerging markets.

Growing building and construction activities worldwide are significantly driving the growth of the basic chemicals market in the coming years. Building and construction activities involve creating structures such as buildings, bridges, roads, and other infrastructure. These activities rely on a variety of raw materials, many derived from basic chemicals, which serve as building blocks for manufacturing construction materials such as plastics, adhesives, coatings, and sealants. For example, in July 2024, Atradius N.V., a Netherlands-based trade credit insurance company, reported that global construction output increased by 3.7% in 2024 compared to 2023, reflecting an overall growth of 2% for the year. Therefore, increasing building and construction activities worldwide are expected to propel the basic chemicals market.

Key players in the basic chemicals market are focusing on innovations such as very low-carbon footprint products, enabling end-users to reduce the embedded emissions associated with hydrogen peroxide consumption. Very low-carbon footprint refers to a minimal contribution of greenhouse gases (GHGs) to the atmosphere by a product or process. For instance, in March 2025, Nouryon, a Netherlands-based specialty chemicals company, launched Eka HP Puroxide, a very low-carbon footprint hydrogen peroxide product designed to help the pulp and paper, mining, and water treatment industries significantly lower their Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions. This product provides the same chemical performance as conventional hydrogen peroxide, allowing sustainable operations without requiring process modifications.

In October 2025, Gemspring Capital, a U.S.-based private investment firm specializing in acquiring and growing industrial and specialty businesses, acquired Goodyear’s Polymer Chemicals business for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition aims to expand Gemspring’s presence in the high-volume polymer and synthetic rubber market by integrating Goodyear’s manufacturing facilities and research capabilities, which produce additives for applications in tires and packaging, thereby strengthening its industrial polymer platform. Goodyear’s Polymer Chemicals is a U.S.-based company specializing in synthetic polymers and industrial elastomers.

Major companies operating in the basic chemicals market are BASF SE, Dow Inc., SABIC, Sinopec Group, LG Chem Ltd., LyondellBasell Industries N.V., Formosa Plastics Corporation, INEOS Group, Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Evonik Industries AG, Arkema S.A., Solvay S.A., Wanhua Chemical Group Co., Ltd., LANXESS AG, Huntsman Corporation, Celanese Corporation, Eastman Chemical Company, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Reliance Industries Limited.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the basic chemicals market in 2025. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the basic chemicals market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the basic chemicals market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The basic chemicals market consists of sales of ammonia, bromine, calcium carbonate, chlorine, fluorine, hydrogen, hydrogen chloride, and hydrogen fluoride. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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