Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: February 2024
NAICS 32518Revenue
$37.8bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$X.Xbn
Employees
40,369
Businesses
374
Wages
$X.Xbn
Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing in the US industry analysis
As overall manufacturing activity declines, demand for inputs like inorganic chemicals also declines. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic negatively influenced downstream manufacturer demand. Following the pandemic, even with the economy showing signs of recovery, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the higher interest rate environment due to inflation-fighting have hurt manufacturing activity, supply chains and limited consumer spending growth. As a result, industry revenue has decreased at a CAGR of 0.6% to $37.8 billion over the past five years, including a projected 1.5% decline in 2024.
Trends and Insights
- Energy is one of the industry's direct production costs. Manufacturers compete on the cost to maintain profitability because all producers manufacture the same basket of products.
- Caustic soda is the most common chemical manufactured in the United States. Various downstream manufacturers use the products in their processes, including pulp and paper, alumina, soap and detergents, petroleum products and chemical production.
- The Southeast grants access to the Gulf Coast, which drives export business. The Gulf Coast is an appealing location for manufacturers because of the presence of salt domes in the area, which reduces process costs.
- Given the commoditized nature of inorganic chemicals, prices are the primary basis of competition. Pricing connects to energy and raw material prices, like natural gas and production efficiency.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 0.6 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $37.8bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Inorganic chemical manufacturing is dependent on demand from downstream users
- Oil and gas production affects refining activity and the price of certain inputs of organic chemical production, which also uses inorganic chemicals.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Manufacturing of inorganic chemicals will likely resume growth
- The industrial production index (IPI), which measures the production activity of the manufacturing, mining, oil and gas sectors, will likely increase revenue.
Biggest companies in the Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Olin Corporation | 3,900.5 | 854.1 | 21.9 | |
The Chemours Company | 3,717.2 | 462.1 | 12.4 | |
Occidental Petroleum Corporation | 3,039.5 | 1,183.8 | 38.9 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 11 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Chlorine , Caustic soda and Potassium, sodium and other alkali compounds. Chlorine is the largest segment of the Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing in the US.
Trends and Insights
Emission control catalysts are increasingly important
- Catalysts are chemical substances that change the rate of a chemical reaction.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Mineral & Phosphate Mining in the US
- Soap & Cleaning Compound Manufacturing in the US
Complementors
- Dye & Pigment Manufacturing in the US
- Organic Chemical Manufacturing in the US
- Fertilizer Manufacturing in the US
- Pesticide Manufacturing in the US
- Chemical Product Manufacturing in the US
International industries
- Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing in Canada
- Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing in Australia
- Inorganic Basic Chemical Manufacturing in the UK
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry produces inorganic chemicals, including titanium dioxide, chlor-alkali products and carbon black. Inorganic chemicals are mineral-based, while organic chemicals are carbon-based. Manufacturing and industrial processes use inorganic chemicals as inputs. This industry doesn't include pigments and dyes (IBISWorld report 32513) or pesticides (32532), which are inorganic chemicals.
What's included in this industry?
Manufacturing alkalies and chlorine Manufacturing carbon black Manufacturing ammoniaManufacturing titanium dioxideManufacturing all other basic inorganic chemicalsCompanies
Olin CorporationThe Chemours CompanyOccidental Petroleum CorporationPurchase this report to view all 11 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
ALKALIESCARBON BLACKSODA ASHTRONAIndustry Code
NAICS 32518 - Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Energy is one of the industry's direct production costs. Manufacturers compete on the cost to maintain profitability because all producers manufacture the same basket of prod...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Caustic soda is the most common chemical manufactured in the United States. Various downstream manufacturers use the products in their processes, including pulp and paper, al...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
- International trade, including imports by country and exports by country
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
- Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The Southeast grants access to the Gulf Coast, which drives export business. The Gulf Coast is an appealing location for manufacturers because of the presence of salt domes i...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Given the commoditized nature of inorganic chemicals, prices are the primary basis of competition. Pricing connects to energy and raw material prices, like natural gas and pr...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Olin Corporation is a public company headquartered in Missouri with an estimated 7,780 employees. Its largest market share is in chlorine manufacturing, accounting for over o...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Olin Corporation's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of The Chemours Company's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Occidental Petroleum Corporation's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 8 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Olin Corporation, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for The Chemours Company, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Occidental Petroleum Corporation, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 8 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for protecting human health and the environment. Chemical manufacturers must notify the EPA before they manufacture a...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Higher-skilled chemists are essential in the industry. Manufacturers employ many highly skilled chemists, engineers and technicians, resulting in a high and increasing averag...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing in the US industry in United States is $37.8bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing in the US industry in 2024?
There are 374 businesses in the Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing in the US industry in United States, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.1 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing in the US industry in United States has been declining at a CAGR of 0.6 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing market in United States are Olin Corporation, The Chemours Company and Occidental Petroleum Corporation
What does the Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing in the US in United States include?
Manufacturing alkalies and chlorine and Manufacturing carbon black are part of the Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is Olin Corporation.
How competitive is the Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing in the US industry in United States.
