Master the Basics of Chemical Industry Classification Firsthand

　　The chemical industry, chemical engineering, and chemical processes are all commonly referred to as "chemicals." The chemical industry encompasses sectors such as petrochemicals, agrochemicals, pharmaceutical chemistry, polymers, coatings, and specialty oils. Emerging in different historical periods, these fields each carry distinct meanings yet remain closely interconnected—deeply intertwined, mutually influential, and characterized by continuity. Over time, they have evolved to incorporate new ideas and applications. Broadly speaking, any process that employs chemical methods to alter the composition or structure of materials—or to synthesize entirely new substances—falls under the umbrella of chemical production technology, or simply chemical processes. The products generated through these processes are known as chemicals or chemical products.
　　Industry Scope
　　The chemical industry can be divided into areas such as fuel chemistry, inorganic chemical industry, organic chemistry, and fine chemicals.
　　1. Fuel Chemistry
　　Fuel chemistry encompasses the petroleum refining industry, petrochemicals, natural gas chemistry, coal chemistry, shale oil production, and more.
　　Ingredients: Combustible minerals such as petroleum, natural gas, coal, and oil shale
　　Products: Alkanes, alkynes, alkenes, aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, ketones, phenols, ethers, anhydrides, esters, acid anhydrides, carboxylates, and more.
　　II. Inorganic Chemistry
　　1. Basic Inorganic Chemical Industry
　　1) Salt Chemicals: Includes production and processing of coke, calcium carbide, chlor-alkali, and polyvinyl chloride
　　2) Coal Chemicals: Includes coke, coal tar, coal gasification, synthetic ammonia, methanol synthesis, coal-to-oil, and coal-to-olefins.
　　Products: Sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, boric acid, soda ash, caustic soda, hydroxides, peroxides, chlorine gas, chlorides, carbonates, nitrates, sulfates, phosphates, borates, and more
　　2. Chemical Mining Industry
　　Products: Industrial salt, sulfur, pyrite, phosphate rock, potash ore, tourmaline, perlite, mica, kaolin, quartz powder, asbestos, bentonite, talc powder, activated carbon, gypsum, carnallite, wollastonite, graphite, feldspar, and more
　　3. Fertilizer and Pesticide Industry
　　1) Chemical Fertilizer Industry
　　2) Pesticide Industry
　　Products: nitrogen fertilizers, phosphate fertilizers, potash fertilizers, compound fertilizers, micronutrients, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides, biopesticides, plant growth hormones, and other agricultural chemicals.
　　III. Organic Chemicals and Fine Chemicals
　　1. Organic Synthesis Industry
　　Ingredients: including hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane, ethylene, acetylene, propylene, C4+ aliphatic hydrocarbons, benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, and more
　　2. Synthetic Resins and the Plastics Industry
　　Includes monomers, polymers, additives, engineering plastics, and plastic processing products, among others.
　　Products: Epoxy resin, phenolic resin, acrylic resin, polyester resin, ion-exchange resin, amino resin, silicone resin, furan resin, polyurethane resin, and more
　　3. Rubber Industry
　　Products: Natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, cis-butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, silicone rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, chlorinated rubber, natural latex, rubber powder, styrene-butadiene latex, fluororubber
　　4. Chemical Fiber Industry
　　Products: Polyester, nylon, acrylic, vinylon, polypropylene, chlorofiber, spandex, cellulose, viscose fiber, and other fibers, among others.
　　5. Pharmaceutical Chemistry Industry
　　Traditional Chinese medicine, chemical drugs, veterinary medicines (including feed additives), and pharmaceutical raw materials
　　6. Daily Chemical Industry
　　Spices, detergents, cosmetics, food additives (including feed additives)
　　7. Chemical Additives Industry
　　Products: Solvents, reagents, pharmaceuticals, catalysts, adhesives, additives, surfactants, plasticizers, and other specialty additives, among others.
　　8. Coatings and Dye Industry
　　Products: Intermediates, coatings, dyes, pigments, fragrances, tannins, and more
　　9. Information Materials Industry
　　Photosensitive materials, magnetic recording materials, optical recording materials.
　　10. Other Chemical Industries
　　Agricultural chemical industry, fermentation industry, biochemical industry, marine chemical industry, environmental protection chemical industry, pyrotechnic products chemical industry, and more.
　　Categorized by Raw Materials and Products
　　The raw materials and corresponding products in the chemical industry can be categorized into dozens of major types, touching nearly every aspect of the national economy as well as the daily lives of people—covering everything from clothing and food to housing and transportation. Specifically, these include the following:
　　1. Inorganic chemical raw materials: elements, industrial gases, inorganic bases, inorganic acids, inorganic salts, oxides, non-metallic minerals, and other uncategorized inorganic chemical raw materials;
　　2. Chemical minerals: sulfur, potash, phosphate, boron, and other chemical minerals;
　　3. Organic chemical raw materials:
　　Alkanes and their derivatives, alkenes and their derivatives, alkynes and their derivatives;
　　Alcohols, acids, aldehydes, ketones, lipids, ethers, sulfones, amines;
　　Carbohydrates, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, quinones, aromatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives, anhydrides;
　　Organic intermediates, heterocyclic compounds, nitro compounds, halides, and other uncategorized organic chemical raw materials.
　　4. Plastic raw materials:
　　(1) General-purpose plastics: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), ABS; (2) Engineering plastics:
　　Polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyoxymethylene, polyetherimide, polycarbonate, polycarbonate polymers, polyamides, polyester resins, thermoplastic elastomers, color masterbatch recycled materials, and other uncategorized plastic raw materials;
　　5. Rubber raw materials:
　　(1) Natural rubber:
　　General categories: Granulated rubber, flake rubber, air-dried sheet rubber, crinkle-sheet rubber;
　　Specialty types: high-viscosity rubber, oil-filled rubber, low-viscosity rubber, clear rubber, easy-to-handle rubber, carbon-black co-precipitated rubber, purified rubber, clay-co-precipitated rubber, tire rubber, and granular rubber.
　　Modified poorly crystallizable rubber, epoxidized rubber, chlorinated rubber, grafted rubber, liquid rubber, hydrogenated chlorinated rubber, and cyclized rubber;
　　Other plants that produce rubber: silver chrysanthemum rubber, eucommia rubber.
　　(2) Synthetic rubber:
　　Styrene-butadiene rubber, cis-butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, reclaimed rubber, rubber additives, isobutylene-isoprene rubber (SBS), and other uncategorized raw rubber materials;
　　6. Resins: Natural resins, epoxy resins, phenolic resins, acrylic resins, unsaturated polyester resins, ion-exchange resins, amino resins, organosilicon resins, and other uncategorized resins;
　　7. Pharmaceutical raw materials and intermediates
　　8. Petroleum and Petroleum Products: Crude oil, fuel oil, lubricating oils, solvent oils, petroleum coke, paraffin wax, asphalt, refined petroleum products, petroleum-based goods, oil additives, and gaseous petroleum products;
　　9. Chemical Additives: Coating additives, water treatment chemicals, information-related chemicals, additives for the electronics industry, and paper-making additives;
　　(1) Rubber additives: Antioxidants, vulcanizing agents, accelerators, anti-scorch agents, dispersants, and other rubber additives;
　　(2) Plastic additives: flame retardants, heat stabilizers, light stabilizers, antioxidants, colorants, optical brighteners, foaming agents, crosslinking agents, coupling agents, antistatic agents, lubricants, mold release agents, anti-dripping agents, antimicrobial agents, curing agents and curing accelerators, plasticizers, leather additives, textile and dyeing auxiliaries, adsorbents, surfactants, emulsifiers, foaming agents, and metalworking aids.
　　10. Food Additives: Acidity regulators, antioxidants, bleaching agents, colorants, anti-caking agents, antifoaming agents, color protectants, enzyme preparations, emulsifiers, leavening agents, flavor enhancers, preservatives, sweeteners, thickeners, moisture-retaining agents, nutritional fortifiers, and other food additives not yet classified.
　　11. Feed Additives: Nutritional additives, non-nutritional additives, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, antibiotics, antimicrobials, enzyme preparations, antioxidants, mold inhibitors, and other unclassified feed additives;
　　12. Chemical reagents: Ethanol, acetone, potassium permanganate;
　　13. Catalysts: Specialized catalysts, catalyst supports, and other uncategorized catalysts;
　　14. Glass: Deep-processed glass, ordinary glass, architectural glass, specialty glass, and other unclassified glass types;
　　15. Ink
　　16. Fertilizers: Ammonia-based fertilizers, potash fertilizers, phosphate fertilizers, compound fertilizers, organic fertilizers, micronutrient fertilizers, bacterial fertilizers, pesticide-containing fertilizers, plant growth regulators, and other unclassified fertilizers;
　　17. Pesticides: herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, acaricides, rodenticides, formulated mixtures, biopesticides, and other unclassified pesticides;
　　18. Biochemical Engineering: Ceramics, laboratory supplies, pyrotechnic products, other polymers;
　　19. Plastic Products: plastic films, plastic sheets, pellets, rods, plastic tubes, profiled materials, plastic containers, automotive plastics, electronic plastics, and industrial & agricultural plastic products;
　　20. Plastic Building Materials: Plastic crafts, household plastic products, plastic packaging supplies, and other unclassified plastic items;
　　21. Rubber Products: Tires—passenger car tires, truck tires, rickshaw tires, motorcycle tires; rubber belts, rubber hoses; agricultural rubber (latex) products, industrial rubber (latex) products, educational and cultural rubber (latex) products, medical rubber (latex) products, household rubber (latex) items, and sealing rings.
　　22. Daily Chemicals: Fragrance and cosmetic raw materials, makeup products, skincare items, oral care products, hair care products, bath and body care items, soaps, detergents, cleaning agents, fragrances, deodorants, insect repellents and pest control products, plus other unclassified daily chemicals
　　23. Polyurethane: Polyurethane raw materials, PU products, and other uncategorized polyurethanes
　　24. Adhesives: Inorganic adhesives, natural adhesives, synthetic adhesives, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl acetate adhesives, polyurethane adhesives, hot-melt adhesives, resin-based adhesives, acrylic ester adhesives, inorganic adhesives, rubber-type adhesives, phenolic, urea-formaldehyde, and melamine adhesives, as well as other unclassified adhesives.
　　25. Chemical fibers: staple, polyester, nylon, acrylic, spandex, polypropylene, vinylon; acetate fiber, viscose fiber, polyester fiber, functional fibers, man-made fibers, and other unspecified chemical fibers.
　　26. Dyes: Direct dyes, disperse dyes, reactive dyes, acid dyes, cationic dyes, fiber dyes, leather dyes, coating printing pastes, dyes for film stock, and other unclassified dyes;
　　27. Coatings:
　　(1) Architectural coatings: Interior wall latex paint, fire-retardant coatings, waterproof coatings, true stone paint, exterior wall latex paint, anti-mold coatings, floor coatings, elastic paints, and wood coatings.
　　(2) Wood Coatings: Water-based wood paints, furniture paints, floor paints, and polyester paints.
　　(3) Automotive coatings: primer, mid-coat, topcoat, clear coat, and touch-up paint.
　　(4) Marine coatings: hull paint, cabin paint, antifouling paint for ship bottoms, and anti-rust paint for ship bottoms.
　　(5) General-purpose coatings: blending paints, varnishes, light-industry coatings, industrial coatings, rubber paints, magnetic paints, road coatings, and road marking paints.
　　(6) Coating raw materials: titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, aluminum silver paste, lithopone, defoamer, wetting agent, curing agent, pearlescent powder, leveling agent, dispersant,
　　28. Pigments: Inorganic pigments, organic pigments, and other uncategorized pigments;
　　(1) Inorganic pigments: white pigments, black pigments, colored pigments, and other pigments (including extender pigments, effect pigments, anti-corrosion pigments, etc.).
　　(2) Organic pigments: Azo pigments account for 59%, phthalocyanine pigments make up 24%, triarylmethane pigments comprise 8%, special pigments represent 6%, and polycyclic pigments constitute 3%.
　　29. Spices and Fragrances: Natural spices, synthetic spices, food-grade fragrances, everyday-use fragrances, and other unclassified spice and fragrance products;
　　(1) Natural fragrances: animal-derived fragrances, plant-derived fragrances;
　　(2) Synthetic fragrances: Primarily include hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers, acids, esters, lactones, aldehydes, ketones, acetal (ketone) compounds, nitriles, phenols, heterocyclic compounds, and various other sulfur- and nitrogen-containing substances.
　　(3) Edible spices:
　　Based on their fragrance composition, they can be categorized into single-note fragrances and blended fragrances;
　　Based on their form, fragrances can be categorized into water-soluble fragrances (water-based scents), heat-sensitive oil-soluble fragrances (oil-based extracts), emulsified fragrances, and powdered fragrances.
　　Spice and fragrance types can be categorized into citrus-based spices, fruity spices, minty spices, nutty spices, spicy spices, creamy spices, meaty spices, nutty spices, as well as alcoholic and vegetable-inspired spices, among others.
　　Spice compositions are broadly categorized into two main types: natural spices and synthetic spices. Natural spices include essential oils, oleoresins, spice extracts, recovered spices, heated spices, fermented spices, and blended harmonized spices crafted from natural ingredients. Synthetic spices, on the other hand, refer to compounds that have the same chemical structure as their natural counterparts, as well as aromatic substances that mimic natural scents but differ in certain characteristics.
　　30. Chemical Equipment: Specialized equipment for the glass industry, specialized equipment for the rubber industry, storage and transportation systems, reactors, drying equipment, mixing devices, separation units, crushing machinery, heat transfer equipment, pressure vessels, conveying systems, laboratory equipment, refrigeration units, environmental protection equipment, molding machines, chemical instrumentation, complete chemical equipment sets, chemical equipment components, chemical piping systems and fittings, petroleum processing equipment, and other unclassified chemical machinery.
　　31. Plastic production chemical equipment: injection molding machines, blow molding machines, calendering machines, hollow injection molding machines, spraying equipment, pelletizing machines, slitting machines, injection molding auxiliary equipment, other unclassified plastic and chemical machinery, and chemical waste materials;
　　32. Synthetic Pharmaceuticals: Anti-infectives, antipyretic analgesics, vitamin preparations, antiparasitic drugs, hormonal and endocrine system medications, anticancer agents, cardiovascular system drugs, respiratory system medications, central nervous system drugs, digestive system medications, urinary system drugs, fluid management products, electrolyte and acid-base balance regulators, surgical anesthetics, antihistamines and antidotes, biochemicals, disinfectants, antiseptics, and wound-care products for trauma surgery, ophthalmic and otolaryngological medications, dermatological treatments, diagnostic agents, tonics and nutritional supplements, radiopharmaceutical raw materials, finished pharmaceutical products and excipients, as well as other chemical APIs and synthetic drugs.