Ranking of the Biggest Chemical Corporations Globally in 2025
In the ever-evolving world of chemistry, a few key players continue to dominate the market in 2025. Here's a look at some of the leading chemical companies and their roles in various industries.
Sinopec, the China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, remains the largest chemical company globally by revenue, with annual revenues exceeding £295 billion in 2024. This Chinese conglomerate's chemical operations are expanding in tandem with China's economy, making it one of the world's largest chemical producers.
BASF, based in Ludwigshafen, Germany, is the second-largest chemical firm worldwide by revenue. Known for its diversified chemicals and innovation, BASF reported approximately €68.9 billion in revenues in 2023.
The third spot is held by the Dow Chemical Company, significant in plastics and performance chemicals, with about $44.6 billion in revenues. Dow Inc., headquartered in Midland, Michigan, operates in three segments: packaging and specialty plastics, industrial intermediates and infrastructure, and performance materials and coatings.
LyondellBasell, a major player in polymers and petrochemicals, comes in fourth with approximately $41.1 billion in revenues. Reliance Industries, an Indian conglomerate with a large involvement in the petrochemical industry, rounds out the top five. The "Oil to Chemicals" (O2C) business is a key revenue driver for Reliance Industries.
Other companies in the top 10 include LG Chem Ltd and Sherwin-Williams, though their exact rankings may vary slightly between sources. Formosa Plastics, one of the most important chemical companies in Taiwan, primarily focuses on the manufacturing of plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC resins.
SABIC, mostly owned by Saudi Aramco, is one of the most significant petrochemical manufacturers in the world, utilizing its strategic access to feedstock to produce metals, polymers, fertilizers, and chemicals. Linde plc, among the largest chemical entities in the world, delivers chemicals, equipment, and technology for a variety of industrial processes in addition to its engineering and industrial gases industries.
ExxonMobil, with a significant chemical division, manufactures a wide variety of petrochemicals, including aromatics, polyolefins, and olefins, catering to a wide variety of markets around the world. Shin-Etsu Chemical, a significant player in the Japanese chemical industry, specializes in the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and semiconductor silicon wafers.
The global chemical industry in 2025 experiences a mature market phase with nearly flat total sales but profitability gains and increased investment in innovation and capacity expansion are signs of optimism for future performance. Despite slow demand growth and oversupply conditions, the top 10 chemical companies maintain strong but largely stable market positions.
References: 1. Chemical & Engineering News 2. ICIS 3. Statista 4. Forbes
- The chemical industry, as depicted by leading companies like Sinopec, BASF, Dow Chemical Company, and LyondellBasell, plays a significant role in finance and business, with high revenue figures and expansive operations across various industries.
- In the realm of finance, global chemical giants such as SABIC, ExxonMobil, and Linde plc, with their diverse product offerings, contribute significantly to the economy, while investing in innovation and capacity expansion for future gains.
