Industrial Chemical Companies

Industrial chemical companies are that portion of the economy that produces industrial quality chemicals by the process of converting raw materials (oil, natural gas, air, water, metals and minerals) into more than 70,000 different products for sale worldwide. These companies also use these raw materials to produce chemicals to make a wide variety of consumer goods, as well as thousands of product inputs into the agriculture, manufacturing, construction, and service industries. 

The industrial chemical companies' major industrial customers include rubber and plastic products, textiles, apparel, petroleum refining, pulp and paper, and primary metals companies. The total industrial chemical business exceeds $3 trillion globally. 

Total sales of the chemical business can be divided into a few broad categories, including basic chemicals (about 35 to 37 percent of the dollar output), life sciences (30 percent), specialty chemicals (20 to 25 percent) and consumer products (about 10 percent).

Listed below are six of the largest industrial chemical companies in operation today. Each of these deserve further research and analysis. The information below as well as the links to additional information, the company's websites, and price charts are a good starting point for further study. I'm pretty sure there's at least one great investment listed here. 

1. The Dow Chemical Company manufactures and supplies products that are used primarily as raw materials in the manufacture of customer products and services worldwide. It operates through Agricultural Sciences, Consumer Solutions, Infrastructure Solutions, Performance Materials & Chemicals, and Performance Plastics segments. The Agricultural Sciences segment provides crop protection and seed/plant biotechnology products and technologies, urban pest management solutions and healthy oils, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, and seeds. The Consumer Solutions segment offers semiconductors and organic light-emitting diodes, and adhesives and foams used by the transportation industry; and cellulosics for pharmaceutical formulations and food solutions. It serves automotive, electronics and entertainment, healthcare and medical, and personal and home care goods markets. The Infrastructure Solutions segment provides architectural and industrial coating applications, building insulation, adhesives, and microbial protection products for the oil and gas industry; water purification and separation technologies, such as reverse osmosis membranes and ion exchange resins; and monomer products. The Performance Materials & Chemicals segment offers chlorine and caustic soda; chlorinated organic products and solutions; epoxy resins, curing agents, intermediates, and systems; industrial solutions; and propylene oxides, propylene glycols, polyether polyols, and aromatic isocyanates. The Performance Plastics segment provides elastomers, polyolefin plastomers, and ethylene propylene diene monomer elastomers; wire and cable insulation, semiconductive, and jacketing compound solutions, as well as bio-based plasticizers; acrylics, polyethylene, polyolefin emulsions, and polyolefin plastomers; and ethylene, propylene, benzene, butadiene, cumene, octene, aromatics co-products, and crude c4. The company was founded in 1897 and is headquartered in Midland, Michigan. 
(Summary) (Company) (Daily Chart)

10 May 2015
Price $51.85
1yr Target $54.95
Analysts 20
1yr Cap Gain 5.97%
Dividend $1.68
Yield 3.24%
1yr Est Tot Return 9.21%
1yr DivGR 19.53%
3yr DivGR 19.13%
5yr DivGR 20.58%
P/E 16.25
PEG 1.89

Market Cap $59.73 Bil
Beta 1.70
EPS (ttm) $3.19
Payout Ratio 52.66%
EPS next yr $3.59
Forward P/E 14.46
Debt/Equity 1.09
ROA 5.60%
ROE 18.90%
ROI 10.30%
Sales $56.08 Bil
Income $3.84 Bil
Profit Margin 6.84%

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2. Praxair, Inc. produces, sells, and distributes atmospheric, process, and specialty gases, as well as surface coatings in North America, Europe, South America, and Asia. The company offers atmospheric gases, such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and rare gases; and process gases comprising carbon dioxide, helium, hydrogen, electronic gases, specialty gases, and acetylene. It also designs, engineers, and builds equipment that produces industrial gases; and manufactures precious metal and ceramic sputtering targets used primarily in the production of semiconductors. In addition, the company supplies wear-resistant and high-temperature corrosion-resistant metallic and ceramic coatings and powders to the aircraft, energy, printing, primary metals, petrochemical, textile, and other industries. Further, it provides electric arc, plasma, and high-velocity oxy-fuel equipment; and distributes hardgoods and welding equipment purchased from independent manufacturers. The company sells its products primarily through independent distributors. It serves various industries, such as healthcare, petroleum refining, computer-chip manufacturing, beverage carbonation, fiber-optics, steel making, aerospace, chemicals, and water treatment. The company was founded in 1907 and is headquartered in Danbury, Connecticut.
(Summary) (Company) (Daily Chart)

10 May 2015
Price $121.02
1yr Target $134.11
Analysts 18
1yr Cap Gain 10.81%
Dividend $2.86
Yield 2.36%
1yr Est Tot Return 13.17%
1yr DivGR 8.33%
3yr DivGR 21.40%
5yr DivGR 16.72%
P/E 21.42
PEG 2.26

Market Cap $34.89 Bil
Beta 0.79
EPS (ttm) $5.65
Payout Ratio 50.61%
EPS next yr $6.79
Forward P/E 17.82
Debt/Equity 1.87
ROA 8.30%
ROE 27.60%
ROI 12.90%
Sales $12.00 Bil
Income $1.66 Bil
Profit Margin 13.83%

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3. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. provides atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, equipment, and services worldwide. The company operates in Merchant Gases, Tonnage Gases, Electronics and Performance Materials, and Equipment and Energy segments. The Merchant Gases segment sells atmospheric gases, such as oxygen, nitrogen, and argon; process gases, such as hydrogen, helium, and carbon dioxide; specialty gases; temporary gas supply services; and equipment for the metals, glass, electronics, chemical processing, food processing, healthcare, general manufacturing, and petroleum and natural gas industries. The Tonnage Gases segment offers hydrogen, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, oxygen, and syngas to the energy production and refining, chemical, and metallurgical industries. The Electronics and Performance Materials segment provides nitrogen trifluoride, arsine, phosphine, white ammonia, silicon tetrafluoride, carbon tetrafluoride, hexafluoroethane, tungsten hexafluoride, and critical etch gases; and tonnage gases, chemicals mechanical planarization slurries, specialty chemicals, services, and equipment for the manufacture of silicon and compound semiconductors and thin film transistor liquid crystal displays. This segment offers performance materials for a range of products, including coatings, inks, adhesives, civil engineering, personal care, institutional and industrial cleaning, mining, oil refining, and polyurethanes. The Equipment and Energy segment designs, manufactures, and sells cryogenic equipment for air separation, hydrocarbon recovery and purification, natural gas liquefaction, and helium distribution to the petrochemical manufacturing, oil and gas recovery and processing, and steel and primary metals processing industries. This segment also provides plant design, engineering, procurement, and construction management services. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. was founded in 1940 and is headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
(Summary) (Company) (Daily Chart)

10 May 2015
Price $147.97
1yr Target $151.63
Analysts 16
1yr Cap Gain 2.47%
Dividend $3.24
Yield 2.18%
1yr Est Tot Return 4.65%
1yr DivGR 8.45%
3yr DivGR 9.80%
5yr DivGR 11.34%
P/E 31.02
PEG 2.59

Market Cap $31.71 Bil
Beta 1.21
EPS (ttm) $4.77
Payout Ratio 67.92%
EPS next yr $7.32
Forward P/E 20.21
Debt/Equity 0.83
ROA 5.80%
ROE 13.90%
ROI 7.10%
Sales $10.29 Bil
Income $1.03 Bil
Profit Margin 10.00%

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4. Eastman Chemical Company, a specialty chemical company, manufactures and sells materials, chemicals, and fibers in the United States and internationally. The company’s Additives & Functional Products segment offers solvents, such as specialty coalescents and ketones and esters, glycol ethers, and alcohol solvents; cellulose and polyester-based specialty polymers, and paint additives; insoluble sulfur products; antidegradants; hydrocarbon resins; specialty intermediates, performance products, and formic acid; and alkylamine derivatives. This segment’s products are used in coatings and tire industries in transportation, building and construction, durable goods, and consumables markets. Its Adhesives & Plasticizers segment manufactures adhesives resins and plasticizers used in the consumables, building and construction, health and wellness, industrial chemicals and processing, and durable goods markets. The company’ Advanced Materials segment provides specialty copolyesters, cellulose esters, interlayers, and aftermarket window film products for value-added end uses in transportation, consumables, building and construction, durable goods, and health and wellness products. Its Fibers segment offers Estron acetate tow and Estrobond triacetin plasticizers for manufacturing cigarette filters; Estron natural and Chromspun solutions dyed acetate yarns for use in apparel, home furnishings, and industrial fabrics; and cellulose acetate flake and acetyl raw materials, as well as acetyl chemical products. Its Specialty Fluids & Intermediates segment provides specialty fluids, acetyl chemical intermediates, olefin derivatives, specialty fluids, and alkylamines used in industrial chemicals and processing, building and construction, health and wellness, and agriculture markets. This segment also offers aviation turbine oil. The company also offers wet-laid nonwovens and specialty films. Eastman Chemical Company was founded in 1920 and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee.
(Summary) (Company) (Daily Chart)

10 May 2015
Price $80.08
1yr Target $87.66
Analysts 16
1yr Cap Gain 9.46%
Dividend $1.60
Yield 1.99%
1yr Est Tot Return 11.45%
1yr DivGR 16.00%
3yr DivGR 14.38%
5yr DivGR 27.37%
P/E 16.21
PEG 2.02

Market Cap $11.93 Bil
Beta 1.81
EPS (ttm) $4.94
Payout Ratio 32.38%
EPS next yr $7.65
Forward P/E 10.47
Debt/Equity 2.15
ROA 5.70%
ROE 20.00%
ROI 8.40%
Sales $9.53 Bil
Income $749.00 Mil
Profit Margin 7.85%

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5. Airgas, Inc. supplies industrial, medical and specialty gases, and hard goods. The company operates through two segments, Distribution and All Other Operations. The Distribution segment offers industrial, medical, and specialty gases, as well as hard goods, such as welding equipment and related products, consumables and equipment, safety products, construction supplies, and maintenance, repair, and operating supplies. It offers atmospheric gases, including nitrogen, oxygen, and argon; helium; hydrogen; welding and fuel gases, such as acetylene, propylene, and propane; carbon dioxide; nitrous oxide; various gases; special application blends; and process chemicals. This segment also rents gas cylinders, cryogenic liquid containers, bulk storage tanks, tube trailers, and welding-related and other equipment. The All Other Operations segment produces carbon dioxide, dry ice, and nitrous oxide; distributes refrigerants, and anhydrous and aqua ammonia; and provides technical and refrigerant reclamation services. The company markets its products and services through various sales channels, including branch-based sales representatives, retail stores, strategic customer account programs, telesales, catalogs, e-business, and independent distributors. It serves various industries, including manufacturing and metal fabrication; non-residential construction; life sciences and healthcare; food, beverage, and retail; energy and chemical production and distribution; basic materials and services; and government and other industries. The company has operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Russia, Dubai, and European countries. Airgas, Inc. was founded in 1982 and is based in Radnor, Pennsylvania.
(Summary) (Company) (Daily Chart)

10 May 2015
Price $100.87
1yr Target $110.85
Analysts 13
1yr Cap Gain 9.89%
Dividend $2.40
Yield 2.37%
1yr Est Tot Return 12.26%
1yr DivGR 15.76%
3yr DivGR 20.18%
5yr DivGR 24.92%
P/E 20.67
PEG 2.10

Market Cap $7.58 Bil
Beta 0.62
EPS (ttm) $4.88
Payout Ratio 49.18%
EPS next yr $5.93
Forward P/E 17.00
Debt/Equity 1.19
ROA 6.30%
ROE 18.80%
ROI 9.50%
Sales $5.27 Bil
Income $368.70 Mil
Profit Margin 6.98%

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6. FMC Corporation provides solutions, applications, and products for the agricultural, consumer, and industrial markets in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates through three segments: FMC Agricultural Solutions, FMC Health and Nutrition, and FMC Lithium. The FMC Agricultural Solutions segment develops, manufactures, and sells crop protection, professional pest control, and lawn and garden products, such as insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. This segment’s insecticides are used to protect crops, including cotton, sugarcane, rice, corn, soybeans, cereals, fruits, and vegetables from insects; and for non-agricultural applications, such as pest control for home, garden, and other specialty markets. Its herbicides are used to protect crops from weed growth, as well as for non-agricultural applications, including turf and roadsides; and fungicides are used to protect crops from fungal disease. The FMC Health and Nutrition segment offers microcrystalline cellulose for use in drug dry tablet binder and disintegrant, and food ingredients; carrageenan for use in food ingredient for thickening and stabilizing, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical encapsulates; alginates for food ingredient, pharmaceutical excipient, healthcare, and industrial uses; natural colorants for use in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics; pectin for food ingredients for texture and stabilizing; and Omega-3 EPA/DHA for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical uses. The FMC Lithium segment offers lithium for use in batteries, polymers, pharmaceuticals, greases and lubricants, glass and ceramics, and other industrial uses. FMC Corporation was founded in 1884 and is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
(Summary) (Company) (Daily Chart)

10 May 2015
Price $60.95
1yr Target $65.09
Analysts 11
1yr Cap Gain 6.79%
Dividend $0.66
Yield 1.08%
1yr Est Tot Return 7.87%
1yr DivGR 11.11%
3yr DivGR 25.70%
5yr DivGR 19.13%
P/E 20.66
PEG 1.97

Market Cap $8.14 Bil
Beta 1.13
EPS (ttm) $2.95
Payout Ratio 22.37%
EPS next yr $4.45
 P/E 13.70
Debt/Equity 1.10
ROA 7.20%
ROE 22.60%
ROI 14.70%
Sales $4.04 Bil
Income $396.00 Bil
Profit Margin 9.80%

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