Industrial materials and chemicals are referred to all those materials as well as chemicals that are widely used for industrial purposes. While materials comprise of metals, ceramics, adhesives, polymers, composites, glasses or other specialty materials in raw stock or finished forms, industrial chemicals include all those organic and inorganic molecular building blocks that are used in processing materials and adhesives.

Types of Industrial Chemicals and Materials

Some of the most commonly available materials and chemicals that are used for large scale industrial purposes are -

Abrasive and Abrasive Products – These types of industrial materials are often minerals that are used to shape or finish a workpiece through rubbing which leads to part of the workpiece being worn away. Abrasives are extremely common materials that are used extensively in a wide array of industrial, domestic, and technological applications.

Ceramics – All those inorganic and non metallic solid that is prepared by the action of heating as well as cooling fall in this category. Usually they are crystalline structures that are produced by the fusion or sintering of mineral substances in a kiln or hard, heat resistant substances such as fire clay, bricks or blocks.

Chemicals Raw Materials – All those chemicals that are used in processing materials and adhesives are known as chemicals raw materials. They can be organic as well as inorganic and their counterparts include fillers, minerals, gases, and specialized chemical additives.

Composite Textiles and Reinforcements – This types of industrial materials and chemicals are installed in the construction of composites like matrix resins, fillers, reinforcements, textiles, fibers, reinforcements and core materials. This kind of industrial materials includes finished composite materials as well as component materials.

Industrial Oils and Lubricants – In the segment of industrial chemicals, the category of industrial oils and lubricants include all those oils that are extensively used for heat transfer, lubrication, power transmission or specialized applications.

Plastics, Elastomer and Polymers – This type of industrial chemicals and materials comprise of those organic synthetics or processed materials that consist of thermoplastic or thermosetting resins that can be made into or supplied as shapes, film, sheet, rod, tube or fiber.

Besides the above mentioned categories there are various other classification in the industry of chemicals and raw materials. They are surface finishing products, stock fabricated materials components, metal alloys, industrial specialty gases, industrial adhesives, coatings and adhesives.

Industry Growth

The industrial materials and chemical industry has witnessed as exponential growth in the past fifty years. While the typical growth rates for basic chemicals are about 0.5 to 0.7 times GDP, the Polymers constitute about 30% of the basic chemicals dollar value. It has been found that the industrial material and chemical industry has grown 8.2% in the past two years of 2003-2004, compared to the 6.9% of the general manufacturing sector. The global trends of closer integration among the oil, gas and chemical industries have also induced the manufacturers and suppliers of these industrial materials and chemicals to expand their markets and facilitate the development of integrated industries.

Applications

The use of industrial materials and chemicals is not confined to a specific industry. In fact it is the great versatility of these materials that make them an indispensable product in any industry all over the world. While Polymers are used in the manufacturing of home construction, containers, appliances, pipe, transportation, toys, and games Polypropylene is used principally for appliances and packaging as well as toys and recreation. Heat resistance chemicals and materials are used in the construction of composites such as matrix resins, fillers and reinforcements. The scope of application of the industrial materials and chemicals is very wide.

Major Market Players

US is indeed the major market for industrial materials and chemicals in the world. There are around 170 major chemical companies that operate internationally with more than 2,800 facilities outside the U.S. and 1,700 foreign subsidiaries or affiliates operating. The output of industrial chemicals in US alone is $400 billion a year. Next in line is Germany in Europe where industrial chemicals and materials industry in the largest one. Germany generates about 3.2 million jobs in more than 60,000 companies that are related to the industrial chemicals market. Some of the countries that too are catching up in the race are China, India, Korea, the Middle East, South East Asia, Nigeria, Trinidad, Thailand, Brazil, Venezuela, and Indonesia.

Industrial Materials and Chemical Association

American Institute of Chemical Engineers – Having a membership of more than 40,000 members from 93 countries, AIChE is the world's leading organization for chemical engineering professionals. Having a wide information on core process industries or emerging areas, such as nano biotechnology, the members of American Institute of Chemical Engineers can access information on recognized and promising chemical engineering processes and methods. The global reach of the company ensures learning opportunities from recognized authorities.

California Construction and Industrial Materials Association – California Construction and Industrial Materials Association, fondly known as CalCIMA is a non-profit member organization that was formed in January of 2007. Came to existence for California Construction and Industrial Materials Producers, Suppliers and Service Providers, this trade association serves as the statewide voice for aggregates, ready-mixed concrete and other industrial materials companies. CalCIMA has offices in Sacramento and South Pasadena.

ASM Materials Information Society – Established in 1913 by a few steel heat treaters, ASM Materials Information Society has come a long way. Located in downtown of Cleveland, this trade association has been an innovator and leader in providing high-quality information regarding the materials community. The members of ASM International continue to share information and ideas that advance the study, development and application of materials and processes. The members drive the organization at all levels from local chapters to our Affiliate Societies to the national committees and councils of ASM itself.

Industrial Materials and Chemicals Publications

Chemical Engineering Progress – This publication is the flagship initiative of AIChe that includes all the practical information that one can need regarding the industrial chemicals. Be it the technological advances in the chemical process or other related industries, everything is available. By becoming a member of American Institute of Chemical Engineers, one can directly avail this publication. Every issue of CEP is filled with relevant information regarding technical issues like safety, environmental management, fluids and solids handling, reactions and separations, information technology, and more.

American Chemical Society Journal – American Chemical Society also sobriquet as ACS is a leading publisher of peer-reviewed research in the chemical and related sciences, serving scientific communities worldwide through a commitment to quality, reliability, and innovation. This publication division of American Chemical Society provides the worldwide scientific community with a comprehensive collection of the most cited peer-reviewed journals in the chemical and related sciences.