Chemical industry

Chemical industry includes industries involved in the production of petrochemicals, agrochemicals[?], pharmaceuticals, polymers, paints, etc. Chemical processes are used, including reactions to form new substances, separations based on properties such as solubility or ionic charge[?], distillations, transformations by heating, etc.

Chemical industries involve the processing of or change in raw materials obtained by mining, agriculture, etc. into materials and substances that are useful on their own or in other industries. The food-processing industries are generally not included in the term "chemical industry".