This major group includes establishments engaged in the production and processing of chemicals and related products through predominantly chemical methods. It encompasses three main categories: (1) basic chemicals such as acids, alkalies, salts, and organic compounds; (2) intermediate chemical products used in further manufacturing, including synthetic fibers, resins, and pigments; and (3) finished chemical products for end use, such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, soaps, fertilizers, and paints. These products serve both consumer markets and industrial applications across various sectors.
Establishments primarily involved in extracting natural chemical materials, such as natural alkalies, rock salt, or boron compounds, are classified under Mining (Industry Group 147). Manufacturers focusing on nonferrous metals and high-percentage ferroalloys are listed under Major Group 33, while those producing silicon carbide belong to Major Group 32. Producers of leavening compounds or starches fall under Major Group 20, and manufacturers of artists’ colors are categorized in Major Group 39. Companies engaged only in packaging or bottling purchased chemicals without manufacturing are classified within Wholesale or Retail Trade.
Industry Group 281: Industrial Inorganic Chemicals
- 2812 Alkalies and Chlorine
- 2813 Industrial Gases
- 2816 Inorganic Pigments
- 2819 Industrial Inorganic Chemicals, Not Elsewhere Classified
Industry Group 282: Plastics Materials and Synthetic Resins, Synthetic
- 2821 Plastics Materials, Synthetic Resins, and Nonvulcanizable Elastomers
- 2822 Synthetic Rubber (Vulcanizable Elastomers)
- 2823 Cellulosic Manmade Fibers
- 2824 Manmade Organic Fibers, Except Cellulosic
Industry Group 283: Drugs
- 2833 Medicinal Chemicals and Botanical Products
- 2834 Pharmaceutical Preparations
- 2835 In Vitro and In Vivo Diagnostic Substances
- 2836 Biological Products, Except Diagnostic Substances
Industry Group 284: Soap, Detergents, and Cleaning Preparations; Perfumes, Cosmetics, and Other Toilet Preparations
- 2841 Soap and Other Detergents, Except Specialty Cleaners
- 2842 Specialty Cleaning, Polishing, and Sanitation Preparations
- 2843 Surface Active Agents, Finishing Agents, Sulfonated Oils, and Assistants
- 2844 Perfumes, Cosmetics, and Other Toilet Preparations
Industry Group 285: Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels, and Allied Products
- 2851 Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels, and Allied Products
Industry Group 286: Industrial Organic Chemicals
- 2861 Gum and Wood Chemicals
- 2865 Cyclic Organic Crudes and Intermediates, and Organic Dyes and Pigments
- 2869 Industrial Organic Chemicals, Not Elsewhere Classified
Industry Group 287: Agricultural Chemicals
- 2873 Nitrogenous Fertilizers
- 2874 Phosphatic Fertilizers
- 2875 Fertilizers, Mixing Only
- 2879 Pesticides and Agricultural Chemicals, Not Elsewhere Classified
Industry Group 289: Miscellaneous Chemical Products
- 2891 Adhesives and Sealants
- 2892 Explosives
- 2893 Printing Ink
- 2895 Carbon Black
- 2899 Chemicals and Chemical Preparations, Not Elsewhere Classified