This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in converting feedstocks derived from petroleum, or from petroleum and natural gas liquids, into petrochemicals. Some important processes used in petrochemical manufacturing include steam cracking and steam reforming. For the purpose of defining this industry, petrochemicals consist of acyclic (aliphatic) hydrocarbons and cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing industrial organic and inorganic gases in compressed, liquid and solid forms.

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing synthetic organic and inorganic dyes, pigments, lakes and toners.

This industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other industry, primarily engaged in manufacturing basic inorganic chemicals.

This industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other industry, primarily engaged in manufacturing basic organic chemicals. Establishments primarily engaged in coal tar distillation, the distillation of wood products or the manufacture of ethanol (ethyl alcohol) for non-beverage use are included. The main products of this class are vinyl chloride, methanol, alicyclic hydrocarbon, ethylene glycol, fatty acids and esters.