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Chemicals

Chemicals is a broad industrial sector encompassing the manufacture, processing and distribution of chemical substances used across virtually every segment of the global economy. The industry transforms raw materials such as crude oil, natural gas, minerals, metals and biomass into thousands of products ranging from basic commodity chemicals to specialised fine chemicals and advanced materials. Major subsectors include petrochemicals, agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, industrial gases, polymers, fertilisers, paints and coatings, and specialty chemicals for electronics, water treatment and construction. Chemical manufacturing is capital-intensive and energy-intensive, making it particularly sensitive to electricity costs and supply reliability. In South Africa, the chemicals sector is a significant contributor to industrial output and employment, with major production hubs in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. The industry supplies critical inputs to mining, agriculture, manufacturing and infrastructure development across the continent. Persistent loadshedding and rising energy costs have challenged the competitiveness of South African chemical producers, prompting investments in energy efficiency and on-site generation. Global trends include a shift towards sustainable chemistry, circular economy principles and the decarbonisation of production processes. The sector is represented by industry bodies such as the Chemical and Allied Industries Association in South Africa, which advocates for policy frameworks that support growth, safety standards and environmental stewardship.

Chemicals News


Steelworker at smelter
Chinese coal disaster to ripple through steel, power, chemicals
28th May 2026 By: Bloomberg

The Shanxi coal disaster is likely to hit Chinese output in the short term, raising costs for steelmakers, power plants and chemicals manufacturers. The explosion at a coking coal mine that killed... 


Fertiliser manufactured by Omnia being moved on a farm
Omnia reports strong cash position, flags higher full-year earnings
25th May 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

JSE-listed Omnia expects to report a 21% to 27% increase in earnings per share (EPS) to between R8.37 and R8.79 for the financial year ended March 31, compared with the EPS of R6.92 reported for... 


Iron-ore operation in Brazil
Brazil proposes three-phase carbon market rollout starting 2027
20th May 2026 By: Reuters

Brazil's Finance Ministry on Tuesday released a preliminary proposal for phased sectoral coverage of the country's regulated carbon market, outlining which industries will be required to report... 


Comprehensive modular thermometer portfolio for industrial temperature measurement
Comprehensive modular thermometer portfolio for industrial temperature measurement
19th May 2026

Endress+Hauser introduces iTHERM ModuLine, a versatile portfolio of modular thermometers designed for both general and demanding industrial applications. With only seven product variants, the range... 


HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ChemSec’s latest study showed that chemicals companies are looking to reduce the use of hazardous substances as part of their long-term business sustainability strategies
Reduction in hazardous substances prioritised
13th March 2026

Several global chemical producers are starting to prioritise a reduction in hazardous substances, as part of long-term business sustainability strategies, sustainability organisation ChemSec noted... 


equipment maintenance
Predictive maintenance improves plant reliability
13th March 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

Equipment reliability is key to maintaining continuous production in chemicals plants, says electrical engineering company Delba Electrical marketing spokesperson Mike Lerios. Amid South Africa’s... 


BASF increases reliability, R&D ability with upgraded dispersions plant in Durban
BASF increases reliability, R&D ability with upgraded dispersions plant in Durban
9th March 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Chemicals group BASF on March 4 unveiled its expanded production facility for dispersions in Durban, which strengthens the company’s ability to supply customers with high-quality dispersions used... 


Process safety is a cornerstone of industrial resilience, sustainability
16th January 2026

Companies that treat process safety as a compliance exercise are missing the point entirely. It is not about meeting standards, but whether an operation can survive the next decade.   Chemical and... 


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