ICIS Ranked Global Chemical Companies for 2025
The 2025 chemical industry rankings highlighted significant financial struggles across major firms.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Chemistry
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ICIS released its 2025 ranking of the 100 largest chemical companies, a period characterized by major sector financial declines. BASF topped the list with $70 billion in sales, while the industry as a whole faced significant pressure.
Why it matters
Weak demand, excess capacity, and intensifying competition collectively pressured prices and profit margins throughout 2025. Future success for companies in this sector remains dependent on the efficient use of feedstock, energy, and capital.
The top five firms were BASF at $70 billion, Sinopec at $66.3 billion, ExxonMobil at $53.4 billion, PetroChina at $42.1 billion, and Dow at $40 billion. Combined operating profit for the top 100 firms declined by 47% compared to the prior period.
The players
BASF
Headquartered in Germany, this organization ranked first on the 2025 ICIS list.
Sinopec
This major energy and chemical corporation ranked second in the 2025 global assessment.
ExxonMobil
This multinational oil and gas corporation held the third position in the 2025 rankings.
Dow
This global materials science company ranked fifth on the 2025 list of the largest chemical producers.
ICIS
This organization publishes industry benchmarks and annual rankings for the global chemical sector.
The details
BASF secured the first position while Chinese companies held four of the top 10 spots, indicating a shift in the industry's center of gravity. Meanwhile, Iran is looking to improve its global competitiveness by adopting artificial intelligence and focusing on higher-value-added specialty products.
Timeline
The ICIS chemical company rankings and sector financial performance period occurred throughout 2025.
The Big Picture
The 2025 ICIS chemical company ranking provides the baseline for measuring how individual corporate strategy has evolved following the sector-wide 47% profit contraction. This report documents a fundamental shift in the industry's center of gravity toward Asian markets.
Future shifts toward artificial intelligence and high-value-added products in the chemical sector may eventually lower production costs and lead to more specialized consumer materials. These technological adoptions could eventually impact pricing for raw materials across global supply chains.
The takeaway
Industry players are prioritizing efficiency in capital and energy use to combat persistent market pressures. Companies are increasingly turning to advanced technologies to remain competitive amidst declining net income trends.
Further reading
For additional context on the latest industry analysis, visit the Chemistry section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by IranOilGas Network.
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