Chemistry is the study of substances, their properties, structures and transformations. It forms the basis of science to deal with the production of materials in the industries. Chemical engineers study components of substances and they learn how to combine them to produce new materials. Chemical reactions are used to make materials like medicines, plastic, dyes, etc. Chemicals are produced by combining simple substances called elements into more complicated substances called compounds and are used as raw materials by the chemists. Nowadays chemical compounds like medicinal drugs, fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, sugar substitute and soap are used commonly.

These chemicals are utilized by the manufacturing industries for production of food, textiles, drugs, agricultural products, petroleum, chemical metallurgy and machinery, rubber, plastics, soap, paper, fuels, aromatics and paints.

With the passage of time chemical substances are gaining importance and the requirement of using these substances is increasing. This is leading to an increase in the demand of chemical engineers. Chemical industries are classified in different forms; organic and inorganic chemistry. Chemical industries are the main suppliers to industries manufacturing allied products which manufacture organic or inorganic chemistry. The industry is classified according to the end user of the product such as chemicals for pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, agriculture etc.

Chemical industries manufacturing basic chemicals have a large production workforce while the industries manufacturing finished products have strong administrative, marketing and managerial personnel.