Top 20 Global Chemical Companies by Revenue in 2025

The 2026 Pump Friends Circle Annual Conference on Rotating Equipment Operation Management and Innovative Applications, jointly organized by Pump Friends Circle and Sulzer Services China Division, will be held at the Shangri-La Hotel Suzhou from June 10–12, 2026 (registration on June 10). This year’s conference centers on two key themes—'New Quality Productive Forces' and 'Equipment Upgrading and Retrofitting'—aiming to build an efficient platform for insight into industry trends, knowledge sharing, and collaboration. This year’s conference is supported by KSB, Ebara, Wilo, Hayward Tyler, Seko, Southern Pump Industry, Haozhuo Pump Industry, Danfoss, Innomine, INOVANCE Technology, Langyang Technology, Hammelmann, Huidu Intelligence, Chishield, and Zhongyi Wude. In 2025, the global chemical industry as a whole continued the trend of 'revenue growth without profit growth.' Performance among 59 leading domestic and international companies showed marked divergence—some achieved countercyclical growth by divesting non-core businesses, while others faced severe challenges due to rising costs and weak market demand—sparking deep concern over shifting industry dynamics. (I) Global Chemical Giants: Profitability Reigns Supreme; the Strong Get Stronger Globally, the effects of market consolidation are bearing fruit. Linde delivered an outstanding performance in 2025, achieving full-year revenue of $34 billion—a 3% year-on-year increase—and a record high. Its operating margin approached 30%, underscoring the industrial gas giant’s exceptional profitability and resilience. PPG also performed impressively, with net profit surging 17% to $1.571 billion—the highest in recent years. By contrast, BASF—the industry’s long-standing leader—had a steady year. Its full-year revenue totaled €59.657 billion (approximately $70 billion); although sales declined slightly year-on-year, its net profit attributable to shareholders doubled to €1.313 billion, reflecting robust core profitability. (II) Agrochemicals & European Segment: Bright Spots Amidst a Winter Companies in Europe and the agrochemical sector demonstrated strong resilience. Syngenta reported full-year revenue of $28.4 billion; excluding its strategically scaled-back low-margin grain trading business, actual revenue grew 2% year-on-year—highlighting stability in its core operations. DSM-Firmenich maintained revenue at approximately €9 billion, essentially flat versus last year. Amid this cyclical industry downturn, multiple firms opted to sell non-core assets to secure cash flow and sharpen strategic focus on high-margin core businesses—a move gradually reshaping the competitive landscape of the global chemical industry. (III) Chinese Strength: Rongsheng Petrochemical Soars Against the Tide, Turning Profitable in Q3 Among the 59 companies, Chinese enterprises stood out notably. Rongsheng Petrochemical emerged as the undisputed 'Revenue Champion' in this earnings roundup, posting full-year revenue of RMB 308.622 billion—ranking third among the top ten industry players, behind only the two national oil companies. More importantly, its net profit attributable to shareholders rose 17.09% year-on-year to RMB 848 million, signaling that its strategic pivot toward new materials is beginning to yield tangible results.

Linde’s Q1 Sales Reach $8.1 Billion, with Strong Performance in the Americas

First-quarter operating profit amounted to $2.184 billion; adjusted operating profit increased 4% year-on-year to $2.438 billion, driven by price increases and sustained productivity initiatives across all business segments. Adjusted operating margin stood at 30.1%, up 120 basis points year-on-year. Strong Performance in the Americas in Q1 By region, the Americas delivered robust performance in Q1, with sales up 3% year-on-year. Sales in the Asia-Pacific region declined 1%, while those in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) fell 3%. Sales in the Americas reached $3.666 billion in Q1, up 3% year-on-year. This growth stemmed from a 3% price increase and a 1% volume gain—primarily in the electronics, chemicals, and energy end markets—resulting in a 4% increase in underlying sales. Operating profit totaled $1.137 billion, representing 31.0% of sales—40 basis points higher than the prior-year period. Asia-Pacific sales totaled $1.539 billion, down 3% year-on-year. Underlying sales declined 1%, as stable pricing was offset by a 1% volume decline—mainly in the metals, mining, and manufacturing end markets. Operating profit amounted to $451 million, or 29.3% of sales—120 basis points higher than last year. EMEA sales totaled $2.031 billion, down 3% year-on-year. Underlying sales declined 1%, as a 2% price increase was more than offset by a 3% volume decline—primarily in the metals & mining, and chemicals & energy end markets. Operating profit reached $722 million, or 35.5% of sales—260 basis points higher than the prior-year period. Linde CEO Commentary: Sailing Against the Wind—Industry-Leading Return on Capital

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Linde plc, the world's largest industrial gas supplier, leverages long-term contracts and high switching costs to ensure predictable cash flows. The company's strategy supports a continued path for profitable growth despite the commodity nature of its products.

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Linde Expected to Have Long Runway for Profitable Growth

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