A specialty chemical generally has one or two core applications. A commodity chemical, on the other hand, may be utilized in dozens of different ways. These ‘run-of-the-mill’ chemicals are just that: common, everyday chemicals that can be and are mass produced by a wide range of chemical manufacturers.
In commodity chemicals, production qualities are virtually identical from manufacturer to manufacturer because the continuous production process is standardized and straightforward.
In contrast, specialty chemicals are usually made in small-volume batches, in a process that is often not automated due to its complex nature.
As a percentage of the total volume of chemicals in the marketplace, commodity chemicals vastly outweigh specialty chemicals.
Specialty Chemicals vs Commodity Chemicals: Overview