The Basic Inorganic Chemicals category comprises establishments which are primarily engaged in production of inorganic chemicals using basic processes, such as thermal cracking or distillation. Such chemicals are generally pure chemical elements or basic chemical compounds, and used as "raw materials" for other intermediate or final chemical products. These include, but are not limited to:

• Hydrochloric, nitric, phosphoric, and sulphuric acids,
• Chlorine, fluorine, nitrogen, sodium, sulphur, and zinc compounds, and
• many other inorganic compounds.

Also included are support industries such as associations, wholesalers, importers, and media companies which focus on the basic inorganic chemicals sector. Sites not listed in this category include:

• Inorganic dyes and pigments and industrial gases are often classified as basic inorganic chemicals, but these topics are organized under separate topics in the Business: Chemicals category.