Chemical Manufacturing Companies in Iowa

Iowa has approximately 3,500 manufacturing establishments and 220,000 manufacturing employees. Iowa is a leading food processing and agricultural equipment manufacturing state, home to major meatpacking operations and John Deere's key production facilities.

Iowa contributes to the national chemical manufacturing landscape. Chemical manufacturing encompasses companies that produce basic chemicals, specialty chemicals, petrochemicals, agricultural chemicals, adhesives, coatings, and cleaning compounds. The US is the world's second-largest chemical producer, with major production concentrated along the Gulf Coast where access to natural gas feedstocks provides a cost advantage.

Petrochemical Producers: Large-scale manufacturers of ethylene, propylene, benzene, and other base chemicals from petroleum and natural gas feedstocks.

Specialty Chemical Companies: Producers of performance chemicals, catalysts, electronic chemicals, and other high-value chemical products.

Coating & Adhesive Manufacturers: Companies producing paints, coatings, sealants, and adhesives for industrial and consumer applications.

Agricultural Chemical Producers: Manufacturers of fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, and other crop protection chemicals.

Industrial Gas Companies: Producers and distributors of oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, argon, and specialty gases for manufacturing.

Major industrial centers in Iowa include Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City, and Waterloo. These cities have concentrations of manufacturers across sectors including food processing manufacturing, agricultural equipment manufacturing, and metal fabrication.