A
chemical plant is an
industrial process plant that manufactures (or otherwise processes)
chemicals, usually on a large scale. The general objective of a chemical plant is to create new material wealth via the chemical or biological transformation and or separation of materials. Chemical plants use specialized equipment, units, and technology in the manufacturing process. Other kinds of plants, such as polymer, pharmaceutical, food, and some beverage production facilities,
power plants,
oil refineries or other
refineries,
natural gas processing and biochemical plants,
water and
wastewater treatment, and
pollution control equipment use many technologies that have similarities to chemical plant technology such as fluid systems and chemical reactor systems. Some would consider an
oil refinery or a pharmaceutical or
polymer manufacturer to be effectively a chemical plant.