Methodology and data basis
This page explains where our numbers come from, how boundaries are drawn, and why one market can carry several valid sizes.
Sources
Our data comes from three tiers of public information: publicly released summaries from third-party research houses (including Fortune Business Insights, Persistence Market Research, Grand View Research, GEP Research and 24ChemicalResearch); annual reports, prospectuses and investor communications from listed companies; and public data from industry associations, customs and statistical agencies.
We do not use non-public channels, and we do not engage in contact whose purpose is to obtain non-public information.
Why one market has several sizes
This is the most commonly overlooked issue in industry research and the most likely to cause misjudgement. Take fine chemicals: three institutions place the 2025 global market between USD 205 billion and 238 billion. The spread comes from three places:
- Boundary: whether agrochemicals, dyes and additives — which some houses classify as specialties — are included.
- Price basis: ex-works, wholesale or end-user pricing can differ by double-digit percentages.
- Chain position: whether formulated products and technical service revenue are counted.
We therefore present multiple definitions side by side rather than averaging them or picking a number that looks reasonable. Always cite the definition and year you use; otherwise cross-report comparison produces wrong conclusions.
Historical, estimated and forecast
We strictly separate three kinds of number: historical (backed by complete annual data), estimated (year not yet closed or data incomplete) and forecast (modelled). Tables label these as actual, E and F.
Forecasts are scenarios derived from published growth assumptions, not conclusions. Any figure marked F should never be cited as an established fact.
How we handle uncertainty
Where institutional definitions diverge, or public data cannot support a single conclusion, we publish a range and explain the difference rather than offering a precise number without basis. That is not a shortcoming; it is how we stay useful to a decision-maker.
Disclaimer
All content is industry research and information compilation. It is not investment advice, legal opinion or a trading recommendation. Verify independently against the latest primary report and your own internal data before acting on it.
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