Chemical Sector
The Chemical Sector is an integral part of the U.S. economy and supports the operation of nearly every other critical infrastructure sector. It includes facilities that manufacture, use, store, transport, and distribute chemicals that are essential to agriculture, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, water treatment, transportation, and countless consumer and industrial products.
Overview
The sector encompasses a diverse range of facilities, from large petrochemical manufacturers and industrial plants to chemical distributors, laboratories, storage facilities, and other organizations that handle chemical products. The industry converts raw materials into tens of thousands of products that are used throughout the Nation and across global supply chains.
Chemical facilities rely on complex manufacturing processes, transportation networks, energy, communications, information technology, operational technology, supply chains, and a skilled workforce. Because some chemicals may present significant health, safety, environmental, or security hazards, their safe and secure production, storage, transportation, and use are important to both public safety and national security.
Protecting the Chemical Sector requires attention to cybersecurity, physical security, chemical security, supply-chain resilience, emergency preparedness, and the prevention of theft, diversion, or misuse of hazardous materials. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security serves as the Sector Risk Management Agency for the Chemical Sector and works with industry and government partners to strengthen its security and resilience.
