Fine chemicals are complex, single, pure chemicalsubstances, produced in limited quantities in multipurpose plants by multistepbatch chemical or biotechnological processes. They are described by exactingspecifications, used for further processing within the chemical industry andsold for more than $10/kg (see the comparison of fine chemicals, commoditiesand specialties). The class of fine chemicals is subdivided either on the basisof the added value (building blocks, advanced intermediates or activeingredients), or the type of business transaction, namely standard or exclusiveproducts.
Fine chemicals correspond to a distinct segment ofthe chemical industry, including low tonnage molecules (typically 10 to 20Kt.). Pharmaceutical and Biological products, perfumes, photographic chemicalsand electronic grade reagents are examples of fine chemicals. High purityreagents (99.999999% pure) are also classified as fine chemicals. Globally, thefine chemicals industry continues to be very fragmented in spite of someconsolidation, partly due to the limited impact of economy of scale on the business.While, fine chemicals do offer limited albeit real opportunities for productdifferentiation, in contrast to commodity chemicals, they are unlikespecialities. While, fine chemicals do offer limited albeit real opportunitiesfor product differentiation, in contrast to commodity chemicals, they areunlike specialities, which offer much larger scope for standing out due to anenhanced contribution of technical services and application know how.
This book is a comprehensive reference on one ofthe most exciting and challenging segments of the modern chemical industry, anda practical guide for developing and succeeding in the multibillion finechemicals business. Some fundamentals of this book are synonyms, molecularformula and other properties of fine chemicals like albendazole, amitriptyline,azithromycin, benzothiazide, captopril, carbamazepine, chloroquine, etc. Thisbook is an invaluable resource for technologists, professionals and those whowant to venture in this field.