NEW YORK and LONDON, September 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

ICIS Chemical Business magazine presents the annual ICIS Top 100 Chemical Companies, a global listing of sector leaders ranked by 2012 sales, sponsored by global investment bank The Valence Group.

Topping the list once again is Germany's BASF with $95.1bn in sales, followed by China's Sinopec at #2 with $64.9bn and US-based ExxonMobil Chemical at #3 with $60.9bn in sales. US-based Dow Chemical with $56.8bn in sales comes in at #4, followed by Saudi Arabia-based SABIC at #5 with $50.4bn in sales.

Currency conversions to US dollars for the ranking were based on year-end 2012 exchange rates.

The ICIS Top 100 Chemical Companies had combined sales of $1.39 trillion in 2012, essentially flat versus the $1.40 trillion in 2011.

"2012 was a challenging year for the chemical industry - both in terms of top-line growth and profitability. But the ICIS Top 100 Chemical Companies listing reflects the emergence of global leaders with the top 5 based in key geographic markets," said Joseph Chang, Global Editor of ICIS.

"The chemical operations of China's Sinopec have grown significantly over the past 10 years, lifting the company from 29^th in the ICIS rankings in 2002 to the #2 slot for 2013," said Nigel Davis, ICIS Insight Editor."

"Saudi Arabia's SABIC has moved from the 14^th position to #5 in the same period," he added.

The 23 September issue of ICIS Chemical Business will break out the geographic leaders in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East & Africa.

And in the issue of 30 September, we reveal the ICIS Company of the Year based on financial metrics.

The ICIS Top 100 Chemical Companies ranking is available for download as a PDF at http://www.icis.com/top100chem.

ICIS Chemical Business

ICIS Chemical Business is the leading global weekly magazine focusing on the bulk commodity chemical and polymers markets. Get your weekly global summary of these markets by subscribing today at http://www.icis.com/about/icis-chemical-business-magazine.

ICIS

ICIS is the trusted information provider for the chemical and energy industries. ICIS aims to help companies in global commodity markets improve their revenues and profits by providing high-quality, timely, commercially useful information, business leads and brand positioning across the globe. To find out more, visit http://www.icis.com.

Reed Business Information

ICIS is part of Reed Business Information, http://www.reedbusiness.co.uk/, (RBI), a division of Reed Business and a member of Reed Elsevier plc (525), (UK:REL) (US:RUK) (NL:45443) the world's leading publisher and information provider. For a full listing of publications, visit http://www.reedbusiness.co.uk.

The Valence Group

The Valence Group is the only global M&A adviser focused exclusively on the chemicals and related materials industries. We are the most active chemicals M&A firm in the world, having advised on 30 closed M&A transactions worth approximately $10bn since our formation in 2008. Our offices in New York, London and Shanghai have acted as M&A adviser to many leading companies in the chemicals sector, including Arkema, Cytec, DSM, Eastman, ExxonMobil, INEOS, PolyOne, Solutia, Solvay and Tessenderlo.

For editorial inquiries, contact:
Joseph Chang
Global Editor, ICIS Chemical Business
T: +1-212-791-4224
joseph.chang@icis.com

Will Beacham
Deputy Editor, London Bureau Chief, ICIS Chemical Business
T: +44(0)20-8652-8683
will.beacham@icis.com

For commercial inquiries, contact:
John Hill
Global Sales Manager - Content Marketing and Advertising
ICIS Chemical Business
T: +44(0)20-8652-3893
john.hill@icis.com

The Valence Group
http://www.valencegroup.com
London +44(0)207-291-4670
New York +1-212-847-7340
Shanghai +86-21-6100-9620

SOURCE ICIS