15 Largest Materials Companies in the US

Published on September 7, 2021 at 9:38 am by Saad Raza in Lists, News

In this article, we will be looking at the largest basic materials companies in the US. If you want to skip our detailed analysis of the basic materials industry and ranking criteria, you can go directly to the 5 Largest Materials Companies in the US.

According to the S&P sector breakdown, materials companies are engaged in discovering, developing, and processing raw materials used in different industries and sectors. The products of the materials industry form the first step of the supply chain of various goods. The most important of these include mining, chemical, building, agricultural and forestry-related industries.

Most of the production of these industries comprises commodities. Commodities are traded on standardized prices rather than the price preference of the company that produces them. Their prices are directly affected by the supply and demand principle. The mining industry contributes 1% to the GDP of the US. Some of the major mining companies in the US are Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM), and Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX). As far as the construction industry is concerned, it makes 3.36% of the US GDP. The main companies include Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE: VMC) and Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE: MLM). According to economic forecasts, the construction industry of the US is expected to grow by 15.6% in 2021, with a valuation of $1515.65 billion.

While COVID-19 has affected this segment like any other, the effects have been short-term. During the peak of the pandemic, the sector suffered due to a weakened economy, the burdens on the supply chain, and delivery delays. The lockdown also caused the construction workers and contractors to stay at home and thus, reducing the demand for building materials. However, this segment quickly rebounded and outperformed many other S&P 500’s sectors. A report by McKinsey reveals that from January 2020 to July 2020, the price of thermal coal has decreased by 23%. On the contrary, gold prices have increased by 19% during the same period due to increased levels of uncertainty in the global market. According to Wall Street Journal, the anticipation of inflation has caused the buyers to rack up stocks in the materials segment, resulting in a 6.9% gain in May 2021. Bloomberg has reported that the basic materials make up half of the 20 best performing exchange-traded products in 2021.

Photo by Robby McCullough on Unsplash

Our Methodology

To compile this list of largest materials companies in the US, we have picked companies operating in the basic materials segment with their headquarters in the US. The companies are listed according to their market capitalization as of September 2021. Selected companies work in agricultural inputs, chemicals, mining, specialty chemicals, and building materials. We have not considered oil and gas-based companies for this list. For each company, its revenue for the fiscal year ending in December 2020 has been mentioned.

So, without further delay, let’s explore the 15 largest materials companies in the US.

Largest Materials Companies in the US

15. Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE)

Market Capitalization: $17.478B

Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE), a Texas-based company, specializes in high-performance polymers and operates in the US and internationally. Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE) produces materials in the Engineered Materials, Acetate Tow, and Acetyl Chain segments. These polymers are used in automotive and medical applications, filter products and colorants, coatings, and pharmaceuticals. Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE) also produces packaging and lamination films. Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE) generated a revenue of $5.655 billion in the fiscal year 2020.

14. Avantor, Inc. (NYSE: AVTR)

Market Capitalization: $23.361B

Avantor, Inc. (NYSE: AVTR) is based in Pennsylvania and specializes in specialty chemicals. Avantor, Inc. (NYSE: AVTR) offers chemicals in biopharma, healthcare, education, government sectors across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Avantor, Inc. (NYSE: AVTR) offers materials and consumables, microbiology products, clinical trial kits, equipment and instrumentation for filtration systems, and virus inactivation systems. In the fiscal year 2020, Avantor, Inc. (NYSE: AVTR) generated a revenue of $6.39 billion.

13. Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE: MLM)

Market Capitalization: $23.778B

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE: MLM) is a leading supplier of building materials that include cement, aggregates, ready-mixed concrete, and asphalt. Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE: MLM) operates in 27 states in the US. Their international business spans in Canada and the Bahamas. The annual revenue for Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE: MLM) for the year 2020 remained $4.7 billion.

12. Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE: VMC)

Market Capitalization: $24.70B

Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE: VMC) is based in Alabama and specializes in building materials. Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE: VMC) manufactures and supplies aggregate in the US. The company’s operations are divided into four segments: Aggregates, Asphalt, Concrete, and Calcium. The Aggregate department supplies crushed stones, sand, and gravel to the construction industries. The Asphalt segment provides asphalt mix in states like Alabama, Arizona, California, New Mexico, Tennessee, and Texas. The Calcium segment of Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE: VMC) mines and sells calcium-based products for animal feed, plastics, and water treatment companies. Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE: VMC) was founded in 1909. It generated revenue of $4.8 billion in 2020.

Like Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE: APD), The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE: SHW), Nucor Corporation (NYSE: NUE), International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE: IFF) and DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (NYSE: DD), Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE: VMC) is one of the largest materials companies in the US.

11. Corteva, Inc. (NYSE: CTVA)

Market Capitalization: $32.583B

Corteva, Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) is based in Delaware and specializes in the production of agricultural materials. The operations of Corteva, Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) are divided into two segments, Seed and Crop. The Seed segment is concerned with the production of advanced germplasm and modified seeds for the optimum yield. These modified seeds are made resistant to weather, diseases, and herbicides. Corteva, Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) also provide digital solutions assisting in the decision-making to maximize yield and profit. The Crop segment provides chemicals that work against insects, weeds, and pests. Corteva, Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) has operations in the United States, Canada, Latin America, the Asia Pacific, Europe, and Africa. In 2020, Corteva, Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) earned a revenue of $14.22 billion. Corteva, Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) is one of the largest producers of agricultural materials in the US.

Like Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE: APD), The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE: SHW), Nucor Corporation (NYSE: NUE), International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE: IFF) and DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (NYSE: DD), Corteva, Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) is one of the largest materials companies in the US.

10. Nucor Corporation (NYSE: NUE)

Market Capitalization: $34.145B

Nucor Corporation (NYSE: NUE) is based in North Carolina, and it is concerned with the manufacturing and selling of steel and steel products. The steel products segment produces hot-rolled, cold-rolled, and galvanized sheet steel products along with the production of beams. Nucor Corporation (NYSE: NUE) is also engaged in steel trading and rebar distribution. The operations of Nucor Corporation (NYSE: NUE) expand in the US, Mexico, and Canada. Nucor Corporation (NYSE: NUE) generated revenue of $20.139 billion at the end of 2020.

9. PPG Industries, Inc. (NYSE: PPG)

Market Capitalization: $37.444B

PPG Industries Inc. (NYSE: PPG) specializes in specialty chemicals and paints. The operations of PPG Industries Inc. (NYSE: PPG) are divided into different segments. The performance coatings segment deals with the coatings, sealants, sundries, and software for automotive and commercial transport. The industrial Coatings division of PPG Industries Inc. (NYSE: PPG) provides coatings and adhesives for appliances and agricultural consumers. In 2020, PPG Industries Inc. (NYSE: PPG) generated a revenue of $13.834 billion.

8. International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE: IFF)

Market Capitalization: $37.47B

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE: IFF) is based in New York and started operations in 1833. International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE: IFF) manufactures and sells cosmetic and natural health ingredients. The company has operations in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Greater Asia, and the Americas. International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE: IFF) has four segments. The first one is the Nourish segment offering flavor compounds such as marinades and powder blends, natural colors, and seasoning. The second one is the Scent segment which provides fragrance compounds. The third one is the Health and Biosciences segment dealing with enzymes and food cultures. The fourth one is The Pharma solutions department which produces and sells cellulosic and alginates-based pharma products. International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE: IFF) earned a revenue of $5.08 billion.

Like Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE: APD), The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE: SHW) and Nucor Corporation (NYSE: NUE), International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE: IFF) is one of the largest materials companies in the US.

7. DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (NYSE: DD)

Market Capitalization: $38.34B

DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (NYSE: DD) is based in Wilmington, Denver, and specializes in manufacturing technology-based materials and ingredients in the US, Canada, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The Electronics and Imaging segment of DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (NYSE: DD) provides materials to manufacturers of photovoltaic cells, printing systems, semiconductors, and integrated circuits. The Transportation and Advanced Polymers segment of DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (NYSE: DD) provides resins, adhesives, and silicones to the transportation, electronics, and healthcare markets. DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (NYSE: DD) earned a revenue of $20.39 billion in the year 2020.

Like Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE: APD), The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE: SHW), Nucor Corporation (NYSE: NUE) and International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE: IFF) DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (NYSE: DD) is one of the largest materials companies in the US.

6. Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM)

Market Capitalization: $46.281B

Based in Denver, Colorado, Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM) was founded in 1916. Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM) is engaged in the mining of gold. They also explore and produce other metals like copper, silver, zinc, and lead. Its operation expands to the US, Mexico, Canada, Dominican Republic, Suriname, Peru, and Argentina. As of December 2020, Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM) has gold reserves of 94.2 million ounces. Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM) generated a revenue of $11.49 billion in the year 2020.

Like Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE: APD), The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE: SHW), Nucor Corporation (NYSE: NUE), International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE: IFF) and DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (NYSE: DD), Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM) is one of the largest materials companies in the US.

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