Division 20: Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products

Section C, Manufacturing. 20 subcategories with ISTAT's explanatory notes and the ATECO 2022 codes they come from.

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  1. 20Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products

    This division includes the transformation of organic and inorganic raw materials by a chemical process and the formation of products. It distinguishes the production of basic chemicals that constitute the first industry group from the production of intermediate and end-products produced by further processing of basic chemicals that make up the remaining industry classes.

    This division also includes the manufacture of liquid biofuels.

    Biomass may be used to carry out the manufacture of chemicals and chemical products classified in this division.

  2. 20.1Manufacture of basic chemicals, fertilisers and nitrogen compounds, plastics and synthetic rubber in primary forms
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    This group includes the manufacture of basic chemical products, fertilisers and associated nitrogen compounds, as well as plastics and synthetic rubber in primary forms.

  3. 20.11Manufacture of industrial gases
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Excludes

    • extraction of methane, ethane, butane or propane, see 06.2006.20
    • liquefaction and regasification of natural gas for the purpose of transport, done at the mine site, see 09.1009.10
    • manufacture of fuel gases (e.g. ethane, butane or propane in a petroleum refinery), see 19.2019.20
    • manufacture of refrigerant gases of halogenated hydrocarbons, see 20.1420.14
    • manufacture of gaseous fuels from coal, waste, etc., see 35.2135.21
    • manufacture of hydrogen for the provision as a gaseous fuel through a permanent supply network, see 35.2135.21
  4. 20.11.0Manufacture of industrial gases
  5. 20.11.00Manufacture of industrial gases
    From ATECO 2022: 20.11.00 Fabbricazione di gas industriali (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • manufacture of liquefied or compressed selected inorganic industrial or medical gases:
      • elemental gases
      • liquid or compressed air
      • mixed industrial gases
      • inert gases (e.g. carbon dioxide)
      • isolating gases

    Also includes

    • production of hydrogen, not for energy supply through a network
  6. 20.12Manufacture of dyes and pigments
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Excludes

    • manufacture of prepared dyes and pigments, see 20.3020.30
  7. 20.12.0Manufacture of dyes and pigments
  8. 20.12.00Manufacture of dyes and pigments
    From ATECO 2022: 20.12.00 Fabbricazione di coloranti e pigmenti (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • manufacture of dyes and pigments from any source in basic form or as concentrate
    • manufacture of pure calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide
    • manufacture of liquid dyes exclusively from vegetable biomass and water

    Also includes

    • manufacture of products, of a kind used as fluorescent brightening agents or as luminophores
  9. 20.13Manufacture of other inorganic basic chemicals
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    This class includes the manufacture of chemicals using basic processes. The output of these processes is usually separate chemical elements or separate chemically defined compounds.

    Excludes

    • manufacture of industrial gases, see 20.1120.11
    • manufacture of nitrogenous fertilisers and nitrogen compounds, see 20.1520.15
    • manufacture of ammonia, see 20.1520.15
    • manufacture of ammonium chloride, see 20.1520.15
    • manufacture of nitrites and nitrates of potassium, see 20.1520.15
    • manufacture of ammonium carbonates, see 20.1520.15
    • manufacture of aromatic distilled water, see 20.5920.59
    • manufacture of basic metals, see division 2424
  10. 20.13.0Manufacture of other inorganic basic chemicals
  11. 20.13.00Manufacture of other inorganic basic chemicals
    From ATECO 2022: 20.13.01 Fabbricazione di uranio e torio arricchito (in part) · 20.13.09 Fabbricazione di altri prodotti chimici di base inorganici (in part)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • manufacture of chemical elements (except industrial gases and basic metals)
    • manufacture of inorganic acids, except nitric acid
    • manufacture of alkalis, lyes and other inorganic bases except ammonia
    • manufacture of other inorganic compounds
    • roasting of iron pyrites
    • manufacture of distilled water
    • manufacture of sodium bicarbonate
    • manufacture of demineralised water
    • reprocessing of nuclear fuels

    Also includes

    • enrichment of uranium and thorium ores
    • manufacture of lithium hydroxide
    • manufacture of decolourising agents
  12. 20.14Manufacture of other organic basic chemicals
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    This class includes the manufacture of chemicals using basic processes (for example, thermal cracking, distillation). The output of these processes is usually separate chemically defined organic compounds.

    Excludes

    • extraction of natural gas, consisting predominantly of methane, see 06.2006.20
    • manufacture of plastics in primary forms, see 20.1620.16
    • manufacture of synthetic rubber in primary forms, see 20.1720.17
    • manufacture of crude glycerol, see 20.4120.41
    • manufacture of liquid biofuels (e.g. bioethanol fuel), see 20.5120.51
    • manufacture of ethanol from biomass, see 20.5120.51
    • manufacture of natural essential oils, see 20.5920.59
    • manufacture of salicylic and O-acetylsalicylic acids, see 21.1021.10
    • production of methane for the provision as a gaseous fuel through a permanent supply network, see 35.2135.21
  13. 20.14.0Manufacture of other organic basic chemicals
  14. 20.14.00Manufacture of other organic basic chemicals
    From ATECO 2022: 20.11.00 Fabbricazione di gas industriali (in part) · 20.14.01 Fabbricazione di alcol etilico da materiali fermentati (in part) · 20.14.09 Fabbricazione di altri prodotti chimici di base organici n.c.a. (in part)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • manufacture of basic organic chemicals:
      • acyclic hydrocarbons, saturated and unsaturated
      • cyclic hydrocarbons, saturated and unsaturated
      • acyclic and cyclic alcohols, including synthetic ethyl alcohol
      • mono- and polycarboxylic acids
      • other oxygen-function compounds, including aldehydes, ketones, quinones and dual or poly oxygen-function compounds
      • synthetic glycerol
      • nitrogen-function organic compounds, including amines
      • fermentation of sugar cane, corn or similar to produce alcohol and esters
      • other organic compounds, including wood distillation products (e.g. charcoal), etc.
    • manufacture of synthetic aromatic products
    • manufacture of methane, not for the provision as a gaseous fuel through a permanent supply network
    • manufacture of basic organic gases, not for energy supply through a network
    • distillation of coal tar
    • manufacture of raw benzol
    • manufacture of ethyl alcohol other than for bioethanol fuel
    • manufacture of refrigerant gases
  15. 20.15Manufacture of fertilisers and nitrogen compounds
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Excludes

    • mining of guano, see 08.9108.91
    • manufacture of agrochemical products (e.g. pesticides), see 20.2020.20
    • manufacture of liming agents, see 20.5920.59
    • production of waste compost, see 38.2138.21
  16. 20.15.0Manufacture of fertilisers and nitrogen compounds
  17. 20.15.00Manufacture of fertilisers and nitrogen compounds
    From ATECO 2022: 20.15.00 Fabbricazione di fertilizzanti e composti azotati (esclusa la fabbricazione di compost) (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • manufacture of fertilisers:
      • straight or complex nitrogenous, phosphatic or potassic fertilisers
      • urea, crude natural phosphates and crude natural potassium salts
    • manufacture of associated nitrogen products:
      • nitric and sulphonitric acids, ammonia, ammonium chloride, ammonium carbonate, nitrites and nitrates of potassium

    Also includes

    • manufacture of potting soil mixtures of natural soil, peat, sand, clays and minerals, with nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium as an essential constituent
    • manufacture of other fertilisers by the mixing or chemical treatment of animal or vegetable products
  18. 20.16Manufacture of plastics in primary forms
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    This class includes the manufacture of resins, plastic materials and non-vulcanisable thermoplastic elastomers, the mixing and blending of resins on a custom basis, as well as the manufacture of non customised synthetic resins.

    Excludes

    • manufacture of artificial and synthetic fibres, filaments and yarn, see 20.6020.60
    • processing shredding, cleaning, grinding of plastic waste, see 38.2138.21
  19. 20.16.0Manufacture of plastics in primary forms
  20. 20.16.00Manufacture of plastics in primary forms
    From ATECO 2022: 20.16.00 Fabbricazione di materie plastiche in forme primarie (in part) · 38.32.20 Recupero e preparazione per il riciclaggio di materiale plastico per produzione di materie prime plastiche, resine sintetiche (in part)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • manufacture of plastics in primary forms:
      • polymers, including those of ethylene, propylene, styrene, vinyl chloride, vinyl acetate and acrylics
      • polyamides
      • phenolic and epoxide resins and polyurethanes
      • alkyd and polyester resins and polyethers
      • ion exchangers based on polymers
    • manufacture of silicones in primary forms
    • plastic compounding activities

    Also includes

    • manufacture of cellulose and its chemical derivatives
    • manufacture of plastic powders, granules or flakes by compounding or transforming plastic resins from recovered plastic waste
    • manufacture of recycled plastic in flakes or plastic granulates based on pretreated plastic waste following material recovery operations
  21. 20.17Manufacture of synthetic rubber in primary forms
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Excludes

    • sorting, shredding, cleaning, grinding and pelletising of rubber waste, see 38.2138.21
  22. 20.17.0Manufacture of synthetic rubber in primary forms
  23. 20.17.00Manufacture of synthetic rubber in primary forms
    From ATECO 2022: 20.17.00 Fabbricazione di gomma sintetica in forme primarie (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • manufacture of synthetic rubber in primary forms:
      • synthetic rubber
      • factice
    • manufacture of mixtures of synthetic rubber and natural rubber or rubber-like gums (e.g. balata)
  24. 20.2Manufacture of pesticides, disinfectants and other agrochemical products
  25. 20.20Manufacture of pesticides, disinfectants and other agrochemical products
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Excludes

    • manufacture of fertilisers and nitrogen compounds, see 20.1520.15
  26. 20.20.0Manufacture of pesticides, disinfectants and other agrochemical products
  27. 20.20.00Manufacture of pesticides, disinfectants and other agrochemical products
    From ATECO 2022: 20.20.00 Fabbricazione di agrofarmaci e di altri prodotti chimici per l'agricoltura (esclusi i concimi) (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • manufacture of pesticides (plant protection products)
    • manufacture of insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides, acaricides, molluscicides, biocides
    • manufacture of anti-sprouting products, plant growth regulators
    • manufacture of disinfectants (for agricultural and other use)
    • manufacture of other agrochemical products n.e.c.
  28. 20.3Manufacture of paints, varnishes and similar coatings, printing ink and mastics
  29. 20.30Manufacture of paints, varnishes and similar coatings, printing ink and mastics
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Excludes

    • manufacture of dyes, tuffs and pigments, see 20.1220.12
    • manufacture of writing and drawing ink, see 20.5920.59
  30. 20.30.0Manufacture of paints, varnishes and similar coatings, printing ink and mastics
  31. 20.30.00Manufacture of paints, varnishes and similar coatings, printing ink and mastics
    From ATECO 2022: 20.30.00 Fabbricazione di pitture, vernici e smalti, inchiostri da stampa e adesivi sintetici (mastici) (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • manufacture of paints and varnishes, enamels or lacquers
    • manufacture of prepared pigments and dyes, opacifiers and colours
    • manufacture of vitrifiable enamels and glazes, engobes and similar preparations
    • manufacture of mastics
    • manufacture of caulking compounds and similar non-refractory filling or surfacing preparations
    • manufacture of organic composite solvents and thinners
    • manufacture of prepared paint or varnish removers
    • manufacture of printing ink
    • manufacture of pigments and toner powders
  32. 20.4Manufacture of washing, cleaning and polishing preparations
  33. 20.41Manufacture of soap and detergents, cleaning and polishing preparations
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Excludes

    • manufacture of separate, chemically defined compounds, see 20.13, 20.1420.1320.14
    • manufacture of glycerol, synthesised from petroleum products, see 20.1420.14
    • manufacture of cosmetic soap, see 20.4220.42
  34. 20.41.1Manufacture of soap, detergents and surface-active preparations
  35. 20.41.10Manufacture of soap, detergents and surface-active preparations
    From ATECO 2022: 20.41.10 Fabbricazione di saponi, detergenti e di agenti organici tensioattivi (esclusi i prodotti per toletta) (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • manufacture of organic surface-active agents
    • manufacture of paper, wadding, felt, etc., coated or covered with soap or detergent
    • manufacture of soap, except cosmetic soap
    • manufacture of surface-active preparations:
      • washing powders in solid or liquid form and detergents
      • dish-washing preparations
      • textile softeners
  36. 20.41.2Manufacture of glycerol and other cleaning and polishing preparations
  37. 20.41.20Manufacture of glycerol and other cleaning and polishing preparations
    From ATECO 2022: 20.41.20 Fabbricazione di specialità chimiche per uso domestico e per manutenzione (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • manufacture of crude glycerol
    • manufacture of cleaning and polishing products:
      • preparations for perfuming or deodorising rooms
      • artificial waxes and prepared waxes
      • polishes and creams for leather
      • polishes and creams for wood
      • polishes for coachwork, glass and metal
      • scouring pastes and powders, including paper, wadding, etc., coated or covered with these
  38. 20.42Manufacture of perfume and toilet preparations
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Excludes

    • extraction and refining of natural essential oils, see 20.5920.59
  39. 20.42.0Manufacture of perfume and toilet preparations
  40. 20.42.00Manufacture of perfume and toilet preparations
    From ATECO 2022: 20.42.00 Fabbricazione di prodotti per toletta: profumi, cosmetici, saponi e simili (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • manufacture of perfume and toilet preparations:
      • perfume and toilet water
      • beauty and make-up preparations
      • sunburn prevention and suntan preparations
      • manicure and pedicure preparations
      • shampoos, hair lacquers, waving and straightening preparations
      • dentifrices and preparations for oral hygiene, including denture fixative preparations
      • shaving preparations, including pre-shave and aftershave preparations
      • deodorants and bath salts
      • depilatories
    • manufacture of cosmetic soap
  41. 20.5Manufacture of other chemical products
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    This group includes the manufacture of liquid biofuels and chemical products n.e.c. (for example, explosives and pyrotechnic products, glues, essential oils, composite diagnostic preparations).

  42. 20.51Manufacture of liquid biofuels
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Excludes

    • manufacture of solid fuels from vegetable biomass, see 16.2616.26
    • manufacture of ethyl alcohol other than for bioethanol biofuels, see 20.1420.14
    • manufacture of explosives, see 20.5920.59
  43. 20.51.0Manufacture of liquid biofuels
  44. 20.51.00Manufacture of liquid biofuels
    From ATECO 2022: 20.14.09 Fabbricazione di altri prodotti chimici di base organici n.c.a. (in part) · 20.59.90 Fabbricazione di altri prodotti chimici n.c.a. (in part)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • manufacture of biodiesel
    • manufacture of ethanol from biomass
    • manufacture of mixtures of bioethanol and ethers partially derived from biomass
    • manufacture of liquid biofuels even if processes use waste as an input
  45. 20.59Manufacture of other chemical products n.e.c.
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Excludes

    • manufacture of synthetic aromatic products, see 20.1420.14
    • manufacture of printing ink, see 20.3020.30
    • manufacture of perfume and toilet preparations, see 20.4220.42
    • manufacture of liquid biofuels, see 20.5120.51
  46. 20.59.1Manufacture of matches and explosives
  47. 20.59.11Manufacture of matches
    From ATECO 2022: 20.51.01 Fabbricazione di fiammiferi (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Also includes

    • manufacture of matches
  48. 20.59.12Manufacture of explosives
    From ATECO 2022: 20.51.02 Fabbricazione di articoli esplosivi (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • manufacture of propellant powders
    • manufacture of explosives and pyrotechnic products, including percussion caps, detonators, signalling flares, etc.
  49. 20.59.2Manufacture of glues
  50. 20.59.20Manufacture of glues
    From ATECO 2022: 20.52.00 Fabbricazione di colle (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • manufacture of glues and prepared adhesives, including rubber-based glues and adhesives
  51. 20.59.3Manufacture of essential oils
  52. 20.59.30Manufacture of essential oils
    From ATECO 2022: 20.53.00 Fabbricazione di oli essenziali (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • extraction and refining of natural essential oils
    • manufacture of essential oils
    • manufacture of extracts of natural aromatic products
    • manufacture of resinoids
    • manufacture of mixtures of odoriferous products for the manufacture of perfumes or food
    • manufacture of aromatic distilled water
  53. 20.59.9Manufacture of other various chemical products n.e.c.
  54. 20.59.91Manufacture of e-liquids used in vaping devices
    From ATECO 2022: 20.59.90 Fabbricazione di altri prodotti chimici n.c.a. (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • manufacture of e-liquids used in vaping devices
  55. 20.59.99Manufacture of all other various chemical products n.e.c.
    From ATECO 2022: 20.59.10 Fabbricazione di prodotti chimici per uso fotografico (in part) · 20.59.20 Fabbricazione di prodotti chimici organici ottenuti da prodotti di base derivati da processi di fermentazione o da materie prime vegetali (in part) · 20.59.30 Trattamento chimico degli acidi grassi (in part) · 20.59.40 Fabbricazione di prodotti chimici vari per uso industriale (inclusi i preparati antidetonanti e antigelo) (in part) · 20.59.50 Fabbricazione di prodotti chimici impiegati per ufficio e per il consumo non industriale (in part) · 20.59.60 Fabbricazione di prodotti ausiliari per le industrie tessili e del cuoio (in part) · 20.59.70 Fabbricazione di prodotti elettrochimici (esclusa produzione di cloro, soda e potassa) ed elettrotermici (in part) · 20.59.90 Fabbricazione di altri prodotti chimici n.c.a. (in part)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • manufacture of photographic plates, films, sensitised paper and other sensitised unexposed materials
    • manufacture of chemical preparations for photographic uses
    • manufacture of gelatine and its derivatives
    • manufacture of various chemical products:
      • peptones, peptone derivatives, other protein substances and their derivatives n.e.c.
      • chemically modified oils and fats
      • materials used in the finishing of textiles and leather
      • powders and pastes used in soldering, brazing or welding
      • substances used to pickle metal
      • prepared additives for cements
      • activated carbon, lubricating oil additives, prepared rubber accelerators, catalysts and other chemical products for industrial use
      • anti-knock preparations, antifreeze preparations
      • liquids for hydraulic transmission
      • composite diagnostic or laboratory reagents
      • fuel additives, e.g. based on ethyl tertiary-butyl ether (ETBE) and methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE)
    • manufacture of liming agents

    Also includes

    • manufacture of writing and drawing ink
  56. 20.6Manufacture of man-made fibres
  57. 20.60Manufacture of man-made fibres
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Excludes

    • spinning of synthetic or artificial fibres, see 13.1013.10
    • manufacture of yarns made of man-made staple, see 13.1013.10
    • manufacture of carbon fibres, see 23.9923.99
  58. 20.60.0Manufacture of man-made fibres
  59. 20.60.00Manufacture of man-made fibres
    From ATECO 2022: 20.60.00 Fabbricazione di fibre sintetiche e artificiali (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • manufacture of artificial and synthetic fibres, filaments and yarn
    • manufacture of synthetic or artificial filament tow
    • manufacture of synthetic or artificial staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning
    • manufacture of synthetic or artificial filament yarn, including high-tenacity yarn
    • manufacture of synthetic or artificial monofilament or strip
    • manufacture of recycled fibres

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