Chemistry is essential to just about every aspect of the U.S. economy, with more than 96% of all manufactured goods directly touched by the chemistry industry.
Some form of chemical production can be found in nearly every state. However, much of it is concentrated in the U.S. Gulf Coast region, where there is access to many transportation options and to raw materials such as petroleum and natural gas, which are used to make basic chemicals that are needed to manufacture everyday items throughout the country. Of course, this is also a part of the country that is regularly hit by tropical storms and hurricanes, which is why the chemical industry goes to great lengths to prepare for extreme weather events.