NAICS 325998 Quarterly Industry Report
All Other Miscellaneous Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 325998Sector: 32Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry report for NAICS 325998 delivers business owners, acquirers, and financial advisors data-driven valuation insights for the miscellaneous chemical product manufacturing sector, drawing on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5] and EPA[8] chemical manufacturing regulatory statistics. Additional data is drawn from Bureau of Labor Statistics[9].. The report aggregates transaction multiples, financial benchmarks, and market trends specific to NAICS 325998 establishments, supporting buy-sell agreements, succession planning, SBA-financed acquisitions, and litigation support engagements.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the all other miscellaneous chemical product and preparation manufacturing industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
All Other Miscellaneous Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing (NAICS 325998) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing chemical products not classified elsewhere, including antifreeze preparations, de-icing fluids, plant-derived oils, synthetic lubricating oils and greases, fuel additives, water treatment chemicals, swimming pool chemicals, lighter fluid, fire extinguishing chemicals, matches, and aerosol can filling on a contract basis. According to the U.S. Census Bureau[5], approximately 1,399 establishments operate within this broad classification, generating annual revenue exceeding $22.8 billion with annual payroll of $2.4 billion across manufacturing facilities producing a diverse array of specialty and niche chemical products serving automotive, industrial, household, and institutional end markets.
The classification's breadth reflects the enormous diversity of specialty chemical manufacturing in the United States, with individual sub-segments including automotive aftermarket fluids, industrial water treatment programs, food-grade lubricants, botanical oil extraction and blending, aerosol contract filling services, and specialty fire protection chemicals. Industry Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] identifies production roles including chemical blending operators, botanical oil distillation technicians, aerosol filling line operators, quality control chemists, lubricant formulation scientists, and water treatment product specialists developing customized chemical treatment programs for industrial and municipal customers.
Per the SBA Office of Advocacy[7], the miscellaneous chemical manufacturing sector contains a large number of small and mid-sized companies specializing in specific product niches, creating opportunities for focused competitors with technical expertise in particular chemical application areas. Contract aerosol filling operations serve brand owners across multiple consumer product categories, while botanical oil manufacturers supply fragrance, flavoring, and aromatherapy markets with distilled and extracted natural products.
What's Included in This Industry
- Valuation multiples benchmarked to miscellaneous chemical product manufacturing operations
- Revenue and EBITDA trends for domestic specialty chemical production
- SBA lending data and financing terms for NAICS 325998 businesses
- Comparable transaction data from recent specialty chemical company acquisitions
- Industry risk factors including niche market competition, raw material costs, and regulatory compliance
- Workforce composition and labor cost benchmarks for specialty chemical operations
- Regional market analysis covering major specialty chemical manufacturing centers
- Capital expenditure benchmarks for blending, filling, and packaging equipment
- Growth projections tied to specialty chemical demand across automotive and industrial markets
- Owner compensation and discretionary earnings benchmarks
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Chemical Manufacturing | 325 |
| Industry Group | Other Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing | 3259 |
| NAICS Industry | All Other Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing | 32599 |
| National Industry | All Other Miscellaneous Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing | 325998 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 325199 | All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing | Basic organic chemical manufacturers producing solvents, glycols, and organic intermediates consumed as raw materials in miscellaneous chemical product formulation processes |
| 325510 | Paint and Coating Manufacturing | Paint and coating manufacturers sharing chemical formulation expertise, raw material supply chains, and packaging technologies with specialty chemical producers |
| 325520 | Adhesive Manufacturing | Adhesive manufacturers sharing polymer chemistry expertise, blending equipment technologies, and chemical distribution channels with miscellaneous chemical producers |
| 325612 | Polish and Other Sanitation Good Manufacturing | Polish and sanitation product manufacturers sharing aerosol filling capabilities and consumer chemical product distribution channels with miscellaneous chemical producers |
| 325180 | Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing | Basic inorganic chemical manufacturers producing water treatment chemicals, pool chemicals, and industrial reagents that overlap with miscellaneous chemical product categories |
| 424690 | Other Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers | Chemical and allied product wholesalers distributing specialty chemical products from manufacturers to automotive, industrial, and institutional end-use customers |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 11.3% | 147 |
| 2 | Texas | 10.9% | 142 |
| 3 | Ohio | 6.2% | 80 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | 5.0% | 65 |
| 5 | Illinois | 4.5% | 58 |
| 6 | Michigan | 3.7% | 48 |
| 7 | Georgia | 3.5% | 46 |
| 8 | Florida | 3.5% | 45 |
| 9 | New York | 3.4% | 44 |
| 10 | New Jersey | 3.3% | 43 |
% Of Establishments
0%
11%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
152
Total SBA Loans
$146.3M
Total Loan Volume
$963K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.10%
Average Interest Rate
2,336
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: Miscellaneous chemical manufacturers benefit from favorable SBA financing qualification under the SBA size standards[10] for NAICS 325998, which set the threshold at 650 employees for small business classification. The SBA 7(a) loan program[11] supports specialty chemical manufacturers and contract filling operations acquiring businesses or financing working capital for raw material inventory, while the CDC/504 loan program[12] provides long-term fixed-rate financing for blending tanks, aerosol filling lines, distillation equipment, and warehouse facilities. Lenders evaluate customer diversification, product niche defensibility, and EPA compliance history when structuring specialty chemical manufacturing loans.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Live Oak Banking Company | 8 | $39.2M | $4.9M |
| 2 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 48 | $35.4M | $737K |
| 3 | The Huntington National Bank | 24 | $29.9M | $1.2M |
| 4 | JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association | 16 | $26.5M | $1.7M |
| 5 | Bank of America, National Association | 8 | $4.0M | $500K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the typical valuation multiple for a specialty chemical manufacturer?
Miscellaneous chemical product manufacturers typically trade at 5x to 9x EBITDA, with niche-market specialists holding proprietary formulations commanding premium multiples. Per U.S. Census Bureau[5] data, the industry's 1,399 establishments span diverse product categories with valuations reflecting market position defensibility and customer switching costs.
What SBA loan options are available for specialty chemical businesses?
The SBA[10] sets the small business threshold at 650 employees for NAICS 325998. Most specialty chemical manufacturers qualify for SBA financing, with 7(a) loans supporting acquisitions and 504 loans financing production equipment and facility investments.
What environmental regulations affect miscellaneous chemical manufacturers?
The EPA[8] regulates chemical manufacturing under Clean Air Act emission standards, Clean Water Act discharge permits, and RCRA hazardous waste management requirements. Specific product categories including fire extinguishing chemicals and pool treatment products face additional regulatory requirements.
How does the contract aerosol filling segment work?
Contract aerosol filling operations provide pressurized packaging services to brand owners across consumer products, automotive, and industrial categories. Per the U.S. Census Bureau[5], contract fillers invest in high-speed filling lines, propellant handling systems, and DOT-compliant packaging to serve customers who outsource aerosol packaging rather than operating dedicated filling facilities.
What are the growth areas in miscellaneous chemical manufacturing?
Water treatment chemicals, synthetic lubricants, botanical and aromatic oils for aromatherapy and natural products, and de-icing fluids represent growing market segments. Per the EPA[8], municipal and industrial water treatment spending growth supports demand for specialty chemical treatment products.
How does the automotive aftermarket drive specialty chemical demand?
Antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, fuel system additives, and specialty lubricants serve the automotive maintenance and repair market. Per the Bureau of Transportation Statistics[13], the growing vehicle fleet and increasing average vehicle age support sustained demand for automotive aftermarket chemical products.
What workforce challenges do specialty chemical manufacturers face?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] reports that chemical blending operators, formulation chemists, and quality control analysts are in demand across the specialty chemical sector. Market diverse nature of product categories within NAICS 325998 creates competition for workers with specific formulation expertise.
How does botanical oil production fit within this industry?
Botanical oil distillation and extraction operations manufacturing concentrated plant-derived oils for fragrance, flavoring, and aromatherapy applications fall within NAICS 325998. Per the FDA[14], botanical oils used in food, cosmetic, or therapeutic applications must comply with applicable product safety and labeling requirements.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]SBA Office of Advocacy advocacy.sba.gov
- [8]EPA epa.gov
- [9]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [10]SBA size standards sba.gov
- [11]SBA 7(a) loan program sba.gov
- [12]CDC/504 loan program sba.gov
- [13]Bureau of Transportation Statistics bts.gov
- [14]FDA fda.gov
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