There are several basic materials sub-sectors, including chemical products, metals and mining, and forestry products. The chemicals sub-sector includes a wide range of products, such as agricultural fertilizers, industrial gasses, and specialty chemicals used to make glues and paints.
Metals and mining also contains a broad range of companies, including minerals, oil, gold, aluminum, silver, and steel. Forestry consists of companies that harvest trees to produce lumber, paper, cardboard, and other similar products.