The study of chemistry has two leading branches: one applies to the physical and chemical properties of substances and the other to investigate and master chemical processes to obtain a specific purpose. It studies the substances, otherwise known as elements (ie. hydrogen, oxygen), and the compounds, that are made out of a combination of substances (ie. water).

Chemical reactions or transformations result in the conversion of one or more substances into a variety of compounds. For example, under a specific condition, hydrogen gas reacts with oxygen gas to create water: 2 hydrogen (2H) + 1 oxygen (O) = H2O. It is important to note that in all chemical reactions that result in different substances the atoms are merely regrouped, not destroyed.

Applied chemistry and chemical engineering is the section of chemistry most closely related to the work of Laurus. This section of chemistry covers:

• Apparatus and production equipment
• Unit operations and processes
• Industrial inorganic chemicals
• Propellants and explosives
• Petroleum, petroleum derivatives and related products
• Coal and coal derivatives
• Mineralogical and geological chemistry
• Extractive metallurgy
• Ferrous metals and alloys
• Nonferrous metals and alloys
• Ceramics
• Cement and concrete products
• Air pollution and industrial hygiene
• Sewage and wastes 
• Water
• Essential oils and cosmetics
• Pharmaceuticals

Almost all of these pertain to the current industries that Laurus serves.

Source:
“Chemistry”. The New Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 15. 1984. Print.