a chemical produced and handled in large lots (as a ton or more a day) and often in a more or less crude state —used especially of acids (as sulfuric acid), alkalies, and salts (as aluminum sulfate) — compare
e.gOil, mining, shipbuilding, steel, chemicals, machinery manufacturing and similar industries are examples of heavy industry. They are very capital-intensive, meaning that they require a lot of machinery and equipment to produce.