Abstract: Means and method for utilizing radiated electromagnetic energy to elevate at least one of two or more reactants 16 to a temperature at which a chemical reaction will take place so as to provide a desired reaction product 161. In practice, at least one of reactants 16 must be, or be made, susceptible to heating when radiated with electromagnetic energy. Electromagnetic energy source 12 provides sufficient power to raise the temperature of said at least one reactant 16 to cause that reactant to further raise the temperature of associated reactant materials making them further susceptible to heating under the influence of the impinging electromagnetic energy waves. The electromagnetic energy is provided at sufficient power to raise the temperature to the point at which reactants 16 will react chemically to produce a desired reaction product. Since the heating action is localized, little or no energy is wasted in raising the wall temperatures of the reaction vessel 11 in which the material 16 is radiated.