How do you learn to craft a crucible, without first learning to craft a chem station? You don't need the chem station for a part of the crucible, it's just set in stone part of the learning path. For no "sim" reason, I might add, but to gate your progress.
Some things you absolutely have to learn in a certain order, just for the gating.
Is that the biggest of deals? No. But the rest of the game, while not as strict, is set to progress similarly on rails. Spawn in, get yellow markers to pester you to go to Rekt's. D1 Solve generating water, D2 Solve cooking water, D3 quest until tier, D5/6 get your draisine and ride it to burnt. D7 fight a horde in burnt.