Knowra Petrochemical Petrochemical A chemical produced from petroleum or natural gas, often by refining or chemical conversion. Petrochemicals serve as feedstocks for plastics, solvents, fertilizers, and many other products.
Ethylene : A two-carbon alkene used widely to make plastics and other chemicals. This major petrochemical building block feeds production of polyethylene and numerous derivatives.
Steam cracking : A high-temperature process that breaks hydrocarbons into smaller molecules, especially alkenes. It converts ethane or naphtha into ethylene, propylene, and related feedstocks.
Polyethylene : A widely used plastic made by polymerizing ethylene. It is one of the largest-volume products made from a petrochemical building block.
Plastic pollution : The accumulation of plastic materials in the environment, where they persist and harm ecosystems. Much plastic pollution originates in products made from petrochemical feedstocks.
Propylene : A three-carbon alkene used to produce plastics, fibers, and chemical intermediates. Steam cracking produces this feedstock for polypropylene and other industrial chemicals.
Catalytic reforming : A petroleum-refining process that converts naphtha into higher-octane hydrocarbons and aromatics. It supplies benzene, toluene, and xylenes used as petrochemical feedstocks.
Polypropylene : A thermoplastic polymer made from propylene and used in packaging, textiles, and components. It demonstrates how a basic petrochemical becomes a versatile material.
Greenhouse gas emissions : Gases released into the atmosphere that trap heat and contribute to climate change. Petrochemical production uses fossil carbon and energy, creating emissions across its supply chain.
Benzene : An aromatic hydrocarbon used as a starting material for many chemicals and polymers. This aromatic building block leads to products such as styrene, phenol, and nylon intermediates.
Fluid catalytic cracking : A refinery process that uses a powdered catalyst to break heavy oil into lighter products. Its light olefin coproducts can enter petrochemical manufacturing.
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