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Petrochemicals are chemicals derived from petroleum or natural gas and are used in various products such as plastics, pharmaceuticals, and cleaners. Refineries produce primary chemicals like toluene, benzene, ethylene, and propylene, which can be further refined into intermediates or derivatives. However, the industry has faced criticism for its negative environmental impact and non-renewable resources.
A petrochemical is a chemical substance derived from petroleum or natural gas. These chemicals are typically extracted during the refining process when crude oil and gas are distilled or crushed and can be used in a variety of ways. The explosion of industry in the 20th century led to a proliferation of products that included petrochemical components and the demand for these chemicals is steadily increasing as people develop new products and new uses for those products. Refineries processing such chemicals can be found all over the world.
Some of the major petrochemicals obtained in the refining process include toluene, benzene, ethylene and propylene. These primary chemicals can be further refined into intermediates or derivatives that can be used in the manufacture of end-use goods. Most petrochemicals are hydrocarbons, reflecting the high concentration of hydrogen and carbon in crude oil, and are distinctive, though chemically similar, from fuels refined from crude oil.
A huge variety of products are made from petrochemicals, including plastics, soaps, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, pesticides, cleaners, flooring, solvents, and epoxies. Synthetic fibers, rubber and other materials are also produced from petrochemicals. Most people interact with numerous products of this type every day, from the synthetic fibers used in a fleece jacket on a cold day to the plastic used in the construction of a steering wheel.
Refineries can adjust their production of a primary petrochemical to meet demand in a number of ways. As petroleum is refined, it can be treated with fractional distillation, in which it is heated to separate the various components for use, or it can be “cracked” with a catalyst that breaks down hydrocarbon chains to create the desired products. Since petrochemicals are commonly in high demand, refineries must be able to act quickly to take advantage of favorable prices and demand.
The refining and production of end-stage petrochemicals has been criticized on the basis of environmental concerns. The extraction and transportation of crude oil can have a very negative environmental impact and the refining process can be highly polluting and sometimes dangerous for nearby communities. Petrochemicals are also very slow to degrade in the natural environment, raising questions about the proper use and disposal of consumer products. Even these products are not renewable, because they come from resources accumulated over millions of years, which means that once the world’s reserves of crude oil and natural gas are depleted, a serious problem could emerge for the petrochemical industry.
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