by Petrochemicals are organic chemicals that are derived directly from petroleum or natural gas. These basic chemicals are used as building blocks for a wide range of products. Here are the top 15 most common petrochemicals that are manufactured and used extensively by various industries worldwide.
Ethylene
Ethylene is the world’s most widely produced organic compound and Top 15 Petrochemicals. It is primarily used to manufacture polyethylene plastics. Approximately 150 million tons of ethylene is produced each year to make polymers such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and ethylene glycol. Some key uses of ethylene include plastic bags, bottles, pipes, shampoo bottles, food packaging, and trash cans.
Propylene
Propylene is the second most widely produced organic compound and Top 15 Petrochemicals. Around 100 million tons of propylene are produced annually. It is primarily used to make polypropylene plastics as well as propylene oxide. Polypropylene has applications in containers, wrappings, disposable napkins, plastic parts for cars and appliances, ropes and textiles. Propylene oxide is used to make polyurethane foam for cushions, mattresses and automobile seats.
Benzene
Benzene is a highly flammable, colorless liquid that evaporates quickly. About 50 million tons of benzene are manufactured globally from petroleum refining sources. It is primarily used to manufacture other chemical compounds like styrene, cyclohexane, cumene and aniline. Some of its applications include plastics, nylon, synthetic fibers, rubbers, lubricants, dyes, detergents and pesticides.
Xylenes
Xylenes are aromatic hydrocarbon compounds derived from petroleum and coal tar sources. Around 35 million tons of xylenes are produced each year. Xylenes find primary applications in the manufacture of plastics like polyester and synthetic fibers. Para-xylene is used to produce terephthalic acid that is further used in making plastic bottles and polyester fabrics. Ortho-xylene and Meta-xylene are also used as solvents for paints, coatings and many organic compounds.
Polyethylene
Polyethylene is the most common plastic and is produced from ethylene using a variety of processes. Over 100 million tons of Polyethylene is produced annually and is used globally to make various flexible plastic packaging products, trash bags, plastic pipes and containers. Low-density polyethylene is used for shampoo bottles and shopping bags whereas high-density polyethylene creates milk jugs and detergent bottles. Linear low density polyethylene is also used for industrial film, bags and sheet applications.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer derived from propylene through polymerization. Over 80 million tons of Polypropylene are manufactured globally. It is used for a variety of applications ranging from biaxially-oriented polypropylene films for packaging to injection molding to make bottle caps, drinking straws, plastic parts for many products and fibers for ropes and carpets. Its applications include bottles, fibers, containers, automotive interior and exterior parts, medical and laboratory equipment.
PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride
PVC is produced by subjecting vinyl chloride monomer to polymerization. Around 40 million tons of PVC is produced globally each year to manufacture an array of products including pipes, fittings, window frames, flooring, medical instruments and devices, wire and cable insulation, credit cards and many more vinyl products that require durability and impact strength.
Ethylene Glycol
Ethylene glycol is mainly made from ethylene and is used to manufacture polyester fibers and plastic bottles. Other key uses of Ethylene Glycol include antifreeze and coolant for vehicles and heat transfer systems. About 20 million tons of ethylene glycol is produced each year.
Chlorine
Over 50 million tons of chlorine is produced annually from the electrolysis of brine or sodium chloride solution. It finds primary application in the manufacture of PVC as well as cleaning products like bleaches. Other uses include water treatment, plastics, pharmaceuticals, dyes, chemicals, polyurethane foams and pesticides.
Butadiene
Butadiene, a four-carbon alkene, is a colorless gas that liquefies under moderately low pressure and is soluble in many organic solvents. Around 13 million tons of butadiene is produced annually. Its main application is the production of synthetic rubber for tires. Other uses are latex binders, plastics and nylon.
Methanol
Methanol is a light, colorless, flammable liquid commonly known as wood alcohol. Around 110 million tons of methanol is manufactured every year globally, primarily from natural gas. Key applications are formaldehyde, acetic acid, MTBE fuel additive, solvents, antifreeze and engineering plastics. It is also used in chemical syntheses, such as pharmaceuticals, paints and varnishes.
Benzene
Benzene is a highly flammable, colorless liquid that evaporates quickly. About 50 million tons of benzene are manufactured globally from petroleum refining sources. It is primarily used to manufacture other chemical compounds like styrene, cyclohexane, cumene and aniline. Some of its applications include plastics, nylon, synthetic fibers, rubbers, lubricants, dyes, detergents and pesticides.
Toluene
Toluene is an aromatic hydrocarbon that is a colorless, water-insoluble liquid with the smell associated with paint thinners. Over 30 million tons of toluene is produced globally. Its major applications are in producing benzene, xylene, toluene diisocyanate, trinitrotoluene and various pharmaceuticals. It also serves as a solvent for paints, coatings, adhesives, lacquers, printing inks and many other chemical processes.
Cumene
Cumene is a flammable colorless liquid widely used in producing phenol and acetone from oxidation and cleavage respectively. Global annual production of cumene is around 20 million tons. Key applications of Phenol include bisphenol A for epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics while acetone finds applications as a solvent, in the chemical industry, automotive industry, cosmetics and more.
Ammonia
Around 180 million tons of ammonia is manufactured annually worldwide. While some ammonia undergoes further chemical reactions to become fertilizers, other applications are in cleaning products, plastics, pharmaceuticals, explosives and refrigerants.
This covers the top 15 petrochemicals that are widely manufactured from petroleum and natural gas and play a vital role as basic building blocks for hundreds of useful organic and industrial chemicals as well as plastics, fibers, paints, coatings, elastomers and more. Petrochemical industries worldwide
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public Source, Desk Research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it.
