What is a Petrochemical?

A petrochemical is a chemical which has been derived from petroleum or natural gas. These chemicals are typically extracted during the refining process as crude oil and gas are distilled or cracked, and they can be utilized in a wide variety of ways. The explosion of the industry in the 20th century led to a proliferation of products which involved petrochemical components, and demand for these chemicals is constantly on the rise as people develop new products and new uses for such products. Refineries which process such chemicals can be found all over the world. Some of the primary petrochemicals obtained in the refining process include toluene, benzene, ethylene, and propylene. These primary chemicals can be further refined into intermediate or derivative products which can be used in the manufacture of end-use goods. Most of the petrochemicals are hydrocarbons, reflecting the high concentration of hydrogen and carbon in crude oil, and they are distinctive, though chemically ...  more