Petrochemistry

Petrochemicals, frequently shortened to petchems, are the chemical byproducts of processing petroleum. Other fossil fuels, like coal or natural gas, or renewable sources, like maize, palm fruit, or sugar cane, can also be used to produce some chemical compounds that are generated from petroleum. Olefins and aromatics are the two most widely used petrochemical classes. Olefins and aromatics are created through fluid catalytic cracking of petroleum fractions in oil refineries. Olefins are produced at chemical facilities by the steam cracking of natural gas liquids like ethane and propane. Catalytic reforming of naphtha results in the production of aromatics. Olefins and aromatics are the fundamental components of a broad variety of substances, including adhesives, detergents, and solvents. Olefins serve as the building blocks for the polymers and oligomers that are used to make gels, plastics, resins, fibres, elastomers, and other products.