ABSTRACT
A petrochemical is a chemical product developed from petroleum that has become an essential part of the modern chemical industry. Primary petrochemicals include: olefin derivatives such as ethylene, propylene, and butadiene; aromatic derivatives such as benzene, toluene, and the isomers of xylene; and methanol. Petroleum products are those hydrocarbon fractions that are derived from petroleum and have commercial value as a bulk product. The petrochemical industry, as the name implies, is based upon the production of chemicals from petroleum. Petrochemical intermediates are generally produced by chemical conversion of primary petrochemicals to form more complicated derivative products. Petrochemicals are chemicals derived from petroleum and natural gas and, for convenience of identification, petrochemicals can be divided into two groups: primary petrochemicals and intermediates and derivatives. The petrochemical industry is concerned with the production and trade of petrochemicals and has a direct relationship with the petroleum industry, especially the downstream sector of the industry.
