Petrochemical products

Introduction to Petrochemicals

Petrochemical products are products created in the petrochemical process by altering the molecular structure of raw materials derived from petroleum and natural gas

Petrochemical products are integral to nearly every aspect of daily life, ranging from food packaging to household appliances and transportation vehicles. For instance, in contemporary aircraft such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, over half of the aircraft’s structure is constructed from synthetic materials derived from petrochemicals. This illustrates that the petrochemical industry not only links oil and gas extraction with vital industrial sectors but also exerts a significant influence across various industries, including textiles, plastics, rubber, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.

The primary raw materials for producing petrochemical products are categorized into three groups based on their chemical structure.

• The first group is olefins, which includes ethylene, propylene, butylene, and butadiene. These serve as foundational materials for the production of industrial chemicals, plastics, and synthetic rubber.
• The second group consists of aromatic compounds, such as benzene, toluene, and xylene. This category of products has numerous practical applications: benzene is a key raw material for dyes and synthetic detergents; benzene and toluene are utilized in the production of isocyanates; and xylene is employed in the manufacture of plastics and synthetic fibers.
• Lastly, there is synthesis gas, a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which is commonly used to produce ammonia and methanol. Ammonia is an essential ingredient in the production of fertilizers, nitric acid, and amine-based compounds, while methanol serves as an important solvent and precursor for other petrochemical products.

Nghi Son Refinery & Petrochemical LLC (NSRP) currently produces three main petrochemical products: polypropylene, benzene, and paraxylene.