PETROCHEMICALS MAKE THINGS HAPPEN

Consumer
electronics

Engine
coolant

Glass
reinforced
plastics

Agrochemicals

Automotive

Detergents

Automotive,
luggage

Food
packaging

Footwear,
tyres

Paper

Sports
equipment

Adhesives

Electric &
electronic
appliances

Coatings,
adhesives,
inks, detergents,
pharmaceuticals,
chemical synthesis

Automotive

Disposable
nappies

Medical
equipment

Food packaging

Furniture

Unbreakable
glass

Construction

Food,
pharmaceuticals,
cosmetics

Electric &
electronic
appliances

Engine
coolant

Textile

Marine
industry,
bathware

Paints,
coatings,
textile,
adhesives

Acrylic
paints

Coatings,
adhesives, inks,
detergents,
pharmaceuticals,
chemical
synthesis

Kitchen
appliances

Sportswear

Solvents
Synthetic
rubbers
Acrylate
elastomers

PVC plastics

Ethyl
acrylate

Vinyl chloride
monomer

Polyethylenes
(LDPE, HDPE,
LLDPE)

Plastics
Vinyl acetate
monomer

Solvents
Ethyl
acetate

Superabsorbents

Ethyl
hexanol

Polyacrylate

Ethyl
amines

PMMA

Isobutyl
acetate

n-Butylacetate

Acrylic
esters

MMA

Solvents

Ethyl alcohol

Chewing
gum

Fuel

Building &
construction

Food
packaging

Pharmaceuticals

Engine
lubricants

Detergents,
agrochemicals

Home
furnishings,
sports
equipment

Automotive

Furniture

Gardening
implements

Thermal
insulation

Electrics &
electronics

Sports
equipment

Automotive

Fuel

CDs

Detergents

Higher olefins

Coatings, inks,
edhesives for
professional use,
chemical processing

MTBE (Fuel ether)

n-Butanol

Isobutanol

Acrylic acid

Isopropyl
acetate

Acetone

Phenolic
resins

Polyurethane

Nylon
Cyclohexane

MTBE
(Fuel ether)

Polyisobutylene

Epoxy
resin

Polycarbonate

Butyl
rubbers

Acetaldehyde

Solvents

Bisphenol A

PMMA

Chemical intermediates
Phenolic resins

SBR
synthetic
rubber

Unsaturated
polyesters
ABS, SAN
plastics

Solvents

Polystyrene
plastics

DEA
Polyesters
MEA

Styrene

TEA

Ethanolamines

(Mono) ethylene
glycol

Ethylene glycol
ethers

Solvents

Isobutylene

Solvents
Bisphenol A

Ethylene
glycol ethers
acetates

NBR
Synthetic rubber
Diethylene glycol

ABS
plastics

SAN
plastics

Acrylic
fibres

Phenol

Propylene
glycol ether
acetates

MMA

Acetone

Polymethyl methacrylate
(PMMA)

MMA

Phenol

Acetone

Cumene

PMMA
Polyester
resins

Phenolic resins

Textile

Surfactants

Formaldehyde

Isopropanol

Butyraldehyde

Epoxy
resin

Sports
equipment

n-Butenes

Acrylic acid

Polycarbonate

Building &
construction

Alkylbenzene

Isophorone

Acetic acid

Polypropylene

Ethylene
dichloride

Plasticisers

Printing
inks, paints,
lacquers,
adhesives

Unbreakable
glass

www.petrochemistry.eu

(Mono)
Propylene
glycol

Propylene
Glycols
(di-, tri-, )

Propylene glycol
ethers

Methyl
methacrylate
(MMA)

Polyurethane

Polyols

NBR
Nitrite
synthetic
rubber

SBR
Styrene
butadiene
rubber

Polystyrene
plastics

Flexible PVC

ABS/SAN

SBR
Styrene
butadiene rubber

Unsaturated
polyester

Polyurethane

Polyester

Plasticisers

Paraxylene

Orthoxylene

Styrene
Ethylbenzene

Ethylene oxide

Acrylonitrile

Cumene

Propylene oxide

Butadiene

Toluene
diisocyanate

Methanol

Solvents

Ethylbenzene

Ethylene

Propylene

C4 stream

Pygas

Benzene

OLEFINS

Toluene
AROMATICS

STEAM CRACKING

STEAM CRACKING

Ethane

LPG

Methane

STEAM CRACKING
CATALYTIC REFORMING

ASSOCIATED GASES

NAPHTHA
REFINING

CRUDE OIL

NAPHTHA

STEAM CRACKING

NGL

METHANE

PROCESSING

NATURAL GAS

Xylenes

www.petrochemistry.eu

Discover the world of petrochemicals

The advances of chemistry depend on

featured here, along with their end

products such as ethylene, propylene,

applications, as they are too numerous

butadiene and benzene. These are the

and their processes too complex.

raw materials of the petrochemical

industry, which turns them into products
used in 95 % of all manufactured goods.

But there is much more to petrochemicals.

Visit www.petrochemistry.eu, the gateway
to the world of petrochemicals online. And

Petrochemicals enhance product

take a tour of our interactive flowchart

lifecycles and increase the durability,

on www.petrochemistry.eu/flowchart.

flexibility and convenience of products,

Choose and click on the petrochemical

making materials more lightweight

product of your choice and its derivatives

and efficient. Such innovations may

to find your way on the path from raw

be found in renewable energy, such as

materials to everyday products.

windmills and solar panels, insulation

materials, healthcare, protection and
safety, long lasting infrastructures used
in construction and many more.
The Petrochemicals Europe flowchart
traces the main steps from raw materials
and feedstocks through to petrochemical
products, their derivatives and everyday
products. Only a few of these are

Well be happy to send you additonal

copies of this flowchart and receive your
feedback or answer your questions.
Petrochemicals Europe
c/o Cefic
Avenue E. Van Nieuwenhuyse 4
B - 1160 Brussels, Belgium
Tel. +32 2 676 72 57
Fax +32 2 676 72 16
info@petrochemistry.eu

The flowchart has been produced by Petrochemicals Europe, the voice of the European petrochemical industry.
Petrochemicals Europe is an essential forum for anybody with an interest in our industry, ie regulators, legislators,
press, scientific and educational communities, financial experts and consumers organisations. Its vision is for the
European petrochemical industry to be recognised as the foundation of future economic success in Europe, fuelling
innovation, manufacturing and employment. Petrochemicals Europe brings together about 90 member companies and
is part of Cefic, the European Chemical Industry Council.

WE BUILD THE FUTURE