Petrochemicals and chemicals derived from petrochemicals are related, but they have distinct differences.
Petrochemicals: Petrochemicals are chemical compounds that are derived from petroleum or natural gas. They are typically obtained through a refining process called petrochemical refining, which involves the separation and conversion of hydrocarbons found in crude oil or natural gas. Petrochemicals serve as building blocks for a wide range of products and industries. Some common examples of petrochemicals include ethylene, propylene, benzene, toluene, xylene, and methanol.
Chemicals derived from petrochemicals: Chemicals derived from petrochemicals refer to the various chemical compounds that are produced using petrochemicals as raw materials. These chemicals are synthesized by further processing or modifying the basic petrochemicals. For example, ethylene can be used as a raw material to produce polyethylene, which is a common plastic used in various applications. Similarly, propylene can be used to produce polypropylene, another versatile plastic.
In essence, petrochemicals are the initial compounds derived from petroleum or natural gas, while chemicals derived from petrochemicals are the products obtained by transforming or utilizing these petrochemicals through various chemical processes. The chemicals derived from petrochemicals find extensive applications in industries such as plastics, textiles, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, detergents, fertilizers, and many more.