Omar Khalid
Plastic is a product of extracting and refining fossil fuels for energy, and the amount of plastic produced is influenced by the demand for and production of oil and gas. Petroleum, or crude oil, is made from animal and plant matter that undergoes heat and pressure underground for millions of years. Synthetic plastic comes from petrochemicals, and the majority of plastic in use today is synthetic due to the ease of manufacturing methods involved in the processing of crude oil. Over 99% of plastic is made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels, and the fossil fuel and plastic industries are deeply intertwined.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of plastic made from fossil fuels | 99% |
| Plastic derived from crude oil | Petroleum gas, gasoline, paraffin, naphtha, light oil, heavy oil |
| Plastic derived from natural gas | Ethylene, propylene |
| Synthetic polymers derived from petroleum | Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), nylon, polyester (PS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), epoxy |
| Biodegradable plastics | Natural (starch, cellulose, lignin, gelatin, wool, silk, fats and oils, polyesters), synthetic (bioerodable, hydrobiodegradable, photobiodegradable) |
| Amount of synthetic plastic produced annually | 140 million tons |
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What You'll Learn
Petroleum plastic is made from fossil fuels
The process of making petroleum plastic begins with the extraction of oil from the earth. Holes are drilled through rocks to obtain the oil, which then flows to refineries through pipelines. At the refinery, the oil is heated to a temperature between 600 and 750 degrees Fahrenheit and distilled. This process, known as fractional distillation, separates the oil into smaller components called fractions. These fractions contain hydrocarbons, which are crucial for the creation of plastic.
Fractional distillation yields various products, including gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, bitumen (asphalt), lubricating oil, residual fuel oil, and naphtha. Naphtha, composed of numerous hydrocarbons, is of particular importance in plastic production. It contains two key compounds, ethane and propene, which serve as the fundamental components of synthetic plastics. Steam cracking is employed to break down naphtha into these desired components.
The subsequent step in the process is polymerization, where simple molecules like ethylene and propylene are chemically bonded to form chains, creating long molecular chains known as polymers. These polymers are the building blocks of plastic, and their production from fossil fuels contributes to the growing plastic pollution crisis.
The production of plastics from fossil fuels is closely linked to the energy industry. Industry analyses reveal that manufacturing plastics from fossil fuels is cost-effective only when the byproducts not used for plastics are utilized for energy production. This interdependence between the plastic and fossil fuel industries presents an opportunity for transition. By moving away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources, we can simultaneously reduce the production of wasteful single-use plastics.
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Plastic pollution and its link to climate change
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that demands global cooperation, much like climate change. The two are closely linked, with plastic pollution contributing to and accelerating climate change.
Plastics are derived from fossil fuels, with 98% of single-use plastic being made from petrochemicals, or components derived from oil and gas. The extraction, transport, refining, manufacturing, and disposal of plastics all create carbon emissions, which contribute to global warming. The production of plastics is influenced by the demand for and production of oil and gas. As such, transitioning away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources is crucial in addressing both plastic pollution and climate change.
The plastic life cycle generates heat-trapping gases at every stage, from extraction to disposal. Plastic waste in the ocean may interfere with its capacity to absorb and sequester carbon dioxide, further exacerbating climate change. Additionally, plastic waste can release toxic chemicals, damaging soil, poisoning groundwater, and harming living creatures, including humans. Microplastics, formed through biodegradation or exposure to the sun, heat, or water, can scatter across the globe, even reaching the ocean depths, where they are ingested by aquatic animals and enter the food chain.
The overproduction and consumption of single-use plastics are key drivers of plastic pollution. Despite growing awareness and changing attitudes, the demand for disposable plastics is expected to rise, particularly with increasing consumer markets in developing countries. To address plastic pollution and its contribution to climate change, a reduction in plastic usage and a transition to reusable alternatives are essential. Recycling can play a role in waste reduction, but it is not a standalone solution, given the low commercial value and high cost of recycled plastics.
Addressing plastic pollution requires a comprehensive approach, including international cooperation, policy interventions, and individual actions. The United Nations has recognized the urgency of the issue, working towards an international legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution by tackling its full life cycle. Individual actions, such as adopting a single-use plastic-free lifestyle, are also important in reducing plastic waste and mitigating climate change.
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The process of making plastic from petroleum
Plastic is traditionally made from petroleum byproducts, although the majority of plastic in the US is now derived from natural gas liquids (NGLs). Crude oil is a source of raw material (feedstock) for making plastics, but it is not the major source of feedstock for plastics production in the United States.
The production of plastics from fossil fuels is driven by the demand for and production of oil and gas. The process of making plastic from petroleum involves several steps. Firstly, the extraction of raw materials such as crude oil and natural gas, which are complex mixtures of thousands of compounds that need to be processed.
The second step is the refining process, where crude oil is heated in a furnace and sent to a distillation unit, where it separates into lighter components called fractions. These fractions contain hydrocarbons with a similar number of carbon atoms, with smaller molecules towards the top and longer molecules towards the bottom of the column. This process results in the decomposition of petroleum into petroleum gas, gasoline, paraffin (kerosene), naphtha, light oil, and heavy oil. Naphtha, a crucial compound for plastic production, is obtained from this step.
The third step is polymerisation, where light olefin gases (gasoline) such as ethylene, propylene, and butylene (monomers) are converted into higher molecular weight hydrocarbons (polymers). This occurs when monomers are chemically bonded into chains. Polymerisation and polycondensation are the two main processes used to produce plastics, and they require specific catalysts.
The final step is compounding, where different blends of materials are melt-blended and then pelletised. These pellets are then transformed into finished or semi-finished plastic products through extrusion or moulding processes. The pellets can be processed into plastic objects of unique designs, sizes, shapes, and colours using a twin-screw extruder.
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The dominance of petroleum plastic over bioplastics
The majority of plastics in use today are derived from petroleum, with only a small proportion originating from bioplastics. This dominance of petroleum-based plastics can be attributed to several factors, including cost, performance, and the limitations of current bioplastic alternatives.
Firstly, the primary reason for the widespread use of petroleum plastic is its cost-effectiveness. Petroleum-based plastics are often cheaper to produce than bioplastics, especially in regions with abundant and affordable natural gas, such as the United States. The natural gas boom in the U.S. has made plastic feedstocks readily available and inexpensive, fueling the continued reliance on petroleum-based plastics. Additionally, the production of plastics from fossil fuels is considered cost-effective when the byproducts are utilized for energy production, further reinforcing the dominance of petroleum-based plastics.
Secondly, petroleum-based plastics have specific performance characteristics that have made them a preferred choice in various industries. They offer advantages such as durability, thermostability, and waterproof properties that are not always consistently matched by current bioplastic alternatives. The versatility and ease of manufacturing methods associated with petroleum-based plastics have made them indispensable in numerous applications, from packaging and bottles to electrical cords and clothing.
Moreover, the dominance of petroleum-based plastics is sustained by the limitations of bioplastics. While bioplastics have gained attention as potential substitutes, they face challenges in terms of durability, thermostability, and waterproof properties. The refinement of bioplastics from agricultural waste requires further research and development to achieve the same level of efficiency as petroleum refinement. Additionally, the toxicity of some bioplastics and plant-based materials has been a cause for concern, with certain compounds triggering strong in vitro toxicity.
The transition towards renewable energy and the growing awareness of plastic pollution have sparked interest in developing sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics. Bioplastics are being explored as eco-friendly replacements for single-use plastics, leveraging their ability to degrade more rapidly due to their molecular bonds. However, the current challenge lies in scaling up the production of bioplastics and addressing the limitations in their performance characteristics.
In summary, the dominance of petroleum-based plastics over bioplastics is influenced by economic factors, performance advantages, and the current limitations of bioplastic alternatives. While there is a growing trend towards exploring sustainable options, the world continues to rely predominantly on petroleum-based plastics, highlighting the need for innovative solutions and a shift towards renewable resources.
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The biodegradability of petroleum-based plastic
Plastic is traditionally made from petroleum byproducts, but the majority of plastic in the US is now sourced from natural gas. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) is unable to determine the specific amounts or origins of the feedstocks used to manufacture plastics in the US. However, the EIA does state that petrochemical feedstock naphtha and other oils refined from crude oil are used as feedstocks for petrochemical crackers that produce the basic building blocks for making plastics.
Petroleum-based plastics are primarily non-degradable and remain in the environment for many years. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that 12% of the total 292.4 million tons of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) generated in 2018 was plastic waste. Of the total MSW generated that year, 146.1 million tons accumulated in landfills, of which plastics comprised 18.46%. Only 4.47% of the 69.1 million tons of MSW recycled that year were plastics.
The accumulation of plastic waste is a significant issue, and there is a growing demand for newer plastics made from renewable resources. Bioplastics are produced from renewable biomass sources and can be biodegradable, providing a possible solution to reduce non-degradable plastic waste. Bioplastics have gained noticeable interest in the last 20 years, and developments in metabolic and genetic engineering have expanded the research on bioplastics and their applications. For example, PHAs can be used as biodegradable plastics that can replace petroleum-based plastics.
However, some petroleum-based plastics are made with biodegradability additives to break them down into smaller fragments. These additives do not enable non-compostable plastics to become compostable, and they have been found to be detrimental to recycling and composting efforts and open and marine environments. In a landfill, these plastics with additives also generate methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) maintains its position against the use of any additive in any petroleum-based plastic.
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Frequently asked questions
Over 99% of plastic is made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels, with the majority being synthetic and derived from crude oil and natural gas.
Petroleum, or crude oil, is made from animal and plant matter that undergoes heat and pressure changes underground for millions of years. This process, called fractional distillation, breaks the oil into smaller pieces called fractions, which contain hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons are then converted into useful chemicals, including monomers, which are the basic building blocks of polymers.
Petroleum-based plastics will never biodegrade. They can only be removed from the planet through incineration.
