Ethan Clarke
Plastic is derived from natural, organic materials such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, and crude oil. The word 'plastic' comes from the Greek 'plastikos' and the Latin 'plasticus', meaning 'fit to be moulded'. Plastics are polymers, which are made by linking chains of molecules (monomers) together to create a large molecule (a polymer). The process of making plastic involves the distillation of crude oil in an oil refinery, separating it into lighter components called fractions. One of these fractions, naphtha, is crucial for plastic production. Plastics are used in a wide range of applications, from toys to phones, vehicles, and homes, and contribute to sustainability by making products lighter and reducing fuel consumption during shipping.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Natural resources for plastic | Cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, and crude oil |
| Synthetic plastics derived from | Crude oil, natural gas, or coal |
| Biobased plastics derived from | Renewable products such as carbohydrates, fats, and oils |
| Plastics composition | Organic polymers (synthetic or natural) of high molecular weight |
| Plastics composition elements | Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and chlorine |
| Plastics production process | Polymerisation or polycondensation |
| Plastic term origin | Greek word 'plastikos' and Latin 'plasticus' meaning 'fit for moulding' |
| Plastic property | Plasticity, or the ability to deform irreversibly without breaking |
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What You'll Learn
Crude oil
The process of converting crude oil into plastic involves two main steps: polymerisation and polycondensation. Both steps require specific catalysts. In polymerisation, monomers such as ethylene and propylene are linked together to form long polymer chains. These links make polymers strong and durable. This process of linking monomers together is also known as addition polymerisation.
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Natural gas
The production of plastic from natural gas begins with the processing of the gas to extract hydrocarbons, such as alkanes and olefins. Alkanes can be used as feedstock for petrochemical crackers, which produce the basic building blocks for plastic. Olefins, such as propylene, ethylene, and butylenes, can be used as direct inputs for plastic manufacturing.
While natural gas is a crucial natural resource for plastic production, there is a growing trend towards using alternative, more sustainable feedstocks. Bioplastics, for example, are made from renewable biomass sources such as carbohydrates, fats, and oils. Additionally, in the future, plastics will increasingly be made from waste, renewable materials, or CO2, reducing reliance on natural gas and other fossil fuels as feedstocks.
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Coal
The use of coal in plastic production has environmental implications. As high-income regions have outsourced the energy-intensive steps of plastic production to coal-based economies, the growing environmental footprint of plastic production is driven by coal combustion. Strategies for sustainable plastic production and consumption require information on the entire value chain, including fossil resource extraction, resin production, and end-of-life treatments.
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Salt
One process where salt is important is in the polymerization reaction, which is a critical step in plastic production. Salt can act as a catalyst in this reaction, facilitating the combination of monomers to form polymer chains. These polymer chains are the building blocks of plastic. The role of salt here is to increase the reactivity of the monomers, allowing them to form stronger bonds and create a more durable plastic product.
Additionally, salt can be used as a plasticizer. When added to certain polymers, salt can increase the flexibility and durability of the resulting plastic. This is because the sodium and chloride ions can interact with the polymer chains, altering their physical properties. This process is often used to create plastic products that need to be bendable or stretchable, such as plastic bags or packaging materials.
The use of salt in plastic production can also have environmental benefits. For example, when salt is added to certain polymer mixtures, it can help reduce the amount of toxic additives needed to achieve the desired physical properties. This results in a more environmentally friendly production process and a safer end product.
In summary, salt is a valuable natural resource that plays a significant role in the production of plastic. Its chemical properties make it a versatile tool in the plastic manufacturing process, allowing for the creation of durable, flexible, and environmentally friendly plastic products.
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Carbohydrates, fats and oils
Plastic is derived from natural resources or synthetically created resources. Synthetic plastics are derived from fossil fuels such as crude oil, natural gas, and coal. Crude oil is the principal source of carbon for modern plastic. However, with growing concerns over limited oil reserves, there is a rising demand for plastics derived from renewable resources.
Bio-based plastics, also known as bioplastics, are made from renewable biomass sources. These plastics are derived from natural biopolymers, including polysaccharides (e.g., corn starch or rice starch), cellulose, chitosan, and alginate. They can also be produced through chemical synthesis from sugar derivatives (e.g., lactic acid) and lipids (vegetable fats and oils from plants or animals).
Carbohydrates, fats, and oils are essential components of bioplastics. Carbohydrates, in the form of starch, cellulose, and sugar, can be used as substitutes for fossil fuel resources in the production of bioplastics. Vegetable oils, in particular, have gained attention as a renewable feedstock for bioplastics. For instance, OleoPlast, a novel bioplastic introduced by Lamanna et al., is based on ethyl cellulose and vegetable oils, offering both recyclability and biodegradability.
Fats and oils, whether from plant or animal sources, are crucial in the chemical synthesis of bioplastics. They serve as lipid sources, providing the necessary molecules for constructing the polymer chains that define plastics. This use of vegetable fats and oils in bioplastics contributes to sustainability and reduces the consumption of non-renewable resources.
While bioplastics offer advantages in terms of renewability and biodegradability, they also face challenges. The production of bioplastics from edible crop parts can compete with food production, impacting food security. Additionally, bioplastics may have inferior mechanical properties compared to conventional plastics, such as lower strength and durability. Nonetheless, ongoing research and advancements are expected to improve the performance and reduce the costs of bioplastics over time.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastics are made from natural, organic materials such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, and crude oil.
Synthetic plastics are derived from crude oil, natural gas, or coal. Some examples of synthetic plastics are Bakelite, nylon, and plexiglass.
Bio-based plastics are made from renewable products such as carbohydrates, fats, and oils.
The process of making plastic involves converting long-chain hydrocarbons into simpler hydrocarbons through a process called "cracking." This can be done through steam cracking or catalytic cracking. The resulting hydrocarbons are then turned into chemicals that can be used to prepare plastics.
