Chloe Zhang
Plastics are derived from a variety of natural resources, including cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, and crude oil. The first synthetic polymer was invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt, who treated cellulose derived from cotton fiber with camphor to create a mouldable plastic. Since then, plastics have been produced from fossil fuels, and more recently, renewable resources. The creation of synthetic plastics has helped to alleviate the strain on natural resources, but their slow decomposition rate in natural ecosystems has also led to widespread environmental concerns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Natural resources plastics are derived from | Crude oil, natural gas, coal, cellulose, salt |
| Synthetic plastics are derived from | Crude oil, natural gas, coal |
| Biobased plastics are derived from | Carbohydrates, fats, oils |
| Plastics are composed of | Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, chlorine, silicon |
| Plastics are | Polymers |
| Plastics are made by | Linking chains of molecules (monomers) to create a large molecule (polymer) |
| Plasticity | The property that allows plastics to be moulded, extruded, or pressed into various shapes |
| Thermoplastics | Can be moulded repeatedly |
| Thermosets | Can melt and take shape only once |
| Feedstocks | Alkanes, olefins, propylene, ethylene, butylenes |
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What You'll Learn
Crude oil, natural gas, and coal
The natural resources used to produce plastics include crude oil, natural gas, and coal. Crude oil, a complex mixture of thousands of compounds, serves as a source of raw material (feedstock) for plastic production. Before use, it undergoes processing to separate it into lighter components called fractions, with naphtha being crucial for plastics. Crude oil derivatives, such as alkanes and olefins, are used as feedstock for petrochemical crackers, producing plastics' basic building blocks.
Natural gas, another significant feedstock, is obtained through processing and provides direct inputs for plastics manufacturing. Methane, the simplest hydrocarbon, is derived from natural gas and crude oil, and it plays a vital role in plastic production.
Coal, a fossil fuel, is also used in plastic production, contributing to the synthesis of synthetic plastics.
These natural resources, through polymerisation or polycondensation processes, create plastics with unique characteristics, such as low weight, durability, flexibility, and chemical resistance. The plasticity of these materials allows them to be moulded, extruded, or pressed into various solid forms, making them versatile for consumer and industrial applications.
It is worth noting that the development of bioplastics from renewable resources, such as plant crops, aims to address environmental concerns associated with conventional plastics derived from fossil fuels.
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Biobased plastics from carbohydrates, fats, and oils
Synthetic plastics are derived from crude oil, natural gas, or coal. In contrast, biobased plastics, also known as bioplastics, are made from renewable biomass sources such as carbohydrates, fats, and oils.
Bioplastics are biobased polymers that can be produced from renewable resources, including carbohydrates, vegetable oils, and other sources in the presence of microorganisms. They possess similar physical properties to synthetic plastics. However, they are degradable by microbes such as fungi, bacteria, and yeasts, resulting in the production of CO2, water, and biomass. Bioplastics can be found in the form of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), and polylactic acid (PLA).
Bioplastics can be used in a variety of applications, including paints, disposable packaging materials, and engineered applications of chemicals and fertilizers in agricultural systems. They can also be used as coatings for paper instead of traditional petrochemical coatings. As of 2018, bioplastics represented approximately 2% of the global plastics output, with PLA and starch-based products being the most commercially important types.
It is important to note that not all bioplastics are biodegradable, and the term biobased does not imply superiority with respect to the environment. The environmental impact of bioplastics depends on the respective life cycle assessments. While bioplastics are gaining interest due to the circular economy, cost and performance remain challenging factors for their widespread adoption.
Overall, biobased plastics derived from carbohydrates, fats, and oils offer a promising alternative to traditional synthetic plastics, providing similar physical properties while offering degradability by microbes and contributing to the development of a more sustainable future.
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Plastics from waste, CO2, and renewable materials
Plastics are organic polymers composed of various elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, and chlorine. Synthetic plastics are derived from crude oil, natural gas, or coal, while bio-based plastics come from renewable products such as carbohydrates, fats, and oils.
Plastics from waste
Plastics are a rapidly growing segment of municipal solid waste (MSW). The containers and packaging category had the most plastic tonnage at over 14.5 million tons in 2018. Plastic resins are also used in a variety of container and packaging products, such as PET beverage bottles, HDPE bottles for milk and water, and other resin types used in plastic containers, bags, sacks, wraps, and lids. Plastic food service items are typically made from polystyrene, while trash bags are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or low-density polyethylene (LDPE).
Plastics from CO2
Researchers have been working on producing plastic from carbon dioxide. At the University of Sheffield, researchers examined the environmental impact of producing plastic bottles from corn and recyclable PET, and while bioplastics did not perform well, they are still a viable alternative to fossil fuels. At CDUUK, researchers have figured out how to make polyacrylamide from carbon dioxide, which can be used to make nylon. Scientists at Covestro discovered a catalyst that could allow carbon dioxide to react with epoxides to produce a family of chemicals called "polyether polycarbonate polyols," the basis of polyurethane, which is used in mattresses, cushions, and refrigerator insulation. In the UK, Econic is producing polyurethane from carbon dioxide and expects to have foam products, coatings, sealants, and elastomers on the shelves within two years.
Plastics from renewable materials
Bioplastics are derived from renewable biomass sources, such as natural materials like shellac or cellulose. They can also be processed from natural biopolymers, including polysaccharides (e.g., corn starch, rice starch, cellulose), proteins (e.g., soy protein, gluten), and lipids (e.g., fatty acids, vegetable oils). Bioplastics are biodegradable, reduce waste, and have a lower environmental impact than conventional plastics. They also reduce dependence on fossil fuels and contribute to more efficient use of natural resources. However, bioplastics have a higher aquatic ecotoxicity than conventional materials, and their production involves using pesticides and fertilizers, which can contribute to water pollution.
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Plastics are polymers
Plastics are a type of synthetic polymer derived from natural, organic materials such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, and crude oil. The process of converting these raw materials into plastic involves polymerization or polycondensation, where smaller molecules chemically react to form long-chain macromolecules called polymers. These polymers are the building blocks of plastics, and they consist of repeating units of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and chlorine.
Plastics are a specific type of polymer with a large molecular mass and a mostly linear structure. They are created by humans and do not occur naturally. The first synthetic plastic, known as Bakelite, was created in 1907 or 1909 for telephone and electrical components.
Polymers, on the other hand, can be either natural or synthetic. They are formed when small molecules, known as monomers, combine chemically to create a larger network of connected molecules. Monomers are generally reactive organic molecules with specific physical and chemical properties. They are the building blocks for manufacturing different plastics and are essential in creating medical products, fuel additives, and more.
The industrial applications of polymers are extensive, and they serve as raw materials for various products. The most common polymer used for industrial applications is synthetic plastics. Polymers can be modified to form semi-synthetic polymers, such as cellulose nitrate and cellulose acetate. Synthetic polymers, on the other hand, are artificially synthesized in industries, with plastic being the most common example.
The unique characteristics of polymers, such as their large molecular mass and chemical resistance, make them valuable in various applications. The fundamental differences in polymer properties arise from the varying functional groups within their molecular structure, influencing their mechanical, thermal, and chemical resistance capabilities.
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Synthetic plastics
The first synthetic polymer was invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt, who treated cellulose derived from cotton fibre with camphor. This discovery allowed humans to create materials without the constraints of nature, protecting natural resources from the destructive forces of human needs.
The term "plastic" comes from the Greek "plastikos" and the Latin "plasticus," meaning "fit for moulding" or "capable of being moulded." This refers to the material's malleability during manufacture, allowing it to be cast into various shapes.
Plastics are polymers, which are formed by linking chains of molecules (monomers) to create a large molecule. This process makes polymers strong and durable. An example of a commonly used plastic is polystyrene.
While most plastics are produced from natural gas and petroleum, a growing minority are produced from renewable resources, such as polylactic acid.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastics are derived from natural, organic materials such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt and, most commonly, crude oil. Crude oil is a complex mixture of thousands of compounds and needs to be processed before it can be used to make plastic.
Plastics are a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic materials composed primarily of polymers. Their defining characteristic, plasticity, allows them to be moulded, extruded, or pressed into a diverse range of solid forms.
Plastic has helped humans by freeing them from the social and economic constraints imposed by the scarcity of natural resources. It has also made many of our possessions cheaper, lighter, safer, and stronger.
