Sofia Martinez
Plastic is derived from natural, organic materials such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, and crude oil. Synthetic plastics are typically derived from crude oil, natural gas, or coal, while biobased plastics are derived from renewable products such as carbohydrates, starch, vegetable fats and oils, bacteria, and other biological substances. The first man-made bioplastic, Parkesine, was made from cellulose nitrate and was hard, flexible, and transparent. Bioplastics are becoming increasingly popular as they take less time to degrade, save energy during manufacturing, and reduce waste.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Synthetic or biobased |
| Synthetic Plastics Derived From | Crude oil, natural gas, or coal |
| Biobased Plastics Derived From | Carbohydrates, starch, vegetable fats and oils, bacteria, and other biological substances |
| Percentage of Synthetic Plastics in Use | 94-96% |
| Natural Resources Used | Cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, and crude oil |
| Future Natural Resources | Waste, renewable materials, or CO2 |
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What You'll Learn
Crude oil and natural gas
Once extracted, the oil is transported via pipelines to refineries where it undergoes fractional distillation. This involves heating the oil to temperatures between 600 and 750 degrees Fahrenheit, which breaks the oil into smaller pieces called fractions. These fractions contain hydrocarbons, including gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, bitumen (asphalt), lubricating oil, residual fuel oil, and naphtha. Naphtha, composed of many different hydrocarbons, is the chemical that becomes the primary feedstock for making plastic.
Natural gas, on the other hand, is another fossil fuel that often serves as the starting point for plastic production, particularly in the United States. It contains methane, which is used for heating homes and generating electricity, and ethane, which is the key component in plastic production. Through a process called steam cracking, ethane is heated to high temperatures, causing its molecular bonds to weaken and rearrange, forming ethylene. This cracking process can produce other side products, including coke, which accumulates inside the pipes and needs to be cleaned out periodically.
Ethylene is a highly reactive molecule that can easily combine with other chemicals to form long molecular chains. These chains can be engineered to create polyethylene, a versatile plastic polymer with a wide range of applications. Polyethylene can be further classified as low-density or high-density, resulting in plastics with varying degrees of flexibility, toughness, and other physical properties.
Both crude oil and natural gas play a significant role in the production of synthetic plastics. Synthetic plastics are derived from these fossil fuels or other sources such as coal. They differ from biobased plastics, which are made from renewable resources like carbohydrates, starch, vegetable fats, oils, and bacteria. While biobased plastics offer a more sustainable alternative, the majority of plastic in use today is synthetic due to the ease of manufacturing methods when processing crude oil and natural gas.
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Crops and wood
The use of natural resources in plastic containers is an interesting and evolving area. While crude oil and natural gas are the principal sources of carbon for modern plastics, there is a growing demand for plastics derived from renewable resources, such as crops and wood.
Bioplastics, for example, are made from natural, renewable resources such as crops, wood pulp, and herbaceous fibres. They are a more sustainable alternative to traditional petrochemical plastics, which can take hundreds of years to degrade and often end up as marine or terrestrial pollution. Bioplastics have superior properties, including biodegradability, and they save energy during manufacturing. However, one of the challenges in adopting bioplastics is their compatibility with existing manufacturing processes.
Crops can be used to create biobased plastics, which are an alternative to synthetic plastics. Synthetic plastics are derived from non-renewable fossil fuels, such as crude oil, natural gas, or coal. Biobased plastics, on the other hand, are made from renewable products like carbohydrates, starch, vegetable fats and oils, and other biological substances. The transition towards biobased plastics is driven by the limited availability of oil reserves and the desire to reduce our dependence on them.
Wood has also been a traditional material for containers before the widespread use of plastic. Natural latex from the bark of rubber trees, for instance, was used by Mesoamerican cultures to create water-resistant containers and clothing. While plastic has largely replaced wood for containers, the development of bioplastics derived from wood pulp offers a promising alternative to synthetic plastics with a reduced environmental impact.
In conclusion, the evolution of plastic containers from natural resources like crops and wood reflects our changing understanding of materials and our environment. While crude oil and natural gas have dominated the plastic industry, the emergence of bioplastics made from crops and wood offers a more sustainable path forward. As we strive for more environmentally conscious solutions, the demand for renewable and biodegradable materials in plastic containers will likely shape the future of this industry.
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Synthetic plastic
The creation of synthetic plastics involves transforming petrochemicals into synthetic materials through chemical processes. Hydrocarbon molecules found in crude oil and natural gas are manipulated to produce plastics that are entirely man-made, with their components and structures altered in industrial settings. This distinguishes synthetic plastics from natural materials like wood or cotton, which are sourced directly from nature.
The word "plastic" comes from the Greek "plastikos" and the Latin "plasticus," both meaning "fit for moulding" or "capable of being moulded." Plastics are organic polymers that can be synthetic or natural, mixed with other substances, and exhibit plasticity, or the ability to deform irreversibly without breaking. This property allows plastics to survive the temperature and pressure during the moulding process, making them highly versatile and ideal for a wide range of applications, from toys and phones to vehicles and homes.
While synthetic plastics have contributed to modern life and industries, there are concerns about their environmental impact. Efforts are being made to foster the sustainable use of plastics and explore alternative sources, such as waste, renewable materials, or CO2, to reduce their contribution to climate change and address the challenge of plastic waste.
The development of synthetic plastics began over 100 years ago with the creation of materials like Parkesine and Bakelite. Parkesine, the first man-made bioplastic, was patented by Alexander Parkes in 1856 and improved upon by John Wesley Hyatt in the 1860s. Bakelite, invented by Leo Baekeland in 1906, was the first truly synthetic plastic, revolutionizing industries and earning its place as a 'National Historic Chemical Landmark'.
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Biobased plastic
Plastic is everywhere, and it is mostly made from crude oil and natural gas. However, there is a growing demand for a shift to renewable resources to create plastic, and that's where biobased plastic comes in.
Bioplastics are used for disposable items like packaging, crockery, and cutlery, and they are becoming more popular in some markets. They can be engineered to be as durable as conventional plastics, and some bioplastics are even designed to carry an electric current. Bioplastics are also used as coatings for paper.
It's important to note that not all bioplastics are biodegradable. While some bioplastics can break down biologically under certain conditions, such as in an industrial compost, others are designed to be durable. Additionally, bioplastics are not necessarily plastic-free, and they still contribute to plastic pollution if they end up in nature.
Bioplastics play a role in greenhouse gas abatement, especially when combusted for energy production. With continued research and investment in bioplastic companies, bioplastics are becoming a more dominant alternative to fossil-based plastics.
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Natural latex and rubber
Natural rubber, also called India rubber, latex, Amazonian rubber, caucho, or caoutchouc, is a polymeric substance that can be categorized into three types. Natural rubber is the product of natural latex and offers many desirable properties. It is strong, flexible, and durable, and protects well against wear and tear, abrasion, fatigue, and exposure to water and certain chemicals. Natural rubber is harvested in the form of latex from the Pará rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) or other rubber trees. The latex is a sticky, milky, and white colloid drawn off by making incisions in the bark and collecting the fluid in vessels through a process called "tapping."
Natural latex comes from many flowering plants, including Hevea brasiliensis, the rubber tree. The latex is found directly under the bark of the rubber tree and is harvested through careful tapping methods. It is a milky white substance that may be used in production as is or collected, treated, and processed to become rubber. Natural latex has many uses as a pure substance, including clothing, chewing gum, and drug development.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic containers are typically made from synthetic plastics, which are derived from crude oil, natural gas, or coal. Petrochemical feedstock naphtha and other oils refined from crude oil are used as feedstocks for the basic building blocks of plastic.
Synthetic plastics include Bakelite, made from phenol and formaldehyde resin, and Parkesine, made from cellulose nitrate.
Bioplastics are made from natural renewable resources such as crops, wood pulp, and herbaceous fibers.
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