Feedstocks, Fuels, and Catalysts

The manufacture of all oiganic chemicals and carbon-based polymers requires a carbon-containing precursor, i.e., a feedstock. The main feedstocks of the chemical industry are crude ofl, other oils that are difficult to process, coal, and natural gas. These feedstocks are also used to meet much of today s worldwide energy requirements. To emphasize their geological origin and finite availabflity, cmde oil, coal, etc., are referred to fossil fuels. 

Crude oil is currently the main feedstock used by the oil industry to manufacture processed petroleum products such as petrol, diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel. Of the total amount of available crude oil, only about 10% is used for the manufacture of chemicals and the rest are 

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