There are thousands of industrial chemicals. Some are used for consumer goods, some for energy, and some even for the production of other industrial chemicals. What chemicals are most important to industrial manufacturing globally?
Sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
Sulfuric acid is the most commonly used industrial chemical in the world. Its main industrial use is to make phosphoric acid, which is the main component of most fertilizers. Sulfuric acid is a key component in the manufacture of metals, especially in the production of copper and zinc and in the cleaning of steel. Sulfuric acid production is growing by more than 3% annually, largely driven by demand in the Asia Pacific region.
Ethylene (C2H4)
More than 150 million tons of ethylene are produced each year, more than any other organic compound. Much of its demand can be attributed to advances in polymer production, particularly polyethylene. It can also be used to make other industrial chemicals, such as ethanol. How is ethylene produced? The crude oil is usually cracked by steam, which is often referred to as “hydraulic fracturing”.
Sodium hydroxide
Sodium hydroxide is an inorganic compound, which is very important to many industries. It is used in industrial applications ranging from paper-making to textile development to detergent manufacturing; it produces more than 70 million tons per year. It is usually a by-product derived from the manufacture of chlorine. Its popularity depends largely on its low price and its ability to “brush” gases during combustion to effectively remove acids.
Propylene (C3H6)
Propylene, also known as propylene and / or methylethylene, is an organic gas compound. It is a natural by-product in the fermentation process and an important compound to promote the development of green chemistry. Instead, it can also be produced from fossil fuels. Propylene is of great significance to petrochemical industry and raw materials of various products. Global production exceeds 8.5 million tons per year, mainly as fuel or rubber / plastics.
Nitrogen (N2)
Hundreds of millions of tons of nitrogen are produced every year. When nitrogen combines with hydrogen, ammonia is produced. Ammonia itself is an important industrial chemical. Nitrogen is used in a range of products, including fertilizers, fabrics, dyes, and even explosives. As a gas, it can also create an “inert atmosphere”, so it is useful in the preservation of food and aseptic electronic industry. Liquid nitrogen is important for medical research and preservation. Nitrogen is usually produced by fractionation.
