Petrochemicals form the backbone of modern economies and are found in a wide range of consumer and industrial products, many of which are considered essential for daily use. Highly versatile, petrochemicals can be found in everything from synthetic tires to automotive headlamps and lenses. While most individuals associate these chemicals with plastics, their potential uses span a much broader spectrum of applications, from household groceries to rocket propulsion.
Even though it’s only been about a century since their discovery, petrochemicals are everywhere in modern life. As the foundation for all of the most common plastics, it’s used in almost everything imaginable: ink, upholstery, bicycle tires, motor oil, pesticides, nail polish, soap, pharmaceuticals, vitamin capsules, purses, rubbing alcohol, life jackets, CDs, televisions, computers, IV bags, basketballs, cars, guitar strings, paint brushes, dishes, artificial limbs, and much (too much) more.
