5. Petrochemicals and their interaction with refining

5.1 Principle and objectives

The petrochemical industry is closely linked to hydrocarbons, either crude oil or natural gas. It is at the interface between the oil refining industry, the natural gas industry and organic chemistry.

Its aim is twofold:

• offer synthetic products that can be substituted for natural consumer products known as "convenience products";

• offer synthetic products with original properties to complement natural products known as "specialty products".