What are the basic raw materials for making plastics?

Answer

Hi Robert,

plastics are always made by linking many small molecules together to form long chains. In chemical terms, one speaks of the MONOmers that react with each other to form POLYmers. (remember: mono=1, poly=many). Those long chains (= the polymers) obviously have much better properties than the short pieces.

The final plastic is obtained by adding additives to the polymers. Examples of these additives are: dyes, flame retardants, fillers to reduce the price,…

Each polymer has its own monomer. For example, PolyEthylene is made from Ethylene and PolyPropylene from propylene.
Most monomers are extracted from petroleum. Petroleum is split into various components in so-called “cracking” installations. Examples of this are: Asphalt, diesel, kerosene, methane (natural gas), … The monomers of plastics are just some of the components into which petroleum is split.

In addition to petroleum, monomers are extracted from natural sources. For example, you can use the starch in corn to make BioPlastics.
There are also many plastics in nature. For example, rubber is a plastic that occurs naturally in rubber trees.

Remember that plastics are made from monomers that mainly come from petroleum!
I think you are a step ahead with this answer and you have some keywords that you can use for your thesis.

good luck!
Bart