Methane-Based Ethylene, Expected to Redesign the Plastic Industry

Ethylene, one of the most popular compound used in the manufacturing process of obtaining several plastic items has a great market worth nearly $160 billion every year, where innovations of all kinds are more than welcome.

Especially green ones, since the main concern of experts in this field of activity is to liberate the substance from its petroleum dependency.

Instead, companies try to reach to a point in which the ethylene manufacturing will rely on methane, making the entire operation more earth-friendly and cost-efficient.

We couldn't picture our lives without dozens of plastic-based items which we can find in every single corner of our household.

Manufacturers are aware that our consumerism grows their profit rates, but they are facing an obstacle while they are fighting to increase their numbers.

The entire present process of obtaining Ethylene is expensive and it also triggers an enormous amount of CO2 emissions, which comes against any eco-conscious conduct.

At the same time, companies which engaged their efforts in the ethylene line of business now that lack of innovations make them exposed to great risks, since petroleum can soon disappear out of their reach for good.

Major players on the plastic market say that replacing the petroleum with its cleaner, greener rival, methane, would reduce costs significantly, taking into account that the eco-friendly option is 5 times cheaper than its dirty opponent.

Also, enterprises rely their belief on the methane's sustainability, since Mother Nature's resources of natural gas are far from going extinct.

At this point in time, 19 companies and 6 universities and government laboratories are willing to experience the benefits of doing green while saving more than a few dollars.

So far, they made it to a point in which they are analyzing the market, gathering information and looking for the appropriate companies and research personnel.

While talking about how passionate major players on the market are about developing meathane-based ethylene, Chevron is the most active company that managed to develop and support 80 patents in converting methane to ethylene.

Despite the fact that companies struggled to provide an effective recipe, none seems to fit in order to become competitive alternatives on a large commercial scale production.