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petrochemical

petrochemical

8 6.3
A chemical made from oil or gas used to make plastics and other products
  • noun
  • /ˌpɛtroʊˈkɛmɪkəl/
  • Specialized
: petroquímico
  • Many plastic items, such as bottles and containers, are made from petrochemical compounds.
  • petrochemical industry
  • petrochemical plant
  • petrochemical company

Examples

  • The literature on high-hazard industries typically focuses on the aviation, nuclear power, and petrochemical industries.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Many large petrochemical and chemical companies manage hazardous materials and wastes on site.

    Academic text (2001)
  • The majority of this waste was produced in the petrochemical and chemical industries.

    Academic text (2001)
  • What will the cost be to transform the petrochemical industry into just a chemical industry?

    Blog text (4)
  • So as you're buying this land, buying it and building at that same time, the petrochemical industry is starting to come into the region.

  • A question on the restructuring of the petrochemical sector and its effects on employment.

  • The Middle East needs to attract capital to exploit the region's petrochemical potential.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Today, the largest investment in new diversification has been in petrochemical-related areas.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Nefiochim, which occupies several square kilometers, is one of the largest petrochemical plants in Europe.

    Academic text (1995)
  • PLM growth also included consumer packaged goods, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, petrochemical and shipbuilding companies, and utilities.

    Academic text (2008)

Surface Forms

petrochemical singular

Morphology

petrochemical = chemical (transparent) = petro + chemical

Formed from the combining form 'petro-' (relating to petroleum) + 'chemical', so the meaning 'chemical derived from petroleum' is directly inferable.

Etymology

Petrochemical begins with petro-, from an old Greek word meaning 'rock', and joins chemical, like in petrol, which comes from the same root and means 'oil from rocks'. That's why petrochemical means a chemical made from petroleum or natural gas.