APPE - Association of Petrochemical Producers in Europe

AAGR: Average Annual Growth Rate
ABS: See Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
ACC: American Chemistry Council
Acetaldehyde: An aldehyde used as a starting material in the synthesis of acetic acid, n-butyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, and other chemical compounds.
Acetate: A salt or ester of acetic acid.
Acetic acid: Acetic acid is a key organic intermediate used in the preparation of metal acetates, used in some printing processes; vinyl acetate; acetic anhydride, and volatile organic esters, such as ethyl and butyl acetates.
Acetic anhydride: The most important of the organic anhydrides, used to manufacture pain-relieving pharmaceuticals (aspirin, paracetamol), modified starches, emulsifiers, liquid crystal polymers, dyestuffs and cellulose acetate, a major ingredient in photographic films and textiles.
Acetone: An organic solvent of industrial and chemical significance, acetone is capable of dissolving many fats, resins and cellulose esters. It is used extensively in the manufacture of artificial fibres and explosives, as a chemical intermediate in pharmaceuticals, and as a solvent for vinyl and acrylic resins, lacquers, paints, inks, cosmetics (such as nail polish remover), and varnishes. It is used in the preparation of paper coatings, adhesives, and is also employed as a starting material in the synthesis of many compounds.
Acetyl: Any chemical compound with an acetate group. More...
Acid: Any substance that in water solution tastes sour, changes the colour of certain indicators, promotes certain chemical reactions, etc.. Examples of acids include inorganic substances such as sulfuric, nitric, and phosphoric acids, and organic compounds such as citric or maleic acid.
Acrylate elastomer: In latex paints, textile applications (backcoating), emulsion polymers for paper coating; as pulp additives, in floor polishes & sealants (resinous & polymeric coatings), in adhesives.
Acrylic acid: Acrylic acid and the basic alkyl esters (methyl, ethyl, butyl and 2-ethylhexyl esters) are important monomers used for the manufacture of polymer dispersions, adhesives, flocculants, detergents, varnishes, fibres and plastics as well as chemical intermediates.
Acrylic esters: When polymerized, acrylic esters, esters derived from acrylic acid, are the film-forming components of acrylic paints, coatings, textiles, adhesives, plastics and other applications.
Acrylic fibres: Acrylic fibres are artificial, thermoplastic fibres made from acrylonitrile. Fabrics produced from acrylic fibres wash and dry easily
Acrylonitrile: Acrylonitrile is a chemical intermediate used in acrylic fibres, ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), SAN (styrene-acrylonitrile) and NBR (nitrile-butadiene-rubber). More...
Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS): ABS is a tough, heat-resistant and impact-resistant thermoplastic, the acrylonitrile providing heat resistance, and the styrene units giving rigidity. It is widely used for appliance and telephone housings, luggage, sporting helmets, pipe fittings and automotive parts.
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Additives: In many plastic products, the polymer is only one constituent. In order to arrive at a set of properties appropriate to the product, the polymer is almost always combined with other ingredients, or additives, which are mixed in during processing and fabrication. Among these additives are impact modifiers, colorants, reinforcements, plasticisers and stabilisers. See also plastics and conversion.
AECC: Association for Emissions Control by Catalyst, an association affiliated to Cefic.
Agrochemical: A chemical, such as a hormone, fungicide, or insecticide, that improves or protects the production of crops.
Alcohols: Alcohols are amongst the most common organic compounds. Well-known alcohols include methanol (methyl alcohol, or wood alcohol), ethanol (ethyl alcohol, or grain alcohol) and isopropyl alcohol (the common alcohol known as rubbing alcohol and used as a germicide). Alcohols are also valuable as intermediates in the synthesis of other compounds.
Aldehyde: An important starting material and intermediate in organic synthesis. Many aldehydes of industrial significance are used as solvents, perfumes, and flavouring agents or as intermediates in the manufacture of plastics, dyes, and pharmaceuticals.
Aliphatic: Any organic compound in which the main structure is a chain of carbon atoms joined to each other.
Alkyl benzene: One of the most important organic raw material for the production of synthetic detergents.
Alkylation: Olefins such as propylene and butylene are produced by catalytic and thermal cracking. Alkylation refers to the process using sulfuric or hydro-fluoric acid as a catalyst to combine these olefins with isobutane to produce a high octane product known as alkylate.
Alkylphenol: Alkylphenol is produced using phenol as a starting material. It is mainly used as a stabiliser for rubbers and plastics, as a surfactant, as an industrial detergent, and in the mining and textile industries.
AMI: American Methanol Institute
Amines: Amines are major industrial commodities used in making rubber, dyes, pharmaceuticals, and synthetic resins and fibres and in a host of other applications. More...
Anhydride: Any chemical compound obtained, either in practice or in principle, by the elimination of water from another compound.
Aniline: An organic base used to make dyes, drugs, explosives, plastics, and photographic and rubber chemicals. Aniline owes its name to the indigo-yielding plant, Indigofera anil, from the distillation of which aniline was first obtained.
Anthracene: Anthracene is a solid polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon consisting of three benzene rings derived from coal tar. Anthracene is used in the artifical production of the red dye alizarin. It is also found in some coal tar oils which are used for example as wood preservatives, insecticides and coating materials.
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APA: Aromatics Producers Association, a sector group of the Association of Petrochemicals Producers in Europe (APPE). For more information, click here or visit their website.
APC: American Plastics Council
APLA: Latin American Petrochemical Association
APPE: Association of Petrochemicals Producers in Europe
Aromatics: Aromatics, so called because of their distinctive perfumed smell, are a group of hydrocarbons including, mainly, benzene, toluene and the xylenes. These are basic chemicals used as starting materials for a wide range of consumer products. Almost all aromatics come from crude oil, although small quantities are made from coal. More...
ASEAN: Association of south-east Asian Nations
ASG: Acetyls Sector Group
A sector group of the Association of Petrochemicals Producers in Europe (APPE). For more information, click here.
Asphalt: A dark-brown-to-black cement-like material obtained by petroleum processing and containing bitumen as the predominant constituent.
Associated gases: Associated gas is an emulsion produced from saturated crude oil.
ATC: Technical Committee of Petroleum Additive Manufacturers in Europe, an affiliate of the Association of Petrochemicals Producers in Europe (APPE). For more information, click here.
Atom: The smallest unit into which matter can be divided without the release of electrically charged particles, and also the smallest unit of matter that cannot be decomposed into simpler substances by ordinary chemical processes. Hence the atom is the basic building block of chemistry. Atoms, also called chemical elements, can combine with one another to form compounds.
Auto Oil programme: A technical work programme launched in 1992 by the European Commission and in which the European automobile and oil industries participated. The aim of this programme was to assess the most cost-effective measures for reducing emissions from the road transport sector to a level consistent with the EU air quality standards. Several petrochemical sectors have been involved in this process. Some measures have already been implemented; a further set of restrictions will be implemented by 2005.

Glossary