"**The synthesis of plastic compounds relies on hydrocarbons** (crude oil and natural gas), **both for raw materials** (feedstocks) **and for the energy needed to produce them**. Feedstocks include ethane and other natural gas liquids, and naphtha produced during the refining of crude oil. "Natural gas is also used to fuel plastic production, and **it is** (as already noted) the **most important feedstock**—the source of hydrogen—**for the synthesis of ammonia**. Other hydrocarbons serve as feedstocks to produce protective compounds (insecticides and fungicides), because even plants inside glass or plastic greenhouses are not immune to pests and infections." ([Location 1260](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08SGC3TD3&location=1260)) --- **Tags** -- [[quotes]], [[ammonia]], [[haber-bosch]], [[hydrogen]], [[fossil-fuels]], [[plastics]], [[liquid-fuels]], **Source** -- [[202412030828 - B - How the World Really Works]]