Petrochemicals1
The petrochemical industry is the third largest manufacturing sector in Canada in terms of value-added products and sales. The industry is a major contributor to Canada's thriving economy.
- In 2007, exports of petrochemicals were $2.9 billion and imports were $0.8 billion for a strong trade surplus of $2.1 billion.
- Canada's petrochemical facilities produce over 95 000 cubic metres per day of chemical petroleum products including plastics, synthetic fibres, rubber products and fertilizers, to name a few.
- Petrochemicals are used in diverse industrial sectors such as forestry, textiles, construction and mining.
- The Canadian petroleum and petrochemical industry recently underwent major changes due to amendments in environmental regulations. The industry applies the latest technologies to control the discharge of gaseous, liquid and solid wastes.
Petrochemical Development
One of the largest ethylene and polyethylene sites in North America is at Joffre, Alberta. The site consists of three ethylene and two polyethylene facilities. Close to three billion kilograms of ethylene and over 900 million kilograms of polyethylene are produced annually. Alberta's plants are based almost entirely on natural gas feedstocks (methane and ethane). Ethylene from the large plants is transported by pipeline to various locations within Alberta for manufacture of derivatives, and via the Cochin products pipeline to plants in Ontario.
