hydrocarbonbased

Hydrocarbon-based refers to substances or materials composed primarily of hydrogen and carbon. The term is used across fuels, chemicals, and materials. Most hydrocarbon-based substances originate from fossil resources such as crude oil, natural gas, and coal; they can also be produced from biomass or via catalytic upgrading to yield hydrocarbon backbones.

Classification typically includes alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and aromatic compounds. They are further categorized as aliphatic (open-chain) or aromatic (ring) and as saturated or unsaturated. Hydrocarbon-based materials can thus range from simple gases to complex polymers.

Properties vary but often include high energy density in fuels, variable boiling points, and generally nonpolar, hydrophobic character. They are also flammable, with chemical reactivity depending on functional groups present. Processing and production involve extraction from reservoirs, refining, and petrochemical processing; common processes include distillation, cracking, reforming, hydrocracking, and polymerization to create plastics and other polymers.

Applications span fuels (gasoline, diesel, jet), lubricants, solvents, and feedstocks for petrochemicals and plastics. They also include asphalt and bitumen, waxes, and various specialty chemicals. Environmental and safety considerations cover emissions of CO2 and pollutants during combustion, risks from extraction and spills, and lifecycle greenhouse gas intensity influenced by feedstock and technology. Regulations influence usage, recycling, and handling of hydrocarbon-based materials.

There is ongoing interest in reducing reliance on fossil-based hydrocarbons by developing bio-based or renewable hydrocarbon fuels and polymers, along with efforts to improve recycling and recyclability of hydrocarbon-based plastics. See also hydrocarbons, petroleum, petrochemistry, plastics, polymers, fossil fuels, natural gas, refinery.