As the global economy continues to expand, it becomes imperative to utilise finite, non-renewable natural resources more efficiently and in an environmentally responsible manner. Over-dependence on oil as source of both fuels and petrochemicals has displaced the urgency for innovation into natural gas alternatives.
Natural gas, which has hitherto been used principally as an energy source or as feedstock in the agro-chemical industry, offers an exciting and viable spectrum of alternative possibilities in the petrochemical sector. It is in this context that we have focused our attention on this sector; indeed, if coal and oil ruled the 19th and 20th centuries, it is not difficult to imagine that natural gas has the potential to dominate the coming decades.
Recent technological advances have enabled the processing of natural gas as feedstock for the petrochemical industry on a world-class scale. This development has created novel value-addition propositions, offering unique opportunities which are further enhanced as volatility in oil pricing continues.