The raw materials for chemical products are sourced from the most primitive resources in nature

The raw materials for chemical products are indeed derived from the most primitive resources in nature, mainly including air, water, coal, and petroleum. These raw materials play an important role in chemical production.
Specific sources and uses of chemical raw materials
Air: Oxygen and nitrogen in the air are important chemical raw materials. For example, the production of nitrogen fertilizer requires separating nitrogen from the air and producing nitrogen fertilizers such as ammonia and urea through chemical reactions.
Water: Water is a solvent for many chemical reactions and also a direct raw material for some chemical products, such as soda ash and caustic soda.
Coal: Coal is an important chemical raw material. Through processes such as gasification and liquefaction of coal, products such as synthesis gas, methanol, and urea can be produced. Coal chemical industry has wide applications in fields such as fertilizers and fuel oil.
Petroleum: Petroleum and its derivatives are the core raw materials of modern chemical industry. Through petroleum refining, gasoline, diesel, naphtha, etc. can be obtained, which are further used to produce plastics, synthetic fibers, solvents, etc. Petrochemical industry holds a dominant position in fields such as plastics and synthetic materials.
Methods of obtaining chemical raw materials and their environmental impact
Coal and oil: These fossil fuels need to be obtained through complex refining processes, which generate large amounts of exhaust gas and wastewater, which have a certain impact on the environment.
Air and water: Although relatively simple to obtain, the separation and purification process requires a large amount of energy, and pollutants in the air can also have an impact on the environment.
Future trends and research on substitutes for chemical raw materials
With the increasing awareness of environmental protection, finding alternatives has become a trend. For example:
Biomass energy: Utilizing biomass resources such as agricultural waste and forest waste for gasification and liquefaction, producing biofuels and chemicals.
Renewable energy: The application of renewable energy such as solar and wind power is gradually increasing, used for the production of environmentally friendly chemicals and materials.