A
- Acetylenes – Compounds with carbon-to-carbon triple bonds, also called alkynes.
- Acid – A substance with a pH lower than 7.
- Additive – Chemicals added to improve material properties.
- Adiabatic – A process without heat transfer.
- Alcohol – Organic compounds containing a hydroxyl group (-OH).
- Alkaline – A solution with a pH above 7.
- Alkylate – A gasoline blend stock component made from propylene and butylene.
- Amorphous – A material without an ordered structure.
- Antioxidants – Additives preventing oxidation in materials.
- Aromatics – Hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes.
- Autoclave – A pressure vessel for polymerization.
B
- B2B (Business-to-Business) – Electronic trade between businesses.
- Bargaining Power – The ability to negotiate favorable terms.
- Batch Process – Production in set quantities rather than continuously.
- Bill of Lading (B/L) – A document issued for shipped goods.
- Biodegradable – Materials that degrade by microbial action.
- Blow Molding – A method for shaping hollow plastics.
- Bulk Polymerization – Polymerization without a solvent.
C
- Carbon Black – A pigment for UV resistance in plastics.
- Catalytic Cracking – Refining hydrocarbons into simpler molecules.
- Certificate of Origin (CO) – A document certifying the origin of goods.
- CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) – Seller pays for shipping and insurance.
- Commercial Invoice (CI) – A legal invoice for trade transactions.
- Confidentiality Clause – A contract clause restricting disclosure of sensitive information.
- Crude Oil – A mixture of hydrocarbons extracted from the Earth.
- Customs Clearance – The process of passing goods through customs.
- Customs Broker – An intermediary handling customs regulations.
D
- DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) – Seller covers all shipping costs and duties.
- Degradability – The ability of a material to break down environmentally.
- Density – The mass per unit volume of a material.
- Demurrage – A fee for cargo storage delays at ports.
- Derivative – A chemical compound derived from another.
- Due Diligence – A risk assessment before signing agreements.
E
- Elastomer – A flexible, rubber-like polymer.
- Emulsification – Mixing two immiscible liquids.
- Escrow Account – A financial arrangement securing payments in trade.
- Ethylene – A hydrocarbon used as a feedstock for plastics.
- Exclusive Agreement – A contract granting exclusive rights.
F
- FOB (Free On Board) – Seller delivers goods onto a ship.
- Force Majeure – A contract clause for uncontrollable events.
- Freight Forwarder – A company managing international shipping logistics.
G
- Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) – The temperature where a polymer becomes flexible.
- Granule – Small polymer pellets used in manufacturing.
H
- Harmonized System (HS Code) – A global tariff classification system.
- HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) – A durable polymer used in pipes and packaging.
- Hydrocarbon – An organic compound of hydrogen and carbon.
I
- Impact Modifier – An additive that increases plastic toughness.
- Import License – Government authorization for importing goods.
- Incoterms – International rules for trade responsibilities (e.g., FOB, CIF, DDP).
- Injection Molding – A method of shaping plastic using molds.
- Isothermal – A process that occurs at constant temperature.
L
- LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) – A flexible plastic used in films.
- Letter of Credit (L/C) – A bank guarantee for trade payments.
- LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) – Methane gas converted to liquid.
- LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) – Propane and butane stored as liquid fuel.
M
- Melt Flow Index (MFI) – A measure of polymer viscosity.
- Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) – A non-binding trade agreement.
- Monomer – The basic unit of a polymer.
N
- Negotiation Tactics – Strategies used in trade discussions.
- Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) – A contract ensuring confidentiality.
- Non-Newtonian Fluid – A fluid whose viscosity changes under force.
O
- Octane Number – A measure of fuel efficiency.
- Olefins – Hydrocarbons used in petrochemicals.
P
- Packing List – A document listing shipment details.
- Paraffins – Saturated hydrocarbons with single bonds.
- Payment Terms – Conditions under which payment is made (e.g., advance, credit).
- PE (Polyethylene) – A widely used plastic.
- Penalty Clause – A contract term specifying penalties for non-compliance.
- PP (Polypropylene) – A thermoplastic used in packaging.
- PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) – A polymer used in pipes and cables.
Q
- Quota – A trade limit imposed on imports or exports.
R
- Random Copolymer – A polymer with randomly arranged monomers.
- Regrind – Recycled plastic reused in production.
- Refinery – A plant that processes crude oil.
- Resin – A solid polymer material.
- Risk Management – Strategies to mitigate financial or operational risks.
S
- Settlement Terms – Agreed-upon conditions for finalizing payments.
- Short Market – A market with lower supply than demand.
- Slurry – A mixture of solid particles in liquid.
- Steam Cracking – A high-temperature method to break hydrocarbons.
- Styrene – A monomer used in plastics.
T
- Tariff – A tax on imported goods.
- Tensile Strength – A measure of a material’s resistance to breaking.
- Thermoplastic – A plastic that softens when heated.
- Toluene – A solvent used in petrochemicals.
- Trade Barrier – Regulations limiting imports or exports.
U
- Ultraviolet Degradation – Breakdown of polymers by UV exposure.
- Upstream – Oil extraction and raw material production.
V
- Viscoelastic Behavior – A material property combining viscosity and elasticity.
- Viscosity – A measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow.
- Volume Minimums and Maximums – Trade contract limits on order quantities.
W
- Win-Win Strategy – A negotiation approach where both sides benefit.
Y
- Yield Point – The stress level where permanent deformation begins.
Z
- Ziegler-Natta Catalyst – A catalyst used in polymer production.
