But the spread between the price of the raw material and the price of the finished good is a function of the supply of ethylene-making capacity and the demand for ethylene.

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Ethane-to-ethanol would also reduce the feedstock for ethane-to-ethylene that the Petrochemical industry uses.

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Gasoline or diesel fuel are two flavors, but there are others that might sound unfamiliar - ethylene and propylene and xylene.

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The complex produced its first on-specification ethylene and propylene in late January this year.

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By end-2004, ethylene there fetched 60% more than two years earlier.

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Some chemicals showed a possible link to breast cancer, including benzene, 1, 3-butadiene, and ethylene oxide, which are chemicals found in tobacco smoke, gas fumes, and exhaust from cars.

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The Olefins segment manufactures and markets ethylene, polyethylene, styrene and associated co-products.

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On Jan. 25, Lyondell reported a 62% jump in fourth-quarter profit amid strong demand for its refining and ethylene businesses.

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The feedstock accounts for as much as three-quarters of production costs, so the price of ethylene is tied to the price of energy.

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The purest ethylene and polyethylene play for investors is Nova Chemicals (nyse: NCX - news - people ), says Fitsch.

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