Acyclic hydrocarbons; unsaturated, ethylene

HS v2017 Code: 290121

About acyclic hydrocarbons; unsaturated, ethylene

HS code 290121 covers the classification of acyclic unsaturated hydrocarbons, specifically ethylene. Ethylene is a vital chemical feedstock with a wide range of industrial applications, making it a crucial component in the global petrochemical industry. As a building block for numerous organic compounds, ethylene plays a significant role in the production of plastics, resins, and other essential materials that underpin modern manufacturing and consumer goods.

Production process

Ethylene is primarily produced through the process of steam cracking, where heavier hydrocarbon feedstocks, such as natural gas liquids or naphtha, are heated to high temperatures in the absence of oxygen. This thermal decomposition process breaks down the larger hydrocarbon molecules into smaller ones, including ethylene. The ethylene is then separated and purified through a series of distillation and separation techniques.

Production inputs

The main inputs required for the production of ethylene under HS code 290121 include hydrocarbon feedstocks, such as 271011 natural gas liquids or 271012 naphtha, as well as energy sources, such as natural gas or electricity, to power the steam cracking process. Specialized equipment, including furnaces, heat exchangers, and distillation columns, are also essential for the efficient production and purification of ethylene.

Production outputs

The primary output of HS code 290121 is ethylene, which is a versatile chemical building block used in the production of a wide range of downstream products. These include 390110 polyethylene, 390210 polypropylene, 390410 polyvinyl chloride, and various other plastics, resins, and organic chemicals that are essential for industries such as packaging, construction, automotive, and consumer goods.

Revisions to 290121

Classification codes are adjusted frequently. The code may have been revised or replaced between system versions. The table below shows the history (newest to oldest) of the code 290121. The most recent 1 version of this code (290121) is in the HS v2022 system:

This page shows a legacy version of code 290121 ( HS v2017).

Newer versions
Older versions

Family tree for acyclic hydrocarbons; unsaturated, ethylene

    graph LR
    A["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/29'>29: Organic chemicals</a>"]
A --> B["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2901'>2901: Acyclic hydrocarbons</a>"]
B --> C["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/290121'>290121: Acyclic hydrocarbons; unsaturated, ethylene</a>"]

    B --> D["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/290110'>290110: Acyclic hydrocarbons; saturated</a>"]
B --> E["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/290122'>290122: Acyclic hydrocarbons; unsaturated, propene (propylene)</a>"]
B --> F["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/290123'>290123: Acyclic hydrocarbons; unsaturated, butene (butylene) and isomers thereof</a>"]
B --> G["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/290124'>290124: Acyclic hydrocarbons; unsaturated, buta-1,3-diene and isoprene</a>"]
B --> H["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/290129'>290129: Acyclic hydrocarbons; unsaturated, n.e.c. in heading no. 2901</a>"]

    

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