--- title: What Is Petrochemical Manufacturing and Does It Exist in Ontario? description: Petrochemical manufacturing doesn't sound like an Ontario industry, but it is. This manufacturing sector has jobs that lead to great qualities of life. image: https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hubfs/image1.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/what-is-petrochemical-manufacturing-and-does-it-exist-in-ontario#main) - FAQs - [News](https://ontarioeast.ca/news) - [Events](https://ontarioeast.ca/events) - [Ontario East Municipal Conference](https://ontarioeast.ca/happenings/our-team-partners) - [About Us](https://ontarioeast.ca/about-us/) - Search [![site_main_logo](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hubfs/site_main_logo.svg) ![site_main_logo_scrolled](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hubfs/site_main_logo_scrolled.svg) ![Ontario East Economic Development logo](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/logo.png?width=245&height=150&name=logo.png) ![Ontario East Economic Development logo](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/logo.png?width=245&height=150&name=logo.png)](https://ontarioeast.ca/) - [Show submenu for Regional Profile Regional Profile](https://ontarioeast.ca/regional-profile/) - [Our Communities](https://ontarioeast.ca/regional-profile/our-communities/) - [Advantages](https://ontarioeast.ca/regional-profile/advantages/) - [Workforce](https://ontarioeast.ca/regional-profile/workforce/) - [Incentives and Funding](https://ontarioeast.ca/regional-profile/incentives-and-funding/) - [Success Stories](https://ontarioeast.ca/success-stories/) - [Available Properties](https://ontarioeast.ca/available-properties/) - [Show submenu for Key Employment Sectors Key Employment Sectors](https://ontarioeast.ca/key-employment-sectors/) - [Advanced Manufacturing](https://ontarioeast.ca/key-employment-sectors/advanced-manufacturing/) - [Food and Beverage](https://ontarioeast.ca/key-employment-sectors/food-and-beverage/) - [Logistics and Transportation](https://ontarioeast.ca/key-employment-sectors/logistics-and-transportation/) - [Other](https://ontarioeast.ca/key-employment-sectors/other/) - [Show submenu for Members Members](https://ontarioeast.ca/members/) - [Member Directory](https://ontarioeast.ca/members/) - [Become a Member](https://ontarioeast.ca/members/become-a-member/) - [Membership Application Form](https://ontarioeast.ca/members/membership-application-form/) - [Regional Marketing Committee](https://ontarioeast.ca/members/regional-marketing-committee/) - [Jobs & RFPs](https://ontarioeast.ca/jobs-rfps/) Open main navigation Menu Close main navigation Menu - Search - Show submenu for Regional Profile Regional Profile - Regional Profile - [Regional Profile](https://ontarioeast.ca/regional-profile/) - [Our Communities](https://ontarioeast.ca/regional-profile/our-communities/) - [Advantages](https://ontarioeast.ca/regional-profile/advantages/) - [Workforce](https://ontarioeast.ca/regional-profile/workforce/) - [Incentives and Funding](https://ontarioeast.ca/regional-profile/incentives-and-funding/) - [Success Stories](https://ontarioeast.ca/success-stories/) - [Available Properties](https://ontarioeast.ca/available-properties/) - Show submenu for Key Employment Sectors Key Employment Sectors - Key Employment Sectors - [Key Employment Sectors](https://ontarioeast.ca/key-employment-sectors/) - [Advanced Manufacturing](https://ontarioeast.ca/key-employment-sectors/advanced-manufacturing/) - [Food and Beverage](https://ontarioeast.ca/key-employment-sectors/food-and-beverage/) - [Logistics and Transportation](https://ontarioeast.ca/key-employment-sectors/logistics-and-transportation/) - [Other](https://ontarioeast.ca/key-employment-sectors/other/) - [FAQs](https://ontarioeast.ca/faqs/) - [News](https://ontarioeast.ca/news/) - [Events](https://ontarioeast.ca/events/) - Show submenu for Members Members - Members - [Members](https://ontarioeast.ca/members/) - [Member Directory](https://ontarioeast.ca/members/) - [Become a Member](https://ontarioeast.ca/members/become-a-member/) - [Membership Application Form](https://ontarioeast.ca/members/membership-application-form/) - [Regional Marketing Committee](https://ontarioeast.ca/members/regional-marketing-committee/) - [Jobs & RFPs](https://ontarioeast.ca/jobs-rfps/) - [Ontario East Municipal Conference](https://oemc.ca/) - [Contact Us](https://ontarioeast.ca/contact-us/) - [Contact Us](https://ontarioeast.ca/contact-us/) [Contact Us](https://ontarioeast.ca/contact-us/) Search ![Canada, Employment Ontario, Government of Ontario logos](https://ontarioeast.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ontario-employment-logos.svg) This Employment Ontario project is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. # What Is Petrochemical Manufacturing and Does It Exist in Ontario? For Ontario East October 11, 2019 ![](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/image1.jpg?width=565&name=image1.jpg) The manufacturing sector is an incredibly diverse world. So many industries are a part of it. For example, have you ever heard of petrochemical manufacturing? We have petrochemical manufacturers here in [eastern Ontario](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/play-the-game-of-life-in-eastern-ontario-and-win), in our own backyard, yet not many people are aware of what they do. But, probably everyone has come into contact with **a product derived from petrochemicals.** Petrochemicals, as the first part of the name would suggest, are derived from petroleum or other fossil fuels, but they can also be derived from renewable sources like corn or sugar cane. Petrochemicals are used in everything from plastics to cosmetics, appliances, furniture, and electronics. One major petrochemical is ethylene, which is used in the making of polyethylene: one of the most used plastics in manufacturing. So, essentially, when you work in petrochemicals, you’re **helping manufacture the materials** that others will use themselves to manufacture further products. Your product will be used to help so many other [manufacturing processes](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/the-changing-landscape-of-ontario-manufacturing). ## A Cool Job You Can Get in Petrochemical Manufacturing ### Petrochemical Engineer A [petrochemical engineer](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/manufacturing-jobs-profile-engineering-professionals) designs ways to extract crude oil and gas from the earth, then breaks these resources down into more basic components to make plastic, rubber, and synthetic fibres. Roles can range from [managing factory processes](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/manufacturing-job-profiles-process-control-engineer) to working in applied research and development in a laboratory setting. A petrochemical engineer needs to have knowledge of chemical engineering concepts like fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and thermodynamics. > The median salary for a petrochemical engineer in the U.S. is $98,000 a year, or roughly **$131,000 CAN.** ## Meet a Giant Petrochemical Manufacturer in Eastern Ontario ![image17](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/image17.jpg?width=335&name=image17.jpg)The massive international company SABIC has a branch in [Cobourg](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/whats-life-actually-like-in-eastern-ontario) in eastern Ontario. SABIC is the world’s 281st largest corporation and the second largest worldwide producer of ethylene glycol, which is used to make polyester fibres that are used for all sorts of things. When you work with a petrochemical manufacturer like SABIC, you gain access to the excellent quality of life offered by eastern Ontario. Beginning [a manufacturing career](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/use-virtual-reality-to-find-out-if-manufacturing-is-the-career-for-you) can set you up for long term goals like **starting a family or owning a home**, or can help you afford [post-secondary education](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/what-should-i-do-when-i-leave-high-school-should-i-go-to-university) or [travels abroad](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/what-should-i-do-when-i-leave-high-school-should-i-travel). When you live and work in a place like Cobourg, Ontario, you avoid the high living costs of more urban centres, but you’ll gain access to the same amenities and pastimes you’d find in those cities. Shorter commute times will improve your quality of life and peace of mind. And, if you’re already from eastern Ontario, you won’t have to go far to set your life up comfortably for the long term. ## Relocating to Eastern Ontario and Starting a New Career Is Easy! [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4499088/e89ff029-e830-4077-b91c-e76e3cca8e22.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4499088/e89ff029-e830-4077-b91c-e76e3cca8e22) *External links are provided as informational resources only and are not necessarily endorsed by Ontario East.* **References:** [https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Petrochemical](https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Petrochemical) [https://www.aspiringminds.com/featured-profiles/petrochemical-engineer](https://www.aspiringminds.com/featured-profiles/petrochemical-engineer) [https://work.chron.com/salary-petrochemical-engineer-4334.html](https://work.chron.com/salary-petrochemical-engineer-4334.html) ![Ontario East](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hubfs/Ontario%20Website%202021/Mask%20Group%20(11).png) ## Ontario East [For job seekers](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/tag/for-job-seekers) - [![linkedin-1](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hubfs/linkedin-1.svg) Post](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ontarioeast/) - [![square-x-twitter](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hubfs/square-x-twitter.svg) Post](https://x.com/OntarioEast) - [![facebook](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hubfs/facebook.svg) Share](https://www.facebook.com/Ontario.East/) - [![envelope-solid](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hubfs/envelope-solid.svg) Email](mailto:info@ontarioeast.ca) ## You Might Also Be Interested In ### [![](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/image27.jpg?height=485&name=image27.jpg) October 28, 2019 3 Ways to Attract Investment to Your Manufacturing Business Read Now For employers](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/3-ways-to-attract-investment-to-your-manufacturing-business) ### [![](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/blog%20post%2012-1-1.png?height=485&name=blog%20post%2012-1-1.png) September 16, 2019 Manufacturing Supply Chains Make Eastern Ontario Great Read Now For job seekers](https://blog.ontarioeast.ca/manufacturing-supply-chains-make-eastern-ontario-great) ![](https://ontarioeast.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mask-Group-4.svg) ## Subscribe to our eNewsletter ###### CONTACT US (613) 634-8569 623 Fortune Crescent, Suite 100 Kingston, ON K7P 0L5 [Email Us](mailto:info@ontarioeast.ca) ###### LINKS [Regional Profile](https://ontarioeast.ca/regional-profile/) [Available Properties](https://ontarioeast.ca/available-properties/) [Key Employment Sectors](https://ontarioeast.ca/key-employment-sectors/) [FAQs](https://ontarioeast.ca/faqs/) [News](https://ontarioeast.ca/news/) [Jobs & RFPs](https://ontarioeast.ca/jobs-rfps/) [Members](https://ontarioeast.ca/members/) [About Us](https://ontarioeast.ca/about-us/) [Events](https://ontarioeast.ca/events/) [Ontario East Municipal Conference](https://ontarioeast.ca/ontario-east-municipal-conference/) [Contact Us](https://ontarioeast.ca/contact-us/) ###### ZoomProspector [Admin Access Login](https://auth.zoomprospector.com/Account/Login?returnUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fadmin.zoomprospector.com%2FAccount%2FLoginCallback%3FreturnUrl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fadmin.zoomprospector.com%252F) © Ontario East Economic Development, 2026 Acme Co, Inc. 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