**2. Alkenes' value chain**

The alkenes' value chain starts with Naphtha or ethane (**Figure 2**). Alkenes are mainly converted to polyolefins (e.g., up to 60 wt% of ethylene converted to

**Figure 2.** *Alkenes' value chain. \* Isomerization product.*

*Extending Alkenes' Value Chain to Functionalized Polyolefins DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99078*

polyethylene), valued to have the largest market with more than 50 wt% of the synthetic polymers and 300 current commercial grades [1, 2]. In the downstream, polyolefin grades are converted to end-products.

The present study is focused on specialty polyolefins production, applications, challenges and future trends. Specifically, we want to answer the following questions. a) what is the potential value of specialty polyolefins? b) what are the essential requirements in taking full advantage of these value-added polyolefins? c) what are the trends and elements of the future of functional polyolefins?
