The key materials in life are made of plastic and the possibility for making such materials and an abundance of plastic exists due to the carbon and hydrogen that exists in abundance on Mars, like on Earth.  To produce the needed resources, we start with the Reverse Water – Gas Shift Reaction (RWGS).  This equation produces carbon monoxide and water from hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide. Then, we could disregard the carbon monoxide and electrolyze the water to produce oxygen (the hydrogen can be saved and then reused to start the reaction over again).  Next, we could also think of taking the  carbon monoxide and hydrogen and produce ethylene, one of keys to the petrochemical and plastics industry.  Also, this reaction is highly exothermic and can be used as an energy source to facilitate the RWGS reaction.

    Advantages of producing ethylene as opposed to methane.   Ethylene has only two hydrogens per carbon and thus cuts the mining of water to make hydrogen in half.  Also, methane has a lower boiling point than ethylene and would require energy to cryogenically freeze it to make it liquid and also would require more insulation.  However, ethylene has a higher boiling point and will need no freezing to liquefy or insulation to keep it a liquid.  Third, the density of ethylene is 50% greater than methane and will make fuel loads and fuel tanks lighter.   Finally, ethylene has alternate uses like an anesthetic, as a ripening agent for fruit, and as a means of reducing the dormant time of seeds.  All of these advantages would make ethylene a great contribution to building a Mars base.

    However, ethylene’s use in making plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene is the most important advantage that could help the human presence on the Red Planet.  Such plastics could be used for films, fabrics, inflatable structures (habitation domes), clothing, bags, insulation, tires, bottles, watertight vessels, tableware, tools, implements, medical gear, boxes, rigid structures (both transparent and opaque), lubricants, sealants, adhesives, and tapes.  The numerous uses for these plastics will do nothing but aid and advance the ability for us to populate Mars.