Processes for producing lower olefins are critically examined. It is noted that pyrolysis of various types of hydrocarbon isstill the main process of obtaining ethylene and propylene, and is accompanied by the formation of considerable amounts of by-products,such as liquid pyrolysis products. We present an analysis of domestic and foreign scientific, technical, and patent information pertaining to therational use of petrochemical production by-products, aimed at obtaining hydrocarbon (petroleum) resins. We consider the raw materialsinvolved in obtaining the resins, and generalize data on existing methods of obtaining resins using thermal, initiated, and ion (catalyst)polymerization.