| HS Code | 738557 |
| Chemicalname | Paraxylene |
| Chemicalformula | C8H10 |
| Casnumber | 106-42-3 |
| Molecularweight | 106.17 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless, flammable liquid |
| Odor | Aromatic |
| Meltingpoint | 13.2°C |
| Boilingpoint | 138.3°C |
| Density | 0.861 g/cm³ at 20°C |
| Solubilityinwater | Insoluble |
| Vaporpressure | 8.0 mmHg at 25°C |
| Flashpoint | 27°C (closed cup) |
| Autoignitiontemperature | 527°C |
| Refractiveindex | 1.496 at 20°C |
| Unnumber | 1307 |
As an accredited Paraxylene (PX) factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Paraxylene (PX) is typically packaged in 200-liter steel drums or ISO tanks, clearly labeled with hazard warnings, containing 200 kilograms. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | Container Loading (20′ FCL) for Paraxylene (PX): Securely packed in drums or ISO tanks, total net weight approx. 16–20 metric tons/container. |
| Shipping | Paraxylene (PX) is typically shipped in bulk by specialized chemical tankers or railcars designed for flammable liquids. It is transported under controlled temperatures and with proper ventilation to minimize vapor buildup. All shipments comply with international safety regulations, including appropriate labeling and documentation for hazardous materials to ensure safe handling and delivery. |
| Storage | Paraxylene (PX) should be stored in tightly sealed, well-ventilated containers made of compatible materials, such as stainless steel or carbon steel. Storage tanks must be placed in a cool, dry area away from heat sources, sparks, and open flames. Proper grounding and explosion-proof equipment are essential. PX should be clearly labeled, and appropriate spill containment and fire suppression systems must be in place. |
| Shelf Life | Paraxylene (PX) has an indefinite shelf life when stored properly in tightly sealed containers, away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. |
Paraxylene serves as a cornerstone aromatic hydrocarbon intermediate across multiple manufacturing sectors. Derived through industrial catalytic reforming and recovery from mixed xylene streams, paraxylene underpins high-purity polymer and resin value chains. As a direct manufacturer, we support these specialized applications from bulk production through quality-controlled dispatch, ensuring consistent supply tailored to each downstream conversion route.
PTA synthesis dominates global paraxylene demand, with polyester fiber producers converting PTA into textile-grade polymers for apparel, home furnishings, and industrial yarns. Refiners oxidize and purify PX at high throughput, using methanol-catalyzed air oxidation, followed by crystallization and filtration. Downstream, precisely weighed PTA integrates into melt-phase polycondensation with monoethylene glycol, where process controls minimize diethylene glycol contaminants and ensure high intrinsic viscosity suitable for drawing. Quality consistency and trace contaminant control in PX directly safeguard spun yarn strength and dyeability.
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PX is the starting material for the synthesis of PET resins used extensively in food and beverage packaging. The sequence begins with oxidation of PX to PTA, which then combines with MEG in a vacuum polycondensation line. Resin manufacturers adjust reaction parameters and catalyst ratios to control IV and acetaldehyde levels, directly impacting bottle clarity and impact strength. Manufacturing plants require tight controls to prevent trace level contamination from PX, as downstream FDA and EFSA food-contact testing is mandatory for resin used in beverage bottle production.
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High-purity PX supports the synthesis of advanced monomers for LCPs, which are processed into high-temperature, high-strength engineering plastics used within the electronics and automotive sectors. LCP producers leverage controlled PX inputs for oxidative coupling and selective catalytic routes yielding precision intermediates such as hydroxybenzoic acids. Stringent specifications around trace metal and sulfur content in incoming PX ensure polymer composition achieves electronic-grade insulation and thermal stability standards, critical for connectors, micro-switches, and chip carriers.
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Certain producers continue to source PX for conversion into DMT, mainly for specialty copolyester applications such as barrier films, engineering resins, and high-temperature fibers. The transesterification process oxidizes PX to terephthalic acid, followed by methanol esterification and distillation to yield DMT with controlled isomer purity. Manufacturers adjust feed concentrations based on DMT grade – optical, electrical, or packaging – impacting process configuration and downstream hydrolysis economics. PX quality critically affects methanol usage and conversion efficiency in DMT lines.
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PX is an essential aromatic precursor in the chain leading to CHDM synthesis. Producers oxidize PX to terephthalic acid, then reduce TPA via hydrogenation, producing CHDM used in environmentally safe glycol-modified PET (PETG). PETG finds demand in extrusion blow molding and profile extrusion for clear, durable products in POS displays and specialty packaging. Process parameters require high PX purity, since colored or off-grade PX introduces contaminants affecting CHDM color and PETG transparency.
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Certain downstream users incorporate paraxylene into technical solvent blends utilized for grease removal, equipment flushing, and degreasing in refinery and heavy machinery maintenance. These applications require defined isomer ratios and low non-aromatic content to maximize solvency power. Operators typically use PX blends as cutback solvents, prioritizing flash point and evaporation rate. Purity, hydrocarbon residue control, and compliance with hazardous material handling rules represent crucial supply criteria for plant operations.
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Competitive Paraxylene (PX) prices that fit your budget—flexible terms and customized quotes for every order.
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At the heart of the polyester industry, you’ll find paraxylene—a transparent, colorless aromatic hydrocarbon with a familiar sweet odor and a large role in how everyday products get made. Those relying on PX often care most about two things: purity and consistent supply. We understand that from years of producing PX to strict quality benchmarks, a detail that matters as it supports downstream reliability in PTA and PET operations.
You will find paraxylene identified by its chemical formula C8H10 and common purity specifications ranging from 99.7% to 99.9%. This level of purity ensures that downstream PTA (purified terephthalic acid) synthesis proceeds efficiently, with minimal impurities to throw off yields or processing equipment. In our experience, impurities can lead to clogging or unwanted byproducts, so we continuously monitor the process using GC analysis to maintain composition standards.
Production lines and customers always bring up the difference between paraxylene and other xylene isomers. Paraxylene stands apart from its siblings—orthoxylene and metaxylene—primarily in its structure and reactivity. This difference matters out on the factory floor: paraxylene’s symmetrical molecular geometry makes it far more useful for converting to terephthalic acid. Orthoxylene tends to head for phthalic anhydride, while metaxylene is valued in the manufacture of isophthalic acid. Each has a niche, but for polyester value chains, paraxylene is the clear workhorse.
From a processing view, paraxylene’s boiling point of 138.4°C means it easily separates from other hydrocarbons during fractionation. This matters for refineries integrating aromatics extraction into their workflow. Laboratory data alone can’t prepare you for the obstacles scaling up from pilot to full production, where separation columns demand careful control to ensure paraxylene does not get lost to side reactions or co-distillation with other aromatics.
We’ve learned the hard way that securing a stable paraxylene supply links directly to the reliability of global polyester supply chains. PX isn’t just another commodity; it’s the backbone of hundreds of modern applications starting with its conversion to PTA and PET resin. The polyester made from this route produces fibers found in sportswear, home textiles, packaging films, and soft drink bottles. Feedback from large fiber and bottle plants proves that slight shifts in feedstock quality can have consequences all the way down to the consumer level—fabric strength, dye uptake, even bottle clarity.
Market data from recent years shows global PX production capacity above 60 million tons per annum, yet rapid demand increases for polyester keep putting the squeeze on supply. In plant discussions around the world, anyone running a PTA/PET reactor wants to know if the paraxylene they source can keep to spec batch after batch. Much of the tension in the polyester industry comes from this balancing act between consistent PX production output and the pressures of an ever-expanding market for synthetics.
PX comes from catalytic reforming, toluene disproportionation, and methanol-to-aromatics (MTA) routes. Each provides unique advantages and pitfalls. In our plants, the focus has been on maximizing yield while limiting energy input and minimizing emissions. Catalytic reforming, popular in older refinery-linked factories, takes naphtha and leverages platinum catalysts. Toluene disproportionation converts toluene and sometimes benzene into xylene isomers, which then feed into isomer separation units.
Emerging technologies like MTA have enabled some flexibility in sourcing, since they utilize syngas from natural gas or coal. These alternatives appeal to downstream users wary of volatility in traditional naphtha supplies. Regardless of the route, purifying PX means optimizing adsorption and crystallization—a process that rewards operators who pay attention to thermal cycles and recycle streams. Having an experienced technical team in the plant often proves more valuable than any single upgrade, because consistently producing high-purity PX depends as much on human expertise as on process design.
Improved adsorbents in simulated moving bed (SMB) systems have pushed yields forward. When molecular sieves age or get fouled, yield and purity drop fast. Regular maintenance, robust supply of spare parts, and hands-on training for operators make a difference every single year. No matter how advanced your modeling or process control, nothing replaces good judgment honed by years of running xylene loops through seasonal load swings.
Working around paraxylene in bulk quantities brings its own set of challenges for safety and environment. Its low acute toxicity seldom causes dramatic accidents, but PX vapors can ignite at 30°C and above, calling for sturdy gas detection and vapor recovery in processing halls. We’ve put a lot of time and investment into closed-loop vapor handling, not just to meet regulations but to protect employees and neighborhoods near production units. PX is a flammable liquid: fixed foam systems, leak alarms, and regular drills can’t be seen as luxuries.
Production also generates aromatic hydrocarbons as byproducts, demanding strict tank farm management. Regulatory trends in East Asia and Europe keep tightening emission limits. We’ve responded with continuous upgrades to vapor scrubbers, flare stacks, and water treatment systems to keep up. Years ago, PX plants often flared excess gas without second thought—today, every kiloton avoided brings benefits not just for air quality, but also for the bottom line.
Most paraxylene leaves factories via dedicated railcars, tank trucks, and ocean tankers lined to prevent contamination. The bulk liquid moves in stainless or coated tanks that resist chemical attack. Trace water or rust can impact product quality and downstream reactions, so loading teams follow strict cleaning and pre-loading inspection routines.
Ships arriving at customer PTA plants often need quick turnaround. We keep teams available to coordinate sampling and documentation. In our experience, a missed sample or mislabeling at this stage can disrupt entire downstream product lines. Airlines and food packaging converters have schedules that depend on flawless just-in-time supply of raw materials—a detail not always appreciated until something goes off track.
PX also finds smaller-volume users for specialty applications. For these requests, smaller tanks or drums suit customer needs. Our shipping staff follow strict hazardous materials protocols, and we support customer audits, as clean logistics build trust in the global chemical business. Verification goes both ways: our own QA teams regularly send composite samples to outside labs to confirm the analytical data aligns across the supply chain.
Paraxylene’s primary outlet remains PTA and then to PET, but specialty chemicals and solvent applications have carved out their own corners. Some agrochemical makers use PX as a starting material for herbicides and intermediates. Certain adhesives and coatings producers turn to high-purity PX for its clean reactivity and the physical properties it imparts to flexible films and engineered polymers. Automotive component suppliers and electronics packaging industries have tested modifications to paraxylene-based resins, looking for improved thermal and mechanical characteristics.
We engage in regular technical exchanges with these niche downstream users to understand new trends and performance requirements. In some areas, especially specialty films, the unique crystallization behavior of paraxylene-derived PET offers advantages in clarity and barrier performance compared to alternative raw materials. We’ve seen research into recycling mixed plastic streams paying special attention to feedstock purity: paraxylene-derived chains consistently out-perform others in maintaining strength through repeated recycling cycles.
Our daily operation involves a lot more than routine lab testing. Analytical talent and automated sampling cut time from sample pull to final report. Still, operators keep an eye out for unexpected color, off-odors, or viscosity shifts that signal tank contamination or upstream process drift. Quality auditors might work from certificates of analysis, but for us, nothing beats a side-by-side comparison of reference standards with actual batches under different process loads.
PX batches occasionally reveal subtle differences even within specification. We analyze trends for things like isomer distribution and trace impurity carryover, since each can affect conversion rates and product quality at the PTA and PET plants. Working with customers, we regularly review these records to anticipate questions or address process adjustments. This collaborative process holds particular value for any manufacturing system pushing the upper edge of throughput and efficiency.
Volatility in crude oil pricing feeds directly into production costs and margin compression for PX. Each production manager in our network keeps a close eye on shifts in naphtha, toluene, or methanol feedstock markets. Hedging, forward contracts, and diversification into alternative feedstocks support more predictable output costs, which helps insulate downstream customers from wild price swings.
Beyond pricing, sustainability pressures grow year by year. Rising demand for recycled PET and new bio-feedstocks for aromatics bring both challenge and opportunity. We’ve started pilot studies into catalytic conversion of agricultural waste into aromatics as a medium-term solution. Bio-based paraxylene remains in its early stages, with technical hurdles in selectivity and yield compared to traditional petrochemical routes. Still, the drive for reduced CO2 footprint and lifecycle impact motivates investment in these future options.
Energy efficiency offers another route for long-term sustainability. Debottlenecking heat exchangers and recycling process steam have delivered sizable drops in energy use at our main PX trains. Waste heat recovery, often overlooked in original plant designs, has shown year-on-year reductions in energy intensity. These engineering efforts matter because lower energy demand means less indirect carbon emission, benefiting both our operations and global climate goals.
Digitization and advanced process controls continue to upgrade what our teams can do in real time. Online analyzers and predictive maintenance software catch issues before they become production-limiting failures. We've invested in control room training and data transparency, enabling operators to react to process drift or equipment fouling quickly. Digital twins of our process units allow stress testing changes with no risk to live production. This approach heads off downtime and boosts output reliability.
Paraxylene buyers don’t just expect a commodity—they depend on open lines of communication and flexible response to urgent needs or unexpected orders. In our business, relationships matter. That has shaped how we approach support: technical guidance, logistics adaptation, and occasional adjustments to specification depending on unique local requirements. Sharing production forecasts, giving early warning of capacity swings, and reviewing quality data together with technical teams at client sites create trust.
We offer joint troubleshooting when downstream processes encounter unexplained yield losses or shifts in finished product characteristics. For instance, a polyester fiber customer once flagged an unusual yellow color in trial batches. Our lab and process teams worked with theirs, tracking the anomaly to an upstream shift in catalytic temperature that affected byproduct level. Quick resolution does not happen without regular, open communication.
Manufacturing paraxylene offers a front-row seat to the intersection of advanced chemistry, heavy industry, and shifting global priorities. Longevity in the PX market depends on more than today’s run rates or spot pricing. We’ve maintained a focus on continuous improvement, investment in the teams running our reactors, and steady work on next-generation feedstock and process technology. Polyester demand will keep rising, and paraxylene will remain a critical feedstock as the world asks for better performance, lower emissions, and wider recycling.
We find real satisfaction in delivering material that consistently meets the toughest standards, knowing it forms the backbone of products people touch every day. Customers recognize not only current performance, but the willingness to tackle what comes next—be it through process upgrades, improved logistics, or ongoing dialogue on advancing both efficiency and sustainability in the global PX industry.
