PARAXYLENE Product Description Paraxylene or p-Xylene is an aromatic hydrocarbon, based on benzene with two methyl substituents.

The p stands for para, identifying the location of the methyl groups as across from one another. It is an isomer of xylene. Other isomers include oxylene and m-xylene. P-xylene is used on a large scale for the manufacture of terephthalic acid for polyester. Its polymer is known as parylene. Table 2.1. Physical Properties of Paraxylene Description Clear, colorless, sweet-smelling liquid Molecular formulaC8H10 Molecular weight 106.16 amu Boiling point 138 oC Melting point 12-13 oC Vapor pressure 0.8-0.867 kPa at 20 oC Solubility Practically insoluble Conversion factor 4.33 mg/m3 per ppm at 25 oC Process / Technology / Feedstock Paraxylene is separated out from the mixed xylene stream. In conven-tional paraxylene technology, isomerisation of mixed xylenes takes place through crystallisation or adsorptive separation. Alternative technologies include toluene disproportionation, which yields paraxy-lene and benzene co-product. The BP-UOP Cyclar process, in which propane and butane are converted to paraxylene and benzene, has been used in Saudi Arabia. Paraxylene is a colourless, flammable liquid with a sweet odour. End Use The market breakdown on propylene use is as follows.

Terephthalic acid (89%) Dimethyl terephthalate (11%)

Complete data on Paraxylene demand - supply, price trends, major investments, industry structure, investmnets, Paraxylene world wide producers is available in the YnFx Polyester Chain Report 2008 the recent edition published by YNFX You may also view the Table of Contents || Report Highlights The report contains 150 pages packed with up-to-date statistics and objective analysis of the trends and recent development of the polyester Industry covering the entire value chain beginning from ethylene further to intermediate PTA & MEG, down to polyester fibre and filaments. The Report presents tabulation and graphical presentation of trends in demand and supply of polyester chain country-wise from 2003 to 2007 and projections upto 2013 for both fibre and filament. Processes

description, end use and derivatives along with the latest producer-wise capacity are added feature of this report.

http://www.yarnsandfibers.com/textile-reports/paraxylene.htm