Asian paraxylene prices more than regained the previous week’s loss as the markets were concerned about cutbacks or shutdowns of plants in Asian region due to low paraxylene-naphtha crack. European prices too mirrored the Asian price line. Ample supplies had driven down Asian paraxylene values to a 5-month low in the preceding week.

USA - Rotterdam aromatics expansion on stream [ 08 Dec, 2009]

ExxonMobil Chemical (Houston, Texas / USA; www.exxonmobil.com) started up its expanded paraxylene (PX) unit, part of its Rotterdam Aromatics Plant in The Netherlands, at the end of November. Capacity for PX has been increased by 25% to 700,000 t/y, benzene capability by 20% to 830,000 t/y. Rotterdam is the US group’s largest PX plant.

The new production unit uses ExxonMobil’s “PxMaxSM" technology to produce both paraxylene and benzene. The process is claimed to improve selectivity, generate less waste and reduce energy requirements compared with existing technologies.

Source: Plastics Information Europe

ExxonMobil Chemical increases benzene, paraxylene capacity [ 30 Nov, 2009]

ExxonMobil Chemical this week has completed the capacity expansion at its aromatics plant in the Netherlands, adding 25% more paraxylene capacity and 20% more benzene capacity.

With the additions finalized, the Rotterdam plant now has the capacity to produce 830,000 tons of benzene annually and 700,000 tons of paraxylenes. The plant uses ExxonMobil's proprietary PxMax technology which reduces the waste and energy required for production.

The additional capacity should be welcome news to buyers, as benzene prices remain at historically high levels, according to Purchasing's latest monthly survey of buyers. After spiking as high as $3.44/gallon in August, benzene prices are now stuck at around $2.75 according to Purchasingdata.com.

Source: Purchasingdata.com