Paraxylene: Feedstocks
Why scale and integration beat cheap feed
What this tab covers What it is made from and what it feeds: the raw materials and energy per tonne with their share of cost (linked to the commodity table), who is low-cost and why, and the chemicals made from it.PX is made from heavy naphtha, so its cost is crude oil. What decides competitiveness is scale and integration: Chinese complexes that run crude through to polyester yarn capture every margin, while stand-alone PX producers in Japan and Korea live on the PX-naphtha spread.
Inputs per tonne
| Input | Quantity per tonne | Role | Share of cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil Crude oil | about 2.5-3.5 t naphtha per t PX (indicative) | hydrocarbon source | about 75-85% of cash cost (indicative) | indicative |
| Toluene and C9 aromatics | converted internally; about 2-2.5 t toluene per t PX via selective disproportionation (indicative) | xylene booster | included above | indicative |
| Energy (fuel gas, steam, power) | large; fractionation and adsorption loops are energy-intensive | separation | about 10-15% (indicative) | indicative |
Who is low-cost, and why
Large Chinese refinery-integrated complexes are lowest cost, with capex about 20% below other Asian builds (Argus). Korean and Indian complexes are mid-curve; small Japanese units and US plants sit high and have been closing.
Raw materials on the commodity table
Oil Crude oilWhat it is made into
| Product | Note |
|---|---|
| PTA Purified terephthalic acid | about 97% of PX |
| PET PET resin | via PTA |
| PSF Polyester fibre | via PTA |