# Paraxylene: Feedstocks

Why scale and integration beat cheap feed

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/paraxylene/feedstocks/

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](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/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 oil](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/crude_oil/)

#### What it is made into

| Product | Note |
|---|---|
| [PTA Purified terephthalic acid](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/pta/) | about 97% of PX |
| [PET PET resin](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/pet/) | via PTA |
| [PSF Polyester fibre](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polyester_fibre/) | via PTA |

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/paraxylene/index.md)
- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/paraxylene/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/paraxylene/correlation/index.md)
- [Production route](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/paraxylene/routes/index.md)
- [Production](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/paraxylene/production/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/paraxylene/cycles/index.md)
- [Trading](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/paraxylene/trading/index.md)
- [Movement](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/paraxylene/movement/index.md)
- [Regulation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/paraxylene/regulation/index.md)
- [Characteristics](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/paraxylene/characteristics/index.md)
- [Emissions](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/paraxylene/emissions/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/paraxylene/links/index.md)