Para-xylene

Description

1. Product Overview
Benzene (petrochemical grade) is a fundamental aromatic hydrocarbon derived from catalytic reforming and steam cracking of naphtha, serving as a critical feedstock for the global petrochemical value chain. Its primary industrial applications include the production of ethylbenzene (styrene), cumene (phenol/acetone), cyclohexane (nylon intermediates), and nitrobenzene (aniline/MDI). For enterprise buyers, this product offers a compelling value proposition: high-purity feedstock that maximizes downstream catalytic efficiency, reduces reactor fouling, and lowers overall production costs per ton of derivative. Strategically, benzene remains irreplaceable in the manufacture of polymers, resins, synthetic fibers, and solvents—making supply security and quality consistency a board-level priority.

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical composition – Benzene (C₆H₆), trace paraffins and naphthenes <0.1%

• Purity level – Petrochemical Grade ≥99.85 wt% (ASTM D2359 / EN 14620 compliant)

• Physical form – Clear, colorless liquid

• Physical characteristics –

  • Density @ 15°C: 0.878–0.882 g/cm³

  • Distillation range (IBP–DP): 0.5°C max (incl. 80.1°C ±0.1°C)

  • Freezing point: ≥5.45°C

  • Sulfur content: <1 ppm

  • Non-aromatics: ≤0.15 wt%

• Packaging options –

  • ISO tank containers (22–24 MT net)

  • Bulk chemical tankers (road/rail)

  • Stainless steel drums (for non-bulk, upon request)

• Shelf life – 12 months when stored under nitrogen blanketing in carbon steel tanks; repump quality validation recommended after 6 months

3. Core Industrial Applications

• Styrene monomer production – Benzene + ethylene → ethylbenzene → styrene. Our grade ensures higher catalyst cycle length in EBMax or Lummus/UOP processes.

• Cumene for phenol/acetone – Lower non-aromatic content reduces byproduct formation in zeolite-catalyzed alkylation.

• Cyclohexane (nylon 6/6,6 precursor) – Hydrogenation efficiency improves by 4–6% vs. standard 99.8% benzene due to lower sulfur and olefins.

• Aniline via nitrobenzene – Consistent nitration kinetics minimize off-spec batches in continuous stirred-tank reactors.

• Solvent in specialty chemical synthesis – Preferred over toluene or xylene where regulatory extraction purity is required (e.g., pharmaceutical intermediates).

Why it outperforms alternatives: Lower impurities reduce unplanned reformer or downstream catalyst changeouts, directly improving annual plant utilization by 2–3%.

4. Competitive Advantages

• Quality consistency – Lot-to-lot variation controlled within ±0.02% purity; SQC data available via API integration.

• Supply reliability – Back-to-back refinery integration with dedicated storage terminals in Rotterdam, Houston, and Singapore.

• Logistics capability – Managed fleet of 1,500+ ISO tanks; real-time tracking; demurrage risk <0.5%.

• Price competitiveness – Contracted benzene reference tied to Argus or ICIS monthly average minus fixed premium; volume discounts above 5kT/month.

• Sustainability benefits – Mass balance certified low-carbon benzene available (reducing Scope 3 emissions by 18% vs. conventional).

• Technical support – Full COA (Certificate of Analysis), safety data sheets, and compatibility reports for each shipment; 24/7 supply chain concierge.

5. Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum order quantity (MOQ) – 20 metric tons (MT) net, single ISO tank equivalent.

• Loading capacity per logistics unit –

  • ISO tank container: 24 MT (max gross weight compliant with IMDG Code)

  • Bulk chemical tanker (truck): 26 MT

  • Rail tank car (Europe/Asia): 45–55 MT

  • Vessel (coastal/inland barge): 1,000–3,000 MT

Delivery term preference – CIF or CFR major industrial ports (basis FOB refinery optional for contract volume >500 MT/month). Payment terms: LC at sight or SBLC for qualified counterparties.