Andrews, J.

ExxonMobil Chemical Co., Houston, Texas

Catalytic processes operation during downturns in aromatics complexes

Andrews, J., Hung, J., Molinier, M., Lim, Y. T., ExxonMobil Chemical Co.

Paraxylene production is a highly cyclical business that is subject to changes in the global economy and dependent on feedstock costs, alternative dispositions for aromatics, utilities costs and plant locations, among other factors. With the large PX capacity added by recently started crude-to-chemicals complexes and the expected impact of the economic recession on commodities demand, many aromatics complexes face a significant slowdown in the coming months or, possibly, years.