p-Xylene Price | Current and Forecast
Monitor p-Xylene Prices Worldwide
See monthly Paraxylene prices in 5 locations: US, Middle East, S. America, SE Asia, Europe, NE Asia. Also check Paraxylene price history since 2007 and forecasts. Subscribe now to Intratec Primary Commodity Prices and gain access to current prices of 244 commodities, including Paraxylene.
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Data Legend. The Paraxylene price chart shows the prices in USA Dollar per metric ton (USD/mt) in 6 locations, as follows:
- US: transaction, fob
- Middle East: transaction, fob, Saudi Arabia
- S. America: transaction, cif, Brazil
- SE Asia: transaction, cif, India
- Europe: transaction, fob, Netherlands
- NE Asia: transaction, fob, South Korea
Data Use. Paraxylene prices are provided as an annual subscription where subscribers have access to reliable pricing data of 244 commodities worldwide. To better understand data provided by Intratec Primary Commodity Prices, check the following documents: Price Assessment Basis , Commodities Specifications , Methodology , User Guide , and Glossary .
Price Dynamics. The p-Xylene price in United States increased during September 2018 to 1,220 USD per metric ton, which represents a considerable rise of 39% compared to the previous month’s value. On a year-over-year basis, p-Xylene prices in United States increased significantly by 56%. Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, the average price of p-Xylene amounted to 1,220 USD per metric ton, from 848 USD per metric ton one year earlier. On a month-over-month basis, the p-Xylene price in Saudi Arabia is 13% higher than the price one month before.
The price of p-Xylene in Brazil rose slightly throughout September 2018, reaching 936 USD per metric ton. The price in Brazil is 2% higher than the average price in the previous month and 45% higher than the average price one year before. In contrast, p-Xylene prices in India increased significantly during September 2018, reaching 1,240 USD per metric ton, which means a rise of 20% from the previous month’s price and a rise of 48% from the previous year’s price.
The p-Xylene prices in Netherlands experienced a modest rise of 20 USD per metric ton from the prior month's price, to 1,070 USD per metric ton. Such price movement in Netherlands meant a rise of 2% on a monthly basis and a rise of 37% on a yearly basis. On the other hand, in September 2018, the p-Xylene price in South Korea witnessed a rise of 140 USD per metric ton when compared against the previous month's price, to 1,230 USD per metric ton. The September 2018 price in South Korea is 55% higher than the price one year before.
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About p-Xylene. Paraxylene (a.k.a. p-Xylene, p-Xylol, 1,4-Dimethylbenzene) is the most important commercial isomer among the xylenes group (benzene derivates). It is a colorless watery liquid with sweet odor. The most important application of paraxylene is in the production of terephthalic acid and dimethyl terephthalate, widely used in the manufacture of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for ultimate use in fibers, films, and resins.
While xylenes can be extracted from different raw materials, based on petroleum (e.g. reformates, pyrolysis gasoline) and coal (e.g. oven tar, coke-oven benzole), high purity p-Xylene can be isolated from xylenes mainly through crystallization processes and adsorption processes.
All xylene isomers should be stored in closed containers with appropriate labels and away from heat. Paraxylene should be stored at ambient temperature in tightly closed containers, which must be resealed when open and keep upright to prevent leakage. It is advised a detached or restricted area for this chemical storage and mechanical ventilation to get rid of toxic vapors or fumes from xylene or similar chemicals. Moreover, methods of handling flammable and combustible hydrocarbons must be followed, such as using electrically bound or ground containers to transfer/store these solutions.
The two main commercial routes for xylenes production are based on catalytic reforming and toluene disproportionation. High purity Paraxylene, in turn, is obtained from mixed xylenes through separation methods such as crystallization and adsorption. Raw materials and the respective production processes employed in the manufacturing of p-Xylene are listed below.
- Mixed xylenes (separation),
- Toluene (Mobil MSTDP process, coproduced with benzene)
The uses and applications of Paraxylene may vary according to its specification. The main forms of Paraxylene are reagent grade (99% minimum purity) and technical grade (98% purity).
Paraxylene is used mainly to synthesize terephthalic acid and dimethyl terephthalate for polyester resins and fibers and in the production of insecticides, pharmaceuticals, and vitamins. Some miscellaneous p-Xylene applications include as a solvent, a herbicide, and in the production of di-paraxylene.
