You might be familiar with the symbol on the poster of the article that usually could be found on the bottom of mineral water bottles or personal care bottles like shampoo, soap, and lotion. This symbol indicates that the product is made of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), which is a primary raw material for producing beverage bottles, food containers, packaging, and textile crafts. 

According to our database, approximately more than 70 million MT of PET resin were consumed in 2023 globally, with large usage mainly for water or carbonated soda drink bottles, film packaging, and fibers.

Deep dive into PET production, we could explore more about what chemical compound builds PET. To understand more about PET, we need to learn about a chemical called xylene

What is Xylene?

Xylene, also known as xylol or dimethylbenzene, is an aromatic hydrocarbon that appears as a colorless liquid with a sweet-smelling scent. Xylene consists of three main isomers: 

Among the three xylene isomers, para-xylene (p-xylene) is particularly important for PET production. This is because p-xylene serves as the key starting material in the synthesis of purified terephthalic acid (PTA), the raw material of PET resin.

The separation and purification of para-xylene from mixed xylenes involve sophisticated industrial techniques, including fractional distillation and crystallization. These methods ensure that para-xylene is isolated in sufficient purity to be used in subsequent chemical reactions.

 

Process of Converting Xylene to PET

The transformation of xylene into PET resin involves three main stages:

1. Production of Paraxylene (p-Xylene)

Paraxylene is first produced through the catalytic reforming of petroleum-derived naphtha. This process converts the complex hydrocarbons in naphtha into aromatic hydrocarbons, including the three xylene isomers. The para-xylene is then separated from the ortho-xylene and meta-xylene using distillation and crystallization techniques.

2. Production of Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA)

Paraxylene undergoes an oxidation process to produce terephthalic acid (TA). In this stage, para-xylene is reacted with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst, resulting in the formation of crude terephthalic acid. This crude product is further purified to remove impurities, yielding purified terephthalic acid (PTA), a white powder that is essential for making PET.

3. Production of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

In the final stage, PTA is polymerized with ethylene glycol through a process known as polycondensation. This reaction forms long chains of PET polymer. The PET polymer can then be melted and molded into various shapes to create products such as bottles, food containers, and textile fibers.

 

As global consumption of PET continues to rise, particularly in sectors such as beverage packaging and textiles, the demand for para-xylene (p-xylene) as a key feedstock is expected to expand. The growth expected underscores the crucial role of xylene in supporting the production and innovation of PET resin.

 

Tradeasia International has been providing raw chemicals in various industries around the world. If you are looking for Xylene, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and many more to fulfill your specific business needs, contact our sales representative. We are here to support you in finding the best solutions for your requirements.