Hydrocarbons that are in a ring formation instead of a linear formation are known as aromatics, as shown in the diagram below.
The diagram below shows a simplified product flow chart for aromatics, which contributes to end products used in the textiles, packaging and industrial sectors.
MX
Metaxylene is a colourless, flammable liquid that is separated from mixed xylenes created during the reforming of petroleum naphtha. MX is the preferred feedstock for purified isophthalic acid (PIA) which is used in the manufacture of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and unsaturated polyester resins (UPR).
PX
Paraxylene is a colourless, flammable liquid that is separated from mixed xylenes created during the reforming of petroleum naphtha. PX is the preferred feedstock for the production of PTA.
PTA
Purified terephthalic acid (PTA), is used in the manufacture of polyesters used in fibres, textiles, film, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles.