Meta-Xylene
The feedstock for isophthalic acid — a quality-upgrading comonomer across PET packaging resin, unsaturated polyester and powder coatings.
Chelora Chemicals supplies meta-xylene to isophthalic acid and solvent customers worldwide, with full documentation on every consignment.
Product identity
- CAS Number
- 108-38-3
- IUPAC name
- 1,3-Dimethylbenzene
- Molecular formula
- C₈H₁₀
- Molecular weight
- 106.16 g/mol
- Boiling point
- 139.1 °C
- Melting point
- -47.9 °C
- UN Number
- UN 1307
- HS Code
- 2902 42
Note: Meta-xylene is separated or isomerised from the mixed-xylenes stream to a defined isomer purity. Confirm requirements with your regulatory affairs team.
What Meta-Xylene is used for
Meta-Xylene (m-xylene) is a colourless, flammable liquid with a sweet aromatic odour, one of the three xylene isomers. It is the thermodynamically favoured isomer in catalytic reforming, making it the largest component of the raw mixed-xylenes stream, and is separated or produced by isomerising the other xylene isomers toward equilibrium.
Meta-xylene's principal use is as the feedstock for isophthalic acid (IPA), made by catalytic air oxidation. IPA is used as a comonomer in PET resin to improve clarity, barrier properties and processability in packaging applications, and as a key building block in unsaturated polyester resins and powder coatings valued for weatherability and chemical resistance.
Where it sits in the petrochemical value chain
- Mixed Xylenes the aromatic C8 stream meta-xylene is recovered or isomerised from. See that page.
- Meta-Xylene (this product) the isomer feedstock for the isophthalic acid chain.
- Isophthalic Acid the downstream intermediate for PET copolymer resin, unsaturated polyester and powder coatings.
Handling character
Meta-xylene is flammable and an irritant to skin, eyes and the respiratory tract, requiring standard aromatic-solvent handling controls. Full hazard detail is in the Safety section below.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colourless liquid |
| Purity | 99.0% min (IPA feed grade) |
| Ortho-/para-xylene content | Within producer specification |
| Non-aromatic content | Within producer specification |
Important: the figures above are indicative of commercial material and are offered for planning only. The batch certificate of analysis is the governing document.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Physical state | Colourless, flammable liquid |
| Boiling point | 139.1 °C |
| Melting point | -47.9 °C |
| Density | 0.8642 g/cm³ |
| Water solubility | Low (~0.16 g/L) |
| Flash point | 27 °C (flammable) |
Physical constants compiled from public reference data for CAS 108-38-3 and rounded for readability. Treat them as orientation, not as a specification.
Where our customers put Meta-Xylene to work
The isomer behind isophthalic acid, PET quality upgrades and durable coating resins.
Isophthalic acid (IPA) production
Catalytically air-oxidised into isophthalic acid, the dominant downstream use of meta-xylene.
- Feed-grade specification
- Bulk & drum supply
- Technical desk review on request
PET copolymer resin
IPA used as a comonomer in PET to improve clarity, barrier properties and processing for packaging.
- Industrial-grade specification
- Documented batch traceability
- Contract & spot supply
Unsaturated polyester resins
IPA-based UPR for fibreglass-reinforced composites with better weatherability than standard grades.
- Full analytical documentation available
- Retained sample held against the lot
Powder coatings
IPA-modified polyester resins for durable, weather-resistant powder coating formulations.
- Documented batch traceability
- Technical desk review on request
Isomerisation feedstock
Also fed to isomerisation units to rebalance a xylenes complex toward para- or ortho-xylene demand.
- Research & process-scale quantities
- Full documentation supplied
Contract & scheduled supply
IPA and resin plants running continuous consumption are supported with scheduled bulk delivery.
- Annual contracts with scheduled call-off
- Price held across the contract period
- Second source held in reserve
How we supply Meta-Xylene
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and sourcing partner, not a manufacturer. Isomer purity against ortho- and para-xylene is critical to isophthalic acid yield and downstream resin quality — that shapes how we manage this line.
We place your order with whichever qualified producer best matches your required grade, your price point and your delivery window, and confirm your jurisdiction's import requirements before booking.
We keep a second qualified source on this line, so a single-plant disruption never becomes your production problem.
- Isomer purity confirmed before we quote. Consistency matters to downstream isophthalic acid yield and quality.
- UN 1307 documentation managed end to end. Classification, labelling and carrier compliance confirmed before booking.
- Scheduled call-off scheduling. We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your consumption calendar.
- Batch traceability to the producing plant. Full chain of custody documentation on request.
- Export machinery handled in-house. Classification, approved packing, labelling, freight booking and customs paperwork are ours to manage.
- Feed-grade and solvent-grade both sourced. Matched precisely to your end-use specification.
Packed the way your plant receives it
Drum, tote or bulk tank — tell us your preferred format and we will quote and classify to it.
200-210 litre drums
Steel drums for smaller-volume orders and trial quantities.
~1,000 litre totes
Returnable or one-way IBC totes sized for mid-volume converter orders.
Large-volume bulk shipment
ISO tank or flexi-tank bulk shipment for continuous-consumption IPA and resin plants.
Incoterms to suit you
Quoted on the Incoterm your purchasing team works to, with documentation filed before booking.
Trial / sample quantities
Small packs dispatched for process trials before a commercial order is placed.
Contracted call-off supply
We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your consumption calendar.
Flammable & irritant — handle accordingly
Meta-xylene is flammable and irritating to skin, eyes and the respiratory tract, with aspiration hazard if swallowed. The summary below is orientation only — the safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch is the authoritative document.
Classified hazards
H226Flammable liquid and vapour.H332+H312Harmful if inhaled or in contact with skin.H315+H319+H304Causes skin and eye irritation; may be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.
Use with adequate ventilation. Avoid inhalation and prolonged skin contact; always read the SDS issued with your specific batch.
Storage
Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from heat, sunlight and oxidising agents.
Handling
Use solvent-resistant gloves, eye protection and adequate ventilation (local exhaust where concentrations may build). Avoid inhalation, ingestion and prolonged skin contact.
Transport
Shipped as UN 1307 (Xylenes), a flammable liquid. We confirm and document exact classification for your specific shipment and destination.
Every batch, documented
We verify documentation before dispatch so there are no surprises at your incoming-goods bench.
Specification agreed
Isomer purity and non-aromatic content confirmed against your process requirement before order placement.
Producer batch testing
The producing plant tests each batch against the agreed specification before release.
Documentation review
COA, SDS and transport paperwork checked by our desk before the shipment is booked.
Traceable dispatch
Each shipment is traceable to its producing batch, with full chain-of-custody records on request.
How Meta-Xylene is made
Meta-xylene is recovered as the largest component of the mixed-xylenes stream from catalytic reforming and pyrolysis gasoline, since it is the thermodynamically favoured isomer at reforming equilibrium. Dedicated meta-xylene is also produced by isomerising ortho- or para-xylene-depleted streams back toward the equilibrium isomer distribution, then separating the meta-isomer.
We do not publish operating process parameters here; this is background only. Full technical documentation accompanies every shipment, and any process-specific detail you need is best confirmed directly with our technical desk.
| Chemical family | Aromatic hydrocarbon (meta-disubstituted arene) |
|---|---|
| Functional groups | Aromatic ring with two methyl substituents, 1,3-positioned |
| Reactivity | Catalytic air oxidation to isophthalic acid; electrophilic aromatic substitution |
| Related compounds | Mixed Xylenes (source stream), Ortho-Xylene, Para-Xylene (related isomers) |
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Meta-Xylene, answered
What is Meta-Xylene used for?
How is Meta-Xylene made?
Is Meta-Xylene hazardous?
What grade do you supply?
What packing do you offer?
Do you manufacture this yourself?
Get a quote on Meta-Xylene today
Send us your required grade, pack size and delivery window. We will come back with a firm quote, lead time and full documentation.