Para-Xylene
The essential feedstock for PTA and PET — behind the world's polyester fibre, plastic bottles and packaging film.
Chelora Chemicals supplies para-xylene to PTA and polyester-chain producers worldwide, with full documentation on every consignment.
Product identity
- CAS Number
- 106-42-3
- IUPAC name
- 1,4-Dimethylbenzene
- Molecular formula
- C₈H₁₀
- Molecular weight
- 106.16 g/mol
- Boiling point
- 138.4 °C
- Melting point
- 13.3 °C
- UN Number
- UN 1307
- HS Code
- 2902 43
Note: Para-xylene's melting point is close to ambient temperature; it may partially solidify in cool transport or storage conditions. Confirm handling requirements with your regulatory affairs team.
What Para-Xylene is used for
Para-Xylene (PX) is a colourless, flammable liquid — though its melting point sits just above typical cool-climate ambient temperatures, so it can partially solidify in storage. It is the most symmetrical and commercially the most valuable of the three xylene isomers, separated from the mixed-xylenes stream by crystallisation or adsorptive (simulated moving-bed) separation, supplemented by isomerising the other xylenes and ethylbenzene toward para-xylene.
Para-xylene's use is overwhelmingly as the feedstock for purified terephthalic acid (PTA) and dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), made by catalytic air oxidation. PTA is polycondensed with mono ethylene glycol to form polyethylene terephthalate (PET) — the polymer behind polyester textile fibre, plastic bottles, film and packaging — making para-xylene one of the highest-volume aromatic intermediates in the world.
Where it sits in the petrochemical value chain
- Mixed Xylenes the aromatic C8 stream para-xylene is separated from. See that page.
- Para-Xylene (this product) the isomer feedstock for the PTA/PET chain.
- PTA / PET Resin the downstream intermediate and polymer behind polyester fibre and bottle-grade resin. See Mono Ethylene Glycol, PET's co-monomer.
Handling character
Para-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 (may partially solidify when cool) |
| Purity | 99.7% min (PTA feed grade) |
| Ortho-/meta-xylene content | Within producer specification |
| Ethylbenzene 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 (solid below 13.3 °C) |
| Boiling point | 138.4 °C |
| Melting point | 13.3 °C |
| Density | 0.8611 g/cm³ |
| Water solubility | Low (~0.16 g/L) |
| Flash point | 25 °C (flammable) |
Physical constants compiled from public reference data for CAS 106-42-3 and rounded for readability. Treat them as orientation, not as a specification.
Where our customers put Para-Xylene to work
The isomer behind PTA, PET resin and the world's polyester fibre and bottle supply.
Purified terephthalic acid (PTA)
Catalytically air-oxidised into PTA, the dominant and almost exclusive use of para-xylene.
- PTA feed-grade specification
- Bulk & drum supply
- Technical desk review on request
PET polyester fibre
PTA polycondensed with MEG into PET for textile and industrial polyester fibre.
- Industrial-grade specification
- Documented batch traceability
- Contract & spot supply
PET bottle & packaging resin
Bottle-grade PET for beverage, food and household packaging, valued for clarity and barrier properties.
- Full analytical documentation available
- Retained sample held against the lot
PET film
Biaxially oriented PET (BoPET) film for packaging, electrical and industrial applications.
- Documented batch traceability
- Technical desk review on request
Dimethyl terephthalate (DMT)
Alternative esterification route to DMT for specific polyester production processes.
- Research & process-scale quantities
- Full documentation supplied
Contract & scheduled supply
PTA and polyester-chain 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 Para-Xylene
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and sourcing partner, not a manufacturer. Isomer purity and ethylbenzene content are critical to PTA yield and 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 PTA yield and PET polymer 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.
- PTA feed-grade material sourced to your process. Matched precisely to your terephthalic acid 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 PTA 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
Para-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; note that PX may partially solidify in cool storage. Always read the SDS issued with your specific batch.
Storage
Store in tightly closed, temperature-managed 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, ethylbenzene 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 Para-Xylene is made
Para-xylene is separated industrially from the mixed-xylenes stream by crystallisation (exploiting its relatively high melting point) or by adsorptive simulated moving-bed separation, since its boiling point is too close to that of the other isomers for simple distillation. Ortho-, meta-xylene and ethylbenzene left over after PX extraction are routed to isomerisation units that convert them back toward the equilibrium mixture, maximising overall para-xylene yield from the xylenes complex.
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 (para-disubstituted arene) |
|---|---|
| Functional groups | Aromatic ring with two methyl substituents, 1,4-positioned |
| Reactivity | Catalytic air oxidation to terephthalic acid; electrophilic aromatic substitution |
| Related compounds | Mixed Xylenes (source stream), Meta-Xylene, Ortho-Xylene (related isomers), PTA/PET (downstream) |
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Para-Xylene, answered
What is Para-Xylene used for?
How is Para-Xylene made?
Is Para-Xylene hazardous?
What grade do you supply?
What packing do you offer?
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Send us your required grade, pack size and delivery window. We will come back with a firm quote, lead time and full documentation.