GS CALTEX BUSINESS — CHAPTER 02
2.8 million tons a year of world-scale aromatics —
the second chapter, from naphtha to materials.
Naphtha from refining passes through petrochemical processes to become aromatics products — benzene, toluene, mixed xylene and para-xylene. Backed by world-scale capacity and accumulated technology, GS Caltex supplies high-quality aromatics reliably to customers at home and abroad.
ORIGIN
The name aromatics comes from the fact that some of the compounds first discovered in this group had a distinctive fragrance.
Today the term has nothing to do with smell. Aromatics now refers to compounds with a specific molecular structure and properties, like benzene.
01 — BENZENE RING
Benzene is a representative aromatic compound in which six carbon atoms are bonded in a ring. It serves as a basic feedstock for a wide range of chemical products.
01 — TOLUENE
Toluene is an aromatic product with a methyl group (CH₃) bonded to the benzene ring. It is used as a solvent for paint, ink and adhesives, and as feedstock for polyurethane and other products.
01 — PARA-XYLENE
Para-xylene is a key feedstock for terephthalic acid (TPA), used to make polyester fiber, PET and a range of other materials.
01 — MIXED XYLENE
Mixed xylene is an aromatic product blending several xylene isomers and ethylbenzene. It is used as a solvent for paint and pesticides, and as feedstock for para-xylene and other petrochemical products.
02 — CAPACITY
03 — INTO EVERYDAY LIFE
NEXT — OLEFINS
Naphtha, LPG and off-gas from the refining process are used as feedstock for olefin production. The next chapter looks at the olefins business, which turns that feedstock into ethylene, propylene and more.