This report presents data on xylenes in four major sections-mixed xylenes, para-xylene, ortho-xylene and meta-xylene. Each section covers the major producing regions, producing companies, production and sales, consumption, price, and trade.
Mixed xylenes are the second-most-important aromatic product in terms of world consumption for chemical manufacture, ranking behind benzene and ahead of toluene. The term mixed xylenes refers to the equilibrium mixture of four isomers with the same C8H10 chemical formula.
Mixed xylenes contain a blend of para-, ortho-, and meta- isomers with other components, such as ethylbenzene. This material is the feedstock from which the three xylene isomers are obtained. The composition may vary, but typically is rich in m-xylene, the least valuable component. By isolating the desired components from the mixed xylenes stream via distillation, crystallization or selective adsorption processes, then isomerizing and recycling the balance of the stream, the mixed xylenes stream can be processed to extinction to produce only the component(s) needed to satisfy demand for each of the isomers.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of xylenes: