Axens will supply its suite of ParamaX technologies, which produce PX, benzene and mixed xylenes from aromatic-rich reformate and pyrolysis gasoline. The ParamaX suite includes Arofining selective olefin removal; Eluxyl PX purification; XyMax C8 aromatics isomerisation; and TransPlus aromatics transalkylation.

The project will expand CHPCL’s high-purity aromatics capacity to 3 million t/y. The new complex will also include 1.5 million t/y of PX in a single train. A timescale for the project was not disclosed.

“This brand-new, state-of-the-art aromatics complex will allow CHPCL to further improve its resilience and competitiveness while producing highly valuable aromatics products,” said Patrick Sarrazin, executive vice-president of Axens’ process licensing global business unit.

Under the terms of the contract, Axens will supply catalysts, adsorbents and equipment along with staff training and plant start-up, followed by plant performance monitoring services.

CHPCL has been running an Axens ParamaX complex producing more than 1.3 million t/y of pure aromatics since 2009.

Axens said it has licensed more than 30 ParamaX aromatics complexes to date as well as 400 process units aimed at aromatics production or transformation.