Abstract
Global production and consumption of mixed xylenes in 2007 was approximately 41 million metric tons. Global capacity utilization was 83.6% in 2007; this was a slight decline from 2006 due to a larger increase in capacity than consumption. Global xylenes consumption is estimated to have increased by almost 9% in 2007, and is expected to increase by 4.4% per year from 2007 to 2012, declining to 3.6% per year from 2012 to 2017. As a result of considerable capacity additions, utilization rates are expected to decline to the mid-70s range by 2011, gradually increasing afterward.
Para-xylene (p-Xylene) accounted for 82% of global mixed xylenes consumption in 2007, followed by ortho-xylene (o-Xylene) with 9% of total consumption. Other applications for xylenes include meta-xylene, gasoline blending and solvent use.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of xylenes by end use:
