S-OIL has reached a final investment decision (FID) to adopt Axens’ liquid phase xylene isomerization (LPI) technology at its Aromatics Complex #1 in Ulsan, it is reported. The start-up target is reported as the second quarter of 2027.
S-OIL and Axens signed a technology license agreement for this process in late 2024, and the project has now reached the FID stage, it is reported. The LPI technology, owned by ExxonMobil and licensed through Axens, is reportedly being adopted to meet paraxylene demand while improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions. The technology will be installed at S-OIL’s Aromatics Complex #1.
The technology license agreement was signed in late 2024, and following this FID, the start-up target is confirmed as Q2 2027. The technology applied is the LPI process, owned by ExxonMobil and licensed by Axens. The investment amount has not been separately disclosed.
Paraxylene is a key petrochemical feedstock used in polyester fiber and PET bottle production, and Korea’s refining and petrochemical industry is reportedly seeking to strengthen cost competitiveness by adopting process efficiency technologies.
The adoption of energy efficiency-improving technology for xylene isomerization processes reflects an industry trend of simultaneously pursuing lower paraxylene production costs and reduced carbon emissions, suggesting similar process upgrade investments could spread across aromatics production facilities in Asia.