ExxonMobil to expand Rotterdam aromatics plant

Sept. 25, 2007
ExxonMobil Chemical Co. plans to expand its Rotterdam aromatics plant in Botlek, the Netherlands, making it the company's largest paraxylene production facility.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Sept. 25 -- ExxonMobil Chemical Co. plans to expand its Rotterdam aromatics plant in Botlek, the Netherlands, making it the company's largest paraxylene production facility.

The expansion will increase the facility's production capacity by 25% for paraxylene and by 20% for benzene.

Construction is scheduled to begin this year.

The project involves building a heat-exchanger, reactor, and distillation column.

ExxonMobil will use its PxMax technology to produce paraxylene and benzene. The PxMax process improves selectivity, generates less waste, and reduces energy requirements in comparison to existing technologies.

The expansion project will be owned and operated by ExxonMobil Chemical Holland BV.