Aromatics

Benzene is the starting point for styrene, cumene and phenol, cyclohexane and nylon, and aniline. Toluene serves as a solvent and as a raw material for toluene diisocyanate and benzene. Para-xylene goes into terephthalic acid and polyester, while ortho-xylene feeds phthalic anhydride. Mixed xylenes and aromatic solvents are widely used in paints, inks, adhesives and agrochemical formulations.

Specifications include purity by GC, non-aromatics, sulfur, colour, acid wash colour, bromine index and distillation range. Benzene is a known human carcinogen with strict exposure limits, and aromatic solvent grades with low naphthalene content are requested for crop protection products. Toluene is a listed drug precursor in many countries. Cyclic hydrocarbons fall under HS heading 2902, while aromatic solvent mixtures are usually classified in chapter 27.