What are aromatics used for and why do they matter?

Like olefins, aromatics are widely used as starting materials for a wide range of consumer products. The main aromatics are benzene, toluene, and the xylenes.

Following the process from crude oil through the refinery and then onto the cracking plant where aromatics are further broken down can be a complex, multi-step undertaking. For example, it takes more than seven steps to go from benzene to the nylon used in common items like clothes, rope, seat belts, parachutes, and even dental floss.

Without going into detail on all the multiple-step processes, suffice it to say that aromatics are used to manufacture many products that make our lives easier, safer, and better like aspirin, medical equipment, soap, furniture, plastic bottles, insulation, and even materials for the mattresses on which we sleep.

Reducing the negative impact of aromatics on the environment

Just like olefins, aromatics all start out as crude oil. They are ultimately a derivative of hydrocarbons. And just like with olefins, a significant volume of fossil fuel must be burned throughout the chemical processing chain to supply the heat conventional reactors demand. Check out the Syzygy research and development roadmap for more information about our plans for producing lower-emission olefins.