Paraxylene & PTA

Platinum catalysts are used in the production of para-xylene (PX), an important building block for terephthalic acid (TPA), purified terephthalic acid (PTA) and dimethyl terephthalate (DMT). Palladium catalysts are used in purification steps during PTA manufacture.

PTA and DMT are used to manufacture polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is found in packaging, bottles and polyester fibres. PGM catalysts help these large-scale processes achieve the required yield, selectivity and product purity.