Following the license agreement signed between S-OIL Corp. (Seoul, South Korea) and Axens S.A. (Rueil-Malmaison, France) in late 2024 for Axens’ Liquid Phase Xylene Isomerization (LPI) technology, the project has now reached Final Investment Decision. The unit, which is to be installed at S-OIL’s Aromatics Complex #1, is scheduled to start up in Q2 2027.
Axens’ scope of work includes the technology license, process design package, and technical services to support the project execution and start-up. By investing in Axens’ LPI technology, S-OIL continues to strengthen the performance and competitiveness of its petrochemicals operations. Through this LPI license contract, S-OIL and Axens aim to enhance overall aromatics complex performance with improved energy efficiency and reduced emissions. The project will help meet growing demand for paraxylene while contributing to improved energy efficiency of the petrochemicals industry.
Owned by ExxonMobil Holdings Corp. (Spring, Texas) and licensed by Axens, LPI technology has been successfully implemented in several aromatics complexes worldwide, benefiting from continuous improvements in catalyst performance and process optimization.
By optimizing the balance between liquid-phase and vapor-phase isomerization units, the technology delivers substantial energy savings across the xylenes loop and contributes to improved complex economics.