Chemical
S-Oil reaches final investment decision on Axens Xylene Isomerization unit
Under the agreement, Axens will provide the technology license, process design package and technical services supporting project execution and start-up
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By ICN Bureau | September 14, 2026
S-Oil has reached Final Investment Decision (FID) on a new Liquid Phase Xylene Isomerization (LPI) unit at its Aromatics Complex #1, advancing a project aimed at boosting paraxylene production while cutting energy use and emissions.
The project follows a license agreement signed between S-Oil and Axens in late 2024 for Axens’ LPI technology. The new unit is scheduled to start up in the second quarter of 2027.
Under the agreement, Axens will provide the technology license, process design package and technical services supporting project execution and start-up.
The investment is expected to strengthen the performance and competitiveness of S-Oil’s petrochemicals operations while improving the overall efficiency of its aromatics complex.
By deploying Axens’ LPI technology, S-Oil and Axens aim to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions across the complex. The project is also designed to help S-Oil respond to growing demand for paraxylene, a key raw material used in polyester and related products.
Axens’ LPI technology, owned by ExxonMobil and licensed by Axens, has already been deployed at several aromatics complexes worldwide. The technology has benefited from ongoing advances in catalyst performance and process optimization.
A key advantage of the technology is its ability to optimize the balance between liquid-phase and vapor-phase isomerization units. This can deliver substantial energy savings across the xylenes loop while improving the economics of the wider aromatics complex.
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