Bio-Aromatic Platform: Production of Renewable Para-Xylene and Phenolic
Co-Stream from Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) and CO₂-Derived Syngas
1.1 Background of the Study
The global transition toward a sustainable and circular economy has significantly
reshaped the chemical industry, particularly in the production of aromatic hydrocarbons.
Traditionally, para-xylene (PX), a vital aromatic hydrocarbon used in the manufacture of
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyester fibers, is derived from fossil-based
naphtha reforming. However, this conventional pathway is carbon-intensive,
energy-demanding, and dependent on non-renewable resources.
The proposed Bio-Aromatic Platform aims to produce renewable para-xylene
(r-p-xylene) and phenolic co-streams utilizing Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) and
CO₂-derived syngas as primary feedstocks. The process valorizes agricultural residues
and captured CO₂ emissions, achieving dual objectives of waste minimization and
carbon mitigation. The integration of mechanocatalytic lignin depolymerization,
microwave-assisted hydrodeoxygenation (HDO), and zeolite-catalyzed aromatization
enables the conversion of non-food biomass into high-value aromatic hydrocarbons that
are chemically identical to petroleum-derived PX.
By combining biomass valorization and CO₂ utilization, this system contributes to
national and regional goals for low-carbon industrial development and supports the
Philippines’ commitment to sustainable energy and chemical manufacturing.
2.1 Overview
The Bio-Aromatic Platform operates through seven major process stages,
designed to transform Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) into renewable para-xylene
(r-p-xylene) and phenolic co-streams while utilizing captured CO₂ as a carbon and
hydrogen source. Each stage integrates material and energy recovery for optimal
process sustainability.
2.2 Process Flow Description
Step 1 – Feedstock Preparation and Drying
The EFB feedstock, containing about 50% moisture, is shredded and dried using
recovered waste heat from the aromatization unit to achieve <10% moisture content.
Equipment used: Shredder, rotary dryer, magnetic separator.
Output: Uniform, low-moisture EFB suitable for solvent extraction.
Step 2 – Lignin Extraction via Organosolv or Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES)
Treatment
The dried EFB undergoes solvent treatment using ethanol–water or DES (choline
chloride–lactic acid) mixtures at 150–180 °C to separate lignin from cellulose and
hemicellulose.
Products:
● Lignin liquor (aromatic polymer precursor).
● Cellulose-rich residue (potential for secondary bioethanol or furfural
production).
Step 3 – Mechanocatalytic Lignin Depolymerization
The extracted lignin is depolymerized through high-energy mechanical milling using NiO
or Fe₂O₃ catalysts under ambient conditions (25–60 °C). This process yields phenolic
monomers and dimers as intermediates for further deoxygenation.
Step 4 – Microwave-Assisted Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO)
Phenolic intermediates react with syngas (H₂/CO = 3:1) obtained from CO₂
electroreduction.
Using NiMo/Al₂O₃ or Pd/C catalysts, the process removes oxygen and hydrogenates
aromatic structures at 250–350 °C and 2–5 MPa.
Output: Cyclohexane, toluene, xylenes, and light paraffins.
Step 5 – Zeolite-Catalyzed Aromatization and Para-Xylene Formation
Deoxygenated hydrocarbons are passed through Ga–Zn–ZSM-5 or HZSM-5 zeolite
catalysts at 450–550 °C, producing a mixture of BTX (benzene, toluene, xylenes)
aromatics, dominated by para-xylene.
Output: BTX aromatics, mainly para-xylene.
Step 6 – Product Separation and Purification
The product mixture undergoes:
● Simulated Moving Bed (SMB) adsorption for PX–isomer separation;
● Solvent extraction for phenolics; and
● Distillation and gas–liquid separation for hydrocarbon recovery.
Output: Para-xylene (>99% purity) and high-value phenolic co-streams.
Step 7 – Utilities Integration and CO₂ Recycling
Process integration ensures minimal energy loss and carbon reuse:
● CO₂ electroreduction units generate syngas (H₂ + CO).
● Biochar combustion supplies process heat and syngas enrichment.
● CO₂ capture from off-gases closes the carbon loop.
This design enables a carbon-negative system with >70% emission reduction.
3.1 Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB)
Oil palm plantations in the Philippines produce approximately 140,000 tonnes of
EFB annually (wet basis), equivalent to ~70,000 tonnes dry basis (MPOC, 2023).
EFB composition consists of 35–45% cellulose, 25–30% hemicellulose, and
20–30% lignin (Dolah et al., 2021), making it an excellent source for aromatic
compounds.
3.2 Geographic Distribution of EFB Sources
Region / EFB Availability Major Companies / Notes
Province (t/year)
Agusan del Sur ~25,000 Agusan Plantations Inc., Filipinas Palm Oil
Plantation Inc.
Sultan Kudarat ~20,000 Kenram Industrial Development, Nalco
Palm Oil Mill
North Cotabato ~15,000 Sumifru, local cooperatives
Zamboanga ~8,000 Pilar Palm Oil Mill Corp.
Peninsula
Palawan ~5,000 Palawan Palm & Vegetable Oil Mills Inc.
Mindanao hosts over 90% of the nation’s oil palm plantations, providing a stable
biomass supply for industrial operations.
3.3 CO₂-Derived Syngas
CO₂ emissions from cement plants, sugar mills, and palm oil mill boilers in
Mindanao offer an abundant carbon feedstock (>50 Mt/year; DOE, 2023). Through
electrochemical reduction using renewable electricity, CO₂ is converted to syngas
(H₂/CO = 3:1) suitable for hydrodeoxygenation reactions.
4.1 Main Product: Renewable Para-Xylene (r-p-xylene)
● Chemical Formula: C₈H₁₀
● Applications: Precursor for purified terephthalic acid (PTA), PET bottles, and
polyester fibers.
● Benefits: Drop-in substitute for fossil PX; 70% lifecycle CO₂ reduction.
4.2 By-Products and Utilization
By-Product Utilization
Phenolic Resins, adhesives, coatings
co-stream
Biochar Soil amendment, carbon
sequestration
Light olefins Polymer precursors, fuels
Light gases Recycled as process energy
5.1 Introduction
This chapter analyzes the potential market for renewable para-xylene (r-PX) and
phenolic co-streams produced from the Bio-Aromatic Platform utilizing Empty Fruit
Bunches (EFB) and CO₂-derived syngas. It covers global and domestic market status,
identifies key industrial customers, and evaluates competitive positioning,
demand–supply balance, and risk factors relevant to Philippine palm-oil regions.
5.2 Global Market Overview
The global para-xylene market was valued at USD 57.8 billion in 2025 and is
projected to reach USD 86.4 billion by 2034, growing at 4.5–5.3 % CAGR (Mordor
Intelligence, 2024).
Demand is led by polyester fiber and PET resin production in Asia-Pacific economies
such as China, India, and Southeast Asia.
The global phenol market stands at USD 15 billion (2024) with 5–6 % annual
growth (IMARC Group, 2024). Sustainability-driven substitution of fossil phenol by
lignin-derived phenolics is accelerating, especially in coatings and adhesive sectors.
5.3 Philippine Market Overview
The Philippines does not yet produce para-xylene or phenol locally. All aromatic
feedstocks are imported, mainly from Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea (IndexBox,
2023). The palm-oil sector, however, generates about 140 000 t EFB per year (wet
basis)—around 70 000 t dry—from Agusan del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato,
Zamboanga Peninsula, and Palawan (MPOC 2023; PSA 2023). Valorizing this biomass
into aromatics creates a new downstream market while addressing waste disposal
issues at palm-oil mills.
Product Local Demand Import Estimated Market Value (USD
(t/y) Share million)
Para-xylene ~72 100 % 0.12
imported
Phenol & ~15 000 95 % 20–25
Derivatives imported
PET Resins >200 000 40 % 300–350
imported
5.4 Target Market Identification
The proposed Mindanao-based plant targets domestic petrochemical,
packaging, and resin industries, with export potential to nearby ASEAN markets.
5.4.1 Para-Xylene Market
Company / Location Industry Role Relevance to r-PX
Product
JG Summit Petrochemical Largest integrated Potential buyer for
Corp. (Batangas) petrochemical complex renewable PX blending
in PH with fossil aromatics
Chemrez Technologies Inc. Specialty resin and Uses PX-derived
(Quezon City) polymer producer intermediates in polyester
resins
PETValue Philippines PET bottle and flake Ideal user for renewable
(Cavite) – Coca-Cola & recycler PX to produce low-carbon
Indorama Ventures JV PET
Indorama Ventures Regional PTA/PET Potential regional offtaker
(Thailand) producer
PTT Global Chemical Major ASEAN PX Could integrate renewable
(Thailand) producer PX streams for ESG
targets
5.4.2 Phenolic Co-Stream Market
Company / Location Product Type Potential Use
Pacific Resins & Coatings Phenolic & alkyd Bio-phenol feedstock
Corp. (Laguna) resins
Adhesives, Renewable phenolic
Pioneer Adhesives Inc. coatings substitution
(formerly RCI)
Boysen Paints (Pacific Paints) Paints & coatings Sustainable resin formulations
Construction / Shipbuilding Adhesives, Bio-resin adoption for
Sector laminates low-VOC materials
5.5 Supply Chain and Plant Location
Feedstock Supply: Palm-oil mills in Agusan del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, and North
Cotabato collectively produce over 60 % of the country’s EFB.
CO₂ Supply: Cement, power, and palm-oil boilers in Mindanao emit >10 Mt CO₂/year
(DOE 2023).
Proposed Site: Agusan del Sur Industrial Zone – near Agusan Plantations Inc. and
Filipinas Palm Oil Plantation Inc.
Advantages: steady EFB feedstock, river transport access, and proximity to port of
Butuan for export.
5.6 Market Positioning
Aspect Renewable Para-Xylene Phenolic Co-Stream
Unique Selling 100 % bio-based aromatic from Bio-resin precursor with 70 %
Point palm waste lower CO₂
Customer Benefit Enables low-carbon PET, textile Eco-friendly alternative to
sustainability fossil phenol
Target Price 1 050–1 100 1 200–1 250
(USD/t)
Distribution Direct contracts with Bulk supply to resin &
petrochemical firms adhesive makers
5.7 Potential Export Market (ASEAN)
● Malaysia: Petronas Chemicals Group – palm-based feedstock synergy.
● Thailand: PTT Global Chemical, Indorama Ventures – regional PX demand.
● Singapore: Shell Eastern, ExxonMobil – aromatics trading hub.
● Vietnam: Dinh Vu PET Plant – PTA/PET imports.
References
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Department of Energy (DOE). (2023). Philippine energy sector greenhouse gas
inventory.
Dolah, R., et al. (2021). Valorization of empty fruit bunch lignin for aromatic production.
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IMARC Group. (2024). Phenol market: Global industry trends and forecasts.
IndexBox. (2023). Paraxylene import data – Philippines.
Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC). (2023). Philippines: Rising demand for palm oil.
Mordor Intelligence. (2024). Para-xylene market analysis – Global trends.
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). (2023). Major crops statistics of the Philippines
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