The IndianOil Board has given the green signal for the implementation of an integrated para-xylene (PX) and purified terephthalic acid (PTA) complex project at Paradip in the state of Odisha. The PX-PTA complex shall be integrated with IndianOil's Paradip refinery, which has been operational since 2015. The PX/PTA project will be completed by early 2024. The petrochemicals complex will have a PX production capacity of 800 000 tpy, which would be the feedstock for production of PTA. The production capacity of PTA would be 1.2 million tpy. PTA is the raw material for the production of polyester along with MEG. IndianOil's MEG production facility is already under implementation at Paradip and will become operational towards the end of 2021.The availability of both PTA and MEG at Paradip will give a boost to polyester manufacturing facilities in the vicinity. Also, 50 000 tpy of toluene will be produced. With the commissioning of both PTA and MEG projects, the Petrochemical Intensity Index of Paradip Refinery will increase to 14.7 from the present level of 4.5.
