Aromatics are characterized by the cyclical form of the hydrocarbon bonds that make up the molecule. And although by far the most plastics are based on olefins, there are still a great many plastics that have aromatics as their major ingredient. Aromatics are produced from naphtha in 'reforming' processes at high temperatures (400 to 500°C) and pressures (25 to 35 bar). Under these conditions naphtha is converted into a mixture, approximately half of which is comprised of aromatics.

Aromatics are divided into benzene, toluene, xylene and cyclohexane. Benzene is probably the best known product. It is used in the production of styrene monomers for polystyrene plastics and other styrene derivatives. Toluene is used in products such as solvents and as a component in high octane petrol. Orthoxylene is an essential component in plasticizers and paraxylene is essential to polyester fibers, foils and resins (PET bottles). One of the end products of cyclohexane is nylon, with which we are of course all familiar.

ExxonMobil Chemical also plays a leading role in the world market for these products, with advanced production sites in the Netherlands (Rotterdam), Singapore, Thailand and Japan.