How is China's C9 aromatics capacity shifting toward higher-value fine chemicals?

How is China's C9 aromatics capacity shifting toward higher-value fine chemicals?
The C9 value chain is moving from mixed use toward separated, higher-purity products. A 60,000 ton per year C9 aromatics comprehensive utilization unit in Nanjing is designed to yield roughly 17,090 tons of mesitylene, 4,000 tons of durene, and 32,590 tons of light C9 aromatics annually, with an alternative slate producing 19,600 tons of trimellitic anhydride feedstock. Meanwhile, a 4 million ton per year C9+ heavy aromatics and toluene disproportionation project in Quanzhou, with 1.24 billion yuan of investment, targets xylene and benzene output. These projects show producers competing to capture margin by upgrading heavy aromatics rather than selling them as fuel or solvent.