Entity

Gexaro is a benzene extraction unit located on the Lavéra refinery site (operated by Petroineos Manufacturing France SAS), producing high-purity benzene from the pyrolysis gasoline (PyGas) cut generated by the Naphtachimie steam cracker. 

The process involves two steps:

1. the PyGas cut from the steam cracker is first hydrogenated to remove di-olefins and other unstable species
2. Benzene is then recovered by extractive distillation.

With a production capacity of 270,000 tonnes/year of benzene, Gexaro is one of the larger benzene units in southern Europe. 

Gexaro is physically located on the Petroineos refinery site and, uniquely among the INEOS-owned Lavéra entities, continues to be operated by Petroineos Manufacturing France SAS under a service/operation agreement on behalf of INEOS. This reflects the unit's technical integration with refinery utilities and infrastructure rather than with the chemical units.