Abstract: The system and method for optimizing para-xylene production from a feed stream containing para-xylene, ortho-xylene, meta-xylene, ethylbenzene and non-aromatics propose directing the feed stream into an isomerization unit of the system rather than to a separator of the system to avoid causing a bottleneck at the separator and to initially remove ethylbenzene and non-aromatics from the feed stream. This system and method may further provide a reactor in the feed stream used in a pretreatment step, the reactor containing an isomerization catalyst in an amount sufficient to convert substantially all the ethylbenzene in the feed stream to benzene, which is immediately removed and to convert and remove non-aromatics therefrom to optimize equilibrium isomer concentration in the isomerization unit and substantially eliminate coking therein.