A systematic global optimization-based process synthesis framework is presented to determine the most profitable processes to produce aromatics from natural gas. Several novel, commercial, and/or competing technologies are modeled within the framework, including methanol-to-aromatics, toluene alkylation with methanol, selective toluene disproportionation, and toluene disproportionation and transalkylation with heavy aromatics, among others. We propose a standalone chemicals facility: the main products are aromatics with allowable by-products of gasoline, liquefied petroleum gas, and electricity. Several case studies are discussed that produce varying ratios of para-, ortho-, and meta-xylene across multiple refinery capacities. The results indicate that utilizing natural gas for the production of aromatics is profitable with net present values as high as $3800 MM dollars and payback periods as low as 6 years. The required investment for these refineries represents as much as a 65% decrease compared to published estimates of similar coal-based capacity plants. (C) 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers