BASF, Huntsman, Shanghai Hua Yi (Group) Company, Shanghai Chlor-Alkali Chemical Co. Ltd. and SINOPEC Group Assets Management Corporation held a ceremony kicking off the construction of a new plant with a production capacity of 240,000t of crude diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) per year, at Shanghai Lianheng Isocyanate Co. (SLIC) in Caojing, China. With the new plant, the MDI capacity at this site will be doubled to 480,000t per year. In addition, the partners plan to build an HCl (hydrogen chloride) recycling plant for the production of chlorine, a precursor for MDI. The facility is expected to start up 2017.
MDI is an important precursor in the manufacture of polyurethanes – versatile polymers that are used in industries like construction, automotive, appliance and footwear. “Asia Pacific remains an important growth and investment region for BASF, with the fast growing Chinese market being a major focus. With the new plant, BASF can participate in this dynamic market”, said Martin Brudermüller, Vice Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, responsible for Asia Pacific.
The new MDI plant is planned at the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park (SCIP) in Caojing, adjacent to the existing integrated isocyanates complex. This will enable the utilization and full access to raw materials and energy.
