BASF to build 300,000 tpa single line TDI plant in Europe

28-May-11

BASF will build the world’s largest single-train TDI (toluene diisocyanate) plant in Europe. The plant will have a capacity of 300,000 metric tons per year and will be fully integrated with precursor production. The TDI plant will be located at one of the company’s integrated Verbund sites in Antwerp, Belgium or Ludwigshafen, Germany and will start production in 2014. Engineering is underway and the final site selection will be announced shortly. TDI is a key component used for polyurethane foams. Dr. Martin Brudermüller, Vice Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE and responsible for the Plastics segment, said: “This new investment supports BASF’s growth strategy, underlines our leading position as the largest TDI producer and reinforces our strong commitment to the TDI market. BASF will have the ability to serve its customers’ demand through local world-scale production in the largest markets North America, Europe and Asia, in particular China. We have a superior technology and outstanding safety procedures. Moreover, our unique Verbund concept provides us with excellent cost structures." “With this new plant, we will complement our strong global network of integrated world-scale TDI facilities to serve our customers’ growing demand,” said Wayne T. Smith, President of BASF’s Polyurethanes division. “We expect the global TDI market to grow faster than GDP in the coming years, with strong contribution from Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa. This growth is driven by ongoing urbanization and increasing standards of living.” TDI is a key component for the polyurethanes industry. To a large extent it is used in the automotive industry (e.g. seating cushion and interior applications) as well as in the furniture segment (e.g. flexible foams for mattresses, cushions or wood coating). BASF is a leading supplier of basic products for polyurethanes and operates TDI plants in Geismar, Louisiana; Schwarzheide, Germany; Yeosu, Korea; and Caojing, China.