Bayer Polymers Begins Production Of Mondur CD Isocyanate At Its Baytown, Texas, Facility
Investment in domestic production reinforces company's commitment as a leading polyurethane raw materials manufacturer
PITTSBURGH, Feb. 11, 2004 — Bayer Polymers now produces Mondur CD isocyanate at its Baytown, Texas, facility.
The company's new domestic capacity is designed to address increased short- and long-term material demands in the microcellular foam and solid elastomer markets. The investment made within Baytown's MDI complex expands the site's polyurethane production capabilities for monomeric MDI isocyanates.
"The growth of our Mondur CD isocyanate material in applications such as rollerblade wheels, sport footwear, and automotive steering wheels has made this capacity investment a necessity," said Don Birnie, director of MDI product management at Bayer Polymers Americas. "The Mondur CD isocyanate production we've added at Baytown strengthens our leading polyurethane supplier position in the Americas, and complements our global production capabilities."
Mondur CD isocyanate is an important chemical constituent in the production of polyurethane microcellular foams and elastomers. Microcellular foams, for example, are used in the manufacture of appliance handles, exercise equipment, and footwear. Elastomers find application in the automotive, electronic, and sport and recreation industries.
Additional Global MDI Capacity Expansion News
As announced earlier, Bayer currently has a global MDI capacity of around 800,000 tons/year and plans to increase this by 120,000 tons to a total of some 920,000 tons/year by 2006. Bayer currently produces MDI at seven sites throughout the world. An eighth facility at Caojing, Shanghai (China), is in the final planning stage.
In Baytown, the company plans to expand its MDI capacity from its present level of 230,000 tons/year to 300,000 tons/year. Annual MDI capacity in Tarragona, Spain is also scheduled to increase from 100,000 to 150,000 tons by 2006. This will necessitate an expansion in aniline production at the Antwerp site in Belgium over the same period.
In addition to these expansions, Bayer also recently announced plans to add MDI capacity in Caojing, China, in two stages. Work is due to begin shortly on the construction of a facility for the production of polymeric and monomeric MDI from crude MDI, which should be completed by 2006. Production start-up for MDI is scheduled for 2008 with an annual capacity of 230,000 tons.
For more information on Mondur CD isocyanate and Bayer Polymers‘ complete line of polyurethane materials contact Bayer Polymers at 1-800-662-2927 or visit www.BayerPolymers.com