BASF and Dow mull biggest ever TDI plant in Europe

Ludwigshafen, Germany –BASF AG and Dow Chemical Co. are to conduct a joint feasibility study for a new 300-kilotonnes-per-annum toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and precursors plant at one of their sites in Europe.

If the project goes ahead, the facility would be the largest such facility ever built and would become operational in 2011, according to a 21 Nov statement from the chemicals groups. TDI is a key feedstock for the production of polyurethane materials.

“With this approach we solidify our commitment to the global TDI market by evaluating additional production capabilities,” said Jacques Delmoitiez, president of BASF’s Polyurethanes division. “

“Although this is an early-stage feasibility study, we believe the world’s top two chemical companies can create a world-class TDI facility,” added Pat Dawson, business vice president, Dow Polyurethanes.

The TDI venture is the second recent cooperation between Dow and BASF in the polyurethanes industry -- following their joint development of a process to produce propylene oxide via hydrogen peroxide (HPPO) technology.

In September, the partners staged a groundbreaking ceremony for their first world-scale HPPO plant at BASF's site in Antwerp, Belgium. Dow and BASF said they are now considering the development of additional HPPO projects in other regions, including Asia.